How To Get West Coast Media Jobs and Opportunities

There’s a misconception that the whole media industry is based in New York City. Although many media outlets are based in the Big Apple, it’s still possible to have a sustainable freelance career outside of NYC. We’ve compiled a guide to looking for media jobs and opportunities on the West Coast.

Keep Up With The Local Media

According to Benjamin Cassidy, a journalist based in Seattle, it’s “important to situate yourself” in your city by keeping up local media. He suggests that by reading local media, you’ll get a better sense of what types of stories and conversations are being covered. 

Be Open-Minded

Cassidy suggests that when looking for media jobs and opportunities, you should keep an open mind. 

“Even if the job you are applying for doesn’t seem exactly what you want to be doing, getting a foot in the door is quicker to get to where you want to go,” he says. 

Especially during the start of your career, it can be helpful to take up new opportunities to build up your portfolio and experience. 

With Study Hall’s Opportunity Finder, you can find pitch calls and jobs in the journalism industry.  

Take Opportunities To Network 

Katherine Gammon, a science journalist based in Los Angeles, says that networking events are crucial because “the West Coast in general is not a place that you’re going to just be bumping into people and rubbing shoulders the way you would in the New York media world.” 

She founded a group called SoCal Science Writers that throws happy hours for local journalists. In addition, she recommends the local chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists. 

Ruksana Hussain, a journalist based in Los Angeles, says that she’s joined the LA Press Club and online editorial groups. 

“It helped to network with people and get a feel for what was going on in the local industry and who I could connect with and make introductions,” she says.

She also suggests volunteering to judge local industry competitions and annual journalism awards. 

“That’s a great place to get to know who editors are,” she says. 

Local Stories Provide an Opportunity

“I think something that’s sort of invigorating about reporting on the West Coast is that the media market isn’t so saturated,” Cassidy says. “You might have a story idea, and nobody’s reported on it yet, or only one other person has sort of started to touch on it, but maybe hasn’t reported the angle that you’re interested in.” 

When communicating with editors, you should let them know that you’re open to any assignments that require some local reporting in the West Coast. You never know what type of stories editors are looking to assign and how you can help their outlet. In your email reaching out to editors, you should include previous clips, your general beat, and anything else you think could be advantageous. 

Selen Ozturk, a journalist based in San Francisco, says that going to local events is a fantastic way to get a “good sense of the beat you want to cover.” For instance, she has attended events hosted by housing advocacy organizations that assisted with her coverage. 

Going to events can also be an opportunity to find out where there’s a gap in coverage. 

“If you were into arts, go to arts related events and ask people what isn’t being covered enough,” she suggests.

West Coast Fellowships

Ozturk cites the Hearst Journalism fellowship, the Knight Foundation fellowship, and a local news fellowship from UC Berkeley as options. 

Adjust To Timezone

Since many of the editors you’re working with may be based on another timezone, it’s important to adjust when necessary. Usually, some transparency with your editors in the initial exchanges when getting assigned a piece will do the trick. 

Opportunity Finder is streamlining the process of finding editors, searching for rates, and sifting through pitch guides. This is a product built by former freelancers who have firsthand experience with pitching and contacting editors. Try Opportunity Finder.