colleges for sportswriters? -- Virtually Advising Q+A

The Q: I want to be a sportswriter. Which colleges should I consider for this occupation?

The A: Just about any school with a journalism program would probably suit you well as far as sportswriting is concerned. As far as I know there is no major specifically in sportswriting, but even if there were I don't know how much I'd recommend it: sportswriting is awfully specific, after all, and what if you come across something else you enjoy more while you're in college?

Anyway, the sports part of sportswriting will come a little bit later: The more important thing is that, when you get to college, you begin to build up your writing/reporting knowledge and skills. When you hunt for colleges, seek out schools with strong journalism programs, or with large communications/writing programs that offer journalism concentrations. You don't need to take courses specifically in sportswriting, though obviously it'd be pretty cool if one was offered. Most of your sports-specific training, though, will probably come from working for the college newspaper (particularly if the college has a strong sports program), or landing internships with professional newspapers near your college, that kind of thing.

Incidentally, one of the best sources of info about how to become a sportswriter is sportswriters themselves. If you've got a little spare time this summer, consider calling up or writing letters to some of the writers you most admire; I bet more than a few would be thrilled to walk an up-and-coming protege through the steps they took to get where they are today.

—Myles Helfand, General Advisor