Hello! Sorry for my delay in responding to this.

Are you currently a high school senior? If you’re interested in reporting, I encourage you to apply for the Asian American Journalists Association’s J Camp. It’s a great program that’s free to student participants. You’ll learn how to be a journalist across platforms: print, Web, video, photo. And you’ll meet some great professional journalists as well as make some amazing connections with other students from around the country.

J Camp looks for diversity in its participants — you need not be Asian American to apply. Just make sure you meet the March 16, 2012, deadline!

Where are you based? You should look into joining a local chapter of whichever professional journalism you feel an affinity to: AAJA, the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, the Native American Journalists Association, and the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association are just a few to choose from. You’re likely to find active student members near you.

When you’re looking at a college, find one that has active outlets for journalism. Majoring in journalism or communications is less important than the real-world experience you would gain working on the school paper or for the TV or radio station. That said, I had a wonderful experience at the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism, and I recommend its program wholeheartedly.

Write back if I can help with more questions!

Good luck, and maybe we’ll see your byline or your live shots soon!