>> I think the most important thing is to make sure
that your skills as a journalist are rock solid.
Using social media is a test of your judgment every single day, and not just every single day
but several, several times a day depending on how much you're Tweeting.
I would make sure that you know exactly how to make those ethical decisions.
Work with editors so that you can develop that sense.
Become a great writer.
Become a great journalist.
Know what questions to ask.
Know what makes for an interesting detail
and then those skills you'll be able to apply to Twitter.
There aren't so many skills that are unique entirely to social media
that you would want to start out on that end.
I would encourage people to just build a core proficiency, experiment as much as you can
with Twitter and other tools and whatever comes up, give it a shot.
A lot of it comes with simple experience.
During my internships I learned firsthand how to make that snap decision.
Do I quote this person, do I not?
Do I use the word allegedly here, do I not?
Learning how to make those decisions on the fly is what really makes you a great journalist,
and that doesn't immediately come.
That doesn't just come in the textbooks.
It's great to learn that way but getting writing experience, working with professionals,
working with professors who are happy to mentor you, that's how you really kind
of develop that sense as a journalist.