7 tips on how to handle rejection as a student journalist

In the media industry, rejection can be experienced on a regular basis. For students who are preparing to go into the industry, it can be disheartening. So, what are the best ways to deal with rejection? 

It’s not just in jobs where you can be rejected. Student journalists can experience rejections from interviews for stories that they are working on. Aaron Stokes speaks to freelance journalist Ellen Manning and journalism lecturer Dr Trust Matsilele to uncover ways to tackle rejection.

Rejection can sometimes be viewed as this big X but is this always the case? Photo Credit: Resource Database via UnSplash

1. It’s not personal 
   

While the experience of rejection can feel disheartening, it is important to remember that it is not personal. Photo Credit: Annie Spratt via UnSplash

When you are trying to secure that interview you need for a piece and your source says no or doesn't respond, it can feel personal. However, it is important to remember that it's not. There can be an unlimited number of reasons why they have not got back to you, it doesn't mean that they don't like your angle or story.

As the Media Bistro suggests, the writing industry (especially news) is not immune to seasonality. But what does this mean? Well, sometimes during the year certain key dates or tight budgets may mean that editors are unable to take on work from freelancers or even students. So, what are some of the ways to help combat the seasonality? 

One of the ways to do this is to plan and create a news diary. This lets you to see what events and such are coming up throughout the year. This will leave you more time to plan your pieces and hopefully face less rejection.

2. Turn the negative into a positive

Sometimes in a bad situation, a positive can emerge. Photo Credit: Carson Masterson via UnSplash

When work or requests gets rejected, it's important to remember that it is not personal. This means while the piece may not get commissioned, or the interview you need for your piece falls through, there is always the chance that there have been positive comments from the editor so make sure you remember them! In the long run, this will help when it comes to maintaining morale. 

There will be times when you request an interview, but your first source can't help, they may suggest someone else to speak to. So, when this happens, don't give up as there can always be a second opportunity waiting.

3. This sounds harsh, but rejection is a part of the industry.  

Rejection can be part of the industry, so sometimes it needs to be considered before entering the industry. Photo Credit: Tyler Franta via UnSplash

"Rejection is part of a writer’s life” according to Daphne Gray-Grant. This means when stories are being pitched, the reality of it not being commissioned must be remembered. This does not mean that the feeling of rejection will hurt any less, however, going into a pitch with this mentality can make the initial submission process less anxiety-inducing. 

“Rejection is certainly part and parcel of the industry” explained Dr Trust Matsilele, a senior lecturer at Birmingham City University. So, when trying to get into the industry, it is something that needs to be considered and prepared for.  

There is also “no rejection, rejection” according to freelance journalist Ellen Manning. When people experience this, it can hit you hard but the more it happens, the easier it becomes. This is due to how common this can be within the freelance industry according to Ellen. 

4. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. 

Working on a different topic or task can sometimes help if you have just experienced rejection. Photo Credit: Miguel Tomás via UnSplash.

Gray-Grant also suggests working on multiple pieces at the same time can help. While this may sound daunting in the beginning balancing multiple stories at once it will mean that you will have a distraction to continue working on if your story is not commissioned by an editor, in this case it can be your lecturer. This also will give you more options as to what you can pitch, increasing your chances of one of these pieces becoming successful. 

5. e

The more this is practiced, the easier it becomes in the long run. Photo Credit: Adolfo Félix via UnSplash

Over time, the feeling of rejection becomes less painful according to Colleen Welsch. So, the more you push yourself and send pitches, interview requests, the more you can build up a level of immunity to rejection. Jia Jiang’s Ted Talk shows how this works, he looked for rejection for 100 days straight! This shows some proof that the more you try, the easier it becomes. The barrier comes from making that leap to putting yourself out there initially. 

6. Set up a support group 

Whether the support group be in person or online, it can really help to share experiences. Photo Credit: Marvin Meyer

In the journalism industry, it is important to make sure that you have a support network around you. Doing this can really help when you have a space to share your experiences. Ellen says: “It’s vital that student journalists support each other... and be willing to help each other.” Some of the ways she thinks this can be done can be through social media and in person. 

7. Ask for advice 

Going to peers or even members of the industry can help when you are stuck with something. Photo Credit: Christina @ wocintechchat.com via UnSplash

Working journalists will often be experiencing issues that students have, especially around rejection. Ellen says: “I don’t think students should feel that they can’t ask for help.” This is because the journalism industry is an industry where people aim to help each other.  

It will be tricky the first few times you face rejection however, the more you put yourself out there the easier it becomes!