Use a recordable CD to present your reading, interviewing and production skills.
Every track should contain one of the following items without any dead air in front of or between tracks:

NEWSCAST: Record but DO NOT EDIT a 2-2.5 minute newscast beginning with an introduction and ending with weather. You can say, "with KRUI news, I'm so-and-so" if you have in fact worked for KRUI, or you can use the name of the station where you are applying for a job. Include 4-5 short stories. You can use stories with actualities to demonstrate your ability to run a clean board.

INTERVIEW: Record, and edit if needed, a 3-5 minute interview with one or more sources., Face-to-face interviews are best, but if you have a real celebrity on the other side of the phone line - go for it. Demonstrate your ability to ask sharp, meaningful questions in a brief, concise manner. Do not ask long, flowery questions just to show you have done your homework.

PACKAGE: Include one or two of your very best packages that are not too long, but have deep enough content. It would be nice to vary the style: one feature, one documentary. Here are some criteria for selection: strong news value, engaging narrative, good sound quality, skillful use of ambient sound, excellent delivery, and overall compelling story.

LABEL: Use a Sharpie pen to label the CD with your name. On the jacket, write your address, phone and e-mail address.

-From Gayane Torosyan

University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Office of Internships and Assessment -- E324 Adler Journalism Building
telephone: 335-1406
jmc-internships@uiowa.edu