Expanding my network

I'm meeting some real interesting people in online journalism, thanks to the suggestion of University of Florida professor Lauren Hertel to look outside the box from the normal Web sites I hit up daily, like Facebook and HockeyBuzz.

I joined the Online News Association for an affordable student rate of $25 for the year. That has given me access to a database of hundreds of people also involved with online journalism, which I can search by place, employer, whatever, to make connections. Unfortunately I'm the only student at DePaul currently subscribed, as far as I can tell, but there's a lot of contacts in Chicago listed.

I also hopped onto the social network Wired Journalists. There's about 2,500 members there, and this site includes various groups, forums, and of course tons of member profiles for journalists interested in new media. It looks like a great place to network, and it looks like a great place to do some reading too -- I've already found several fascinating blogs there.

These will likely become part of my daily dose when I wake up in the morning. They'll allow me to connect with people like me, with similar interests and ambitions, in this ever-changing world of journalism.

If you're interested in online journalism like me, and you're not a member of ONA, take a look at the organization. And if you're looking for something that won't cost you a penny, stop by Wired Journalists and get connected with likewise professionals! Certainly can't hurt.