How to get a "semi-internship" or part-time job at newspaper?

Hi all,

So, going to college, I am in dire need of a little extra cash. I have been wanting to go shoot professional sporting events and the like for a while now, or to go and work for a local newspaper shooting whatever they needed. I am curious as to how I would go about doing this. Obviously, I need to take a resumé with me and try to set up an interview. Here is the thing, I have never done this with photography. Do I take some kind of portfolio with my best pictures in it, how should it look? I have all sorts of questions, and I just figured I would ask this in here and see if any of you have been in my shoes at one time, before I go make a fool of myself.

Any help will be appreciated,
Thanks,
Mike

Also, if any one if a part of sportsshooter.com, please PM me. I am looking into trying to join, and I already have one solid reference, although, the more the better, I'm sure.

Mike-

Most newspapers I know of use mainly staff photographers who are full time salaried employees. However many will also accept submissions from freelance photographers. For instance there was a large fire here in Winnipeg the other day, and it happened to be about 2 blocks from where I go to school. So I grabbed my camera and ran down to it and snapped some shots. I got in touch with the editor of one of the newspapers and they ended up buying some of my photos.

So if you are looking for some extra cash, freelance is probably the way to go for you.
I'd suggest first finding out which publications in your area accept freelance submissions. Then I'd buy a police scanner and just book it to any major calls you hear. One tip an editor just gave me is that most papers have a lack of staff photographers between 12am-3am. So if you have the time to photograph events in that time frame, it will give you a better chance to get in. Staff photographer photos will always get preferance, so it can be tough to be them out. Other then that just try to cultivate good relationship with the editors you keep in contact with. That will be your best oppertunity to get your foot in the door.

Good luck :)

If you're getting into it, a weekly may be easier to get on with, if there's one around. I freelance for a weekly paper (I'm also a journalism major) and I also shoot photos for them when I do stories. If you're wanting to do just photos, I'd bring a portfolio to show them what you can do. That's been my experience with it. Just get your resume and portfolio out and network.

Thanks!