Media Career Guide: Preparing for Jobs in the 21st Century, Seventh Edition [Paperback]

James Seguin (Author), Sherri Hope Culver (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0312560826 | ISBN-13: 978-0312560829 | Publication Date: May 22, 2009 | Edition: Seventh Edition

The guide to getting that first media job Media Career Guide provides students with all the information they need to prepare for and conduct a successful communication-related job search. The manual includes an overview of the employment prospects for today’s student and provides a comprehensive directory of media jobs including positions in print, radio, broadcast, online, new media, and advertising. In addition, guidelines walk students through the entire process — from how to research an industry or company and writing resumes to preparing for interviews and appropriate on-the-job behavior — making this an ideal resource for students.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James Seguin is a professor of communication at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh. He is also President of Creative Video, Inc. and has received awards for his television and video productions.

Sherri Hope Culver is an assistant professor of Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Mass Media at Temple University and serves as Director for the university’s Media Education Lab. She also has extensive experience as a television producer and consultant to public broadcasting.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's; Seventh Edition edition (May 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312560826
• ISBN-13: 978-0312560829
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #773,345 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Media Career Guid to prepare for your future, October 20, 2005

By 

Candra Nazzaro - See all my reviews

This review is from: Media Career Guide: Preparing for Jobs in the 21st Century (Paperback)

When reading Media career guide: preparing for jobs in the 21st century, by James Seguin, I found it to be very useful as a future graduate and communications student. I think that it is an extremely beneficial resource for anybody in college, graduating from college, or just starting out. It is filled with so much information that anybody who reads it will learn something new.

Seguin discusses everything from how to find out what you want to do in communications, to how to advance in the future. It is a fairly easy read because it is organized so well and every chapter in it can be interesting to the reader. The book guides the reader from college to the working world and tells the reader how to succeed. Most of the suggestions are thought provoking because they are ideas most people have never thought of to advance themselves in the communications world.

This book tells information that will help a person throughout their entire career in communications. It also helps the reader to decide what specific field and position they would like to enter. A few times it lists the different possible career opportunities, and in part it tells how much a person could make in some different positions. For some people, that is a big deciding factor, which makes this book different. Rather than just listing each type of job, Seguin goes further. He tells the reader how to obtain the job, things to do to improve in the job, and what a person could expect in the future. It is up to date information and discusses relevant skills that a person should have such as internet and computer skills.

The career guide is one that anybody going into communications should read; it is organized very well and is probably the best resource that I have as a student in communications. While some people can talk about a profession they have in communications, this book tells people everything about communications. It does not limit the reader to learning about just one field; however, even if somebody already knows what they want to do it is still helpful. Included in the guide are sample resumes, and those are always helpful to students. Along with the resumes is a list of technological terms that people should know going into a communications field.

Not only is the guide insightful, but it can be motivational as well. In some sections Seguin basically tells you to do things for you. For example, you want to "make it [college] pay off for you." Seguin is motivating and writes clearly throughout the entire guide. For a clear guide to what communications has to offer, this guide is very thorough and gives the reader a true inside look.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great and Useful Source, October 21, 2005

By 

Bridget Holmstrom (Elon, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Media Career Guide: Preparing for Jobs in the 21st Century (Paperback)

"Media Career Guide 5" is an extremely helpful book for students. A major thing the author works to do is to give an inside look and good advice for those preparing to enter the job market. The book is aimed towards those interested in the communications field. James Seguin gives a good overview of available jobs, things that will help you in getting a job, and how to be successful in what you want to do.
The first chapter of the book introduces some general ideas and statistics for those starting out in the media/communications field. Then the author goes on to explain where the jobs are and how people can prepare for positions in the field. Such simple ideas as being knowledgeable about a spectrum of things, keeping up on important readings and the news, and even learning how to be a good researcher are focused on. The author makes a strong point that people in this field need to be well-rounded individuals in order to be successful in their positions. Developing mentors and building relationships are also included as helpful career-finding techniques.
The job directory section of the book is a great resource as well. It explains and introduces many possible career options. For some, this might include things that they had not previously considered. The "Media Career Guide 5" can greatly help people who are unsure about future plans for this reason. Various options are described, giving media/communications students more ideas for areas to focus on when searching for jobs. Seguin concludes that the best thing for new media professionals searching for jobs to do is keep their options open. If you have a regional preference, move to a new location before you begin your job search. Most importantly, make sure to be prepared for whatever might come your way. Preparation is key, and only in being prepared can you be certain to get what you want.
This book is a great resource for students in the media/communications field. The advice Seguin gives is sure to help any student learn more about starting a media career. The job directory and suggestions for those interested in this type of career are invaluable to students. After thoroughly reading this book and taking all the advice given to heart, I believe that those entering the media/communications field will reap the benefits and only prosper from the advice the author gives.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Media Career Guide 5, October 21, 2005

By 

Christina Pompeo (Elon, NC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Media Career Guide: Preparing for Jobs in the 21st Century (Paperback)

Media Career Guide 5 by James Seguin is a beneficial read for anyone interested in obtaining a career within the media. Although the book is under 100 pages, it provides useful information for finding a career. An overview of the media and communication job market offers a thorough review of job prospects now and in the near future. It aides in preparing you in what to expect when you enter the media workforce and what you should know when you get there.

The book includes a helpful guide to finding a job and beginning a career, the text offers job directories, career guidance, self-evaluation tools, attitude checks, suggested readings, and strategies for print and electronic job research. Sample resumes are included for a variety of media industries that provide helpful models for students.

One of the most informative parts if Seguin's book was the list of the 34 "Strategies for Success." The author lists everything from basic computer skills to things such as knowing all aspects of the company you are about to work for. I also found the job directory portion of the book to be especially helpful. The directory lists various titles within the industry and a description as to what the position does. This is especially helpful when wondering about what kind of specific duties you may have in your profession. The book also includes sample resumes of professionals in the communications field. There is a resume for almost any career in media and they are good examples as to what to include and what not to include in your resume.

I enjoyed reading the book and did gain some knowledge from it however when I finished reading I felt as if I had already known a lot of the information. It seemed as though some of the content of the book was somewhat obvious. This particular information would be very helpful for say a senior in high school who is exploring major options and particular careers. I think that when one enters college they quickly learn the things that Sequin points out in their classes. Although I didn't learn much from this book, I found it very helpful in completing a resume and knowing exactly what kinds of jobs are out there. This book is a quick read so I would recommend it to anyone interested in a media career.