Hattiesburg, Miss - When Kim Willis decided to pursue a degree in news editorial journalism at The University of Southern Mississippi 25 years ago, she was frequently reminded by friends and family of the apparent risks.

The newspaper industry was facing new competition due to the proliferation of television news, and profitability was a growing issue. Despite these concerns, the enterprising journalism student stayed the course.

Willis, now the features editor at USA Today, returned to her alma mater Monday, sharing insight with Southern Miss journalism students about new trends and challenges surfacing in the news industry.

“The newspaper industry is going through some pretty dramatic changes right now,” Willis said. “Newspaper readership has largely shifted from traditional print editions to online editions. Advertising, however, has struggled to adapt to the new medium.”

Prior to becoming the features editor for USA Today, Willis worked for the Clarion Ledger as entertainment editor, copy editor and page designer. During her college career, she worked as features editor for the Student Printz and was editor of the Southerner yearbook. In addition to her current position at USA Today, she also serves as chair of the newspaper’s accuracy task force.

According to Willis, not only has the pervasive digital medium created sharp drops in circulation rates and profits for most newspapers, but it has also redefined the skill sets that aspiring journalism students need to succeed in the industry.

“No longer can a reporter do the job with just a pen and a pad,” Willis said. “They are now expected to take pictures, shoot and edit videos, edit sound clips, and post material on the Web. That’s in addition to all the traditional news reporting activities that once typified the daily lives of journalists.”

Meredith Price, a junior photojournalism and political science major who attended the lecture, said Willis gave her a much-needed wake-up call.

“I didn’t quite realize how much preparation is needed just to get a foot in the door,” Price said. “It’s not just about academics; it’s also essential to get experience outside of the classroom and develop skills that traditional journalists don’t have.

“After hearing her talk about these current trends, I’ve decided to go home and get an early jump on researching internship opportunities just to see what kind of qualifications are expected.”

Despite the apparent challenges facing aspiring young journalists, Willis maintains that the industry still holds a lot of promise for students who are willing to go the extra mile to cultivate their professional skills.

“I don’t view these new technological changes as signs of desperate times for future journalists,” Willis explained.  “Students who are persistent and ambitious about learning new things will continue to thrive.”

A two-time Pulitzer Prize juror, Willis offered several pointers for journalism students to improve their marketability in the job market. She encouraged them to learn about emerging applications, such as blogging, multimedia production and digital graphic designing. She also recommended that students gain experience working for the student newspaper and participating in several internships.

Kimberly Hopson, a junior news editorial student, said she was glad to get a realistic perspective on the job market.

“I’m so used to being told that if you go to class, pay attention to the lectures, make good grades and get your degree, then you won’t have a problem finding a job,” Hopson said. “Having the opportunity to get guidance from a prominent professional in the industry really changed my perspective.

“When she talked about how important it is to stay persistent and pursue your goals despite all obstacles, it really resonated with me and inspired me to work harder both in and out of the classroom,” Hopson said.

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About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities.  In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world.  Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.