By Katie Jickling

Presenters/Panelists

Alison Bethel McKenzie, Executive Director, Society of Professional Journalists (@bethelmckenzie)

Amy Bracken, independent reporter and radio producer (@brackenamy)

Elise Hu, NPR staff reporter/host and former Korea  and Japan bureau chief (@elisewho)

Moderated by Monica Williams, Training Manager at Society of Professional Journalists (@monicalwilliams)

The lead

Journalists who have reported abroad offered tips for how to find international work — and how to survive once you’re there.

The Top Five

• Looking for jobs overseas? Be open to different opportunities: fellowships, short-term projects, and jobs in local news outlets in your destination country. Consider a variety of feature stories, writing for airline magazines, travel publications, etc. Be creative!

  1. If you’re just dipping a toe in the water of overseas reporting, go someplace where you know the language.

  2. When reporting in other countries, be willing to lay down your assumptions about how you’ll be treated as a woman and where you’ll live. Learn the local norms and language. Be wise about which battles you choose to fight.

  3. If you can’t find a journalism job, consider a hybrid gig, and work part-time with a nonprofit.

The Surprise

Start working for under-covered countries. Jobs are hard to get in places like Europe, where there are more amenities and more interest from journalists. Get a first job under your belt, then go to your country of choice.

The Resources

Federation of American Women’s Club Overseas
International New York Times
Financial Times
Round Earth Media
IJnet