Despite concerns about the news industry, graduates are finding opportunities across digital, broadcast and in nonprofit media.

As we move toward the end of the academic year at Fresno State and look ahead to the commencement ceremonies on May 15 and 16, I’ve been taking stock of my work this year as a college journalism instructor.

That reflection naturally returns me to the core questions that have guided my teaching throughout the semester: Did my lectures and writing assignments meaningfully strengthen students’ ability to become thoughtful, precise storytellers? Did instruction in reporting fundamentals—identifying strong stories, approaching sources with purpose, and asking sharper, more intentional questions—translate into stronger journalistic practice in their work?

By most measures, I believe the answer is yes. I recognize my perspective is inherently shaped by my biased classroom experience, but I’ve seen students leave our reporting and writing courses with skills they are actively carrying into internships and early careers.

Some secured internships this year, and what has been especially encouraging is not only that they earned these opportunities, but that they have thrived once they arrived. Some have already been hired into full-time positions—a strong indication that their work is resonating beyond the classroom.

This question also arises frequently when we meet prospective students and their parents during recruitment: “Are there still jobs in journalism?” The answer is yes, but those jobs are evolving, and they are far less concentrated in the traditional daily newspapers that once defined the profession.

When I began at The Fresno Bee at age 19, I assumed I could build an entire career there, provided I avoided a major misstep. That assumption reflected a very different media landscape than we see today.

Today, journalism careers are distributed across a far broader ecosystem. Opportunities exist in digital-first newsrooms and startups, where storytelling is faster, more multimedia-driven, and increasingly shaped by audience engagement. Television and radio remain important, but they are now deeply integrated with digital platforms, streaming and social media.

Beyond traditional outlets, many journalists are building careers in podcasting, documentary production, and newsletter-based reporting. Others move into roles in audience development, data journalism, and investigative work within nonprofit news organizations. Still others apply their skills in communications roles at universities, corporations, and public agencies, where strong reporting and writing remain essential.

At Fresno State, we have supported the San Joaquin Valley journalism ecosystem by helping channel grants into newsrooms to offset the cost of internships. The Mellon Foundation has been especially instrumental in this effort, providing a $5 million grant in 2024. In addition, the Institute for Media and Public Trust has funded a health reporting fellowship and supported a student researcher in gaining experience in health reporting.

The newsroom may have changed dramatically, but the need for capable journalists has not diminished. What has changed is where those skills are applied, and how flexibly they must be used.

Employers have taken notice. Increasingly, students are stepping into professional environments and meeting expectations with adaptability, curiosity, and growing confidence—whether reporting on deadline, conducting interviews with care and precision, or responding constructively to editorial feedback. These are no longer theoretical exercises; they are real-world demands.

Watching that transition—from classroom assignments to professional performance—has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my past eight years of teaching college journalism. It reinforces that the fundamentals we emphasized together—clear writing, strong sourcing, ethical reporting, and intentional storytelling—are not only taking hold, but are beinbg used in practice.

Students are carrying these habits forward and using them to establish themselves as reliable journalists early in their careers.

As they move ahead, I’m confident these experiences will continue to shape their development. They leave our classrooms not only with technical skills, but also with a developing sense of professional identity and purpose. They are also gaining the adaptability needed to navigate a rapidly evolving media environment.

Taken together, these outcomes speak to the broader value of our work. By combining hands-on experience with strong ethical grounding, we are preparing students who are not only job-ready, but also capable of contributing meaningfully to the future of journalism.