By Amy Webb, IJNet Digital Media Consultant

I know that many of you are looking to transition into digital journalism either at your current company or as a new career. I spoke with Joshua Hatch, who is a multimedia producer at USA TODAY. He works with talented designers, programmers and journalists of all media stripes to tell stories through video, photos, audio, graphics, text and data. While he's been in the field for many years, Josh has recently undertaken a Master's program at American University. I asked him about how he got started, his idea of terrific multimedia projects and ways for you break into digital journalism.

Amy Webb: Because of the market and because we're seeing so many changes in technology, a lot of journalists with a background in print or broadcast only are looking to make a move into digital. They don't necessarily know how to get started, though. How did you land your job working as a digital producer for USAToday.com?

Joshua Hatch: I got my job through connections, to be honest. Quite a few people I had worked with at Knight Ridder/Tribune had gone to USA TODAY. When a spot opened up there, they called me and the rest is history.

If people hadn't known me, I doubt I would have gotten the job. I was hardly the most-skilled video person or most-skilled audio person or Flash person or project manager they could have found. I think the reason I was attractive to USA TODAY was that I had a broad skill set and a long-time familiarity with journalism online.

AW: Are there certain common skills that every multimedia journalist needs to have?

JH: I'm probably biased towards my own skill set, but I think the foundation of a good multimedia producer starts with a solid journalism understanding and background. Add to that a penchant for creative storytelling, a comfort with technology, a willingness to be flexible, the ability to be diplomatic and basic project management skills and you've got the makings of a pretty good multimedia journalist.

AW: It seems like Web journalism is segmented just as traditional journalism has been with each new tech evolution. Before, we had print, radio and TV categories, and each required a certain skill set. But now, it seems like digital journalists are categorized, too: multimedia producers, database, programmers, etc. Do you think it's important for someone who wants to make a career move to "specialize" in one aspect of Web journalism?

JH: Multimedia journalism is so broad and encompasses so much, that nobody could master it all. I've managed, so far, to be successful in knowing a good bit about a lot of things, but I'm an expert in almost nothing. That's probably not the best recipe for success. I would advocate that anyone looking to get into Web journalism get a broad understanding of many aspects, but also become an expert in at least one area. People always need experts.

AW: A lot of IJNet readers live overseas and don't have access to schools or classes. If someone wanted to get started in multimedia production, how could s/he get started? And what would you recommend as the first thing or things to learn?

JH: I think the easiest way to get started is to simply start experimenting. You don't need classes or a degree to make online journalism. Nor do you need lots of expensive equipment. A budget journalist can get a pretty cheap computer -- even a used machine -- for not much money. A Flip video camera costs barely a $100. Blog accounts are free. I say, just start doing it. Learn by doing. That's pretty much been my path.

AW: Newspapers use Adobe's Flash software to produce multimedia stories. Should people just starting out focus on a particular software program, such as Flash, to learn?

JH: Flash and other software packages are simply tools. On one level, becoming expert with a tool can be very useful. There certainly isn't any harm in becoming an expert in it. However, it's not a good idea to be married to a single tool. Tools change and some tools just aren't right for some jobs. Rather than focus on the tools, the passion should start with the story telling. The knowledge and familiarity of Flash or any other tool should extend from that.

AW: How did you learn all of the skills you have? What was your process?

JH: Mostly, I've learned my skills from surrounding myself with people who know more than me. I watch what they do, ask questions, take apart their work, try things on my own and seek their advice. I look for opportunities to play and experiment, and tap knowledge sources ranging from Web sites to books to various other people.

AW: And what about students just starting out? Should they try to take as many programming and design classes as possible?

JH: I think students just starting out should follow their passions. If they really want to write, then write. If they are interested in playing with video, play with video. If they want to try their hand at coding, then start playing with that. There's really no reason not to just try.

Personally, I think people with design and coding skills are in short supply, so it's certainly a good place to be, career-wise. But if it's not for you, then don't force it.

AW: What are your favorite multimedia projects online and IJNet readers can look to as great examples of Web journalism?

JH: My favorite multimedia projects online tend to be pieces that are on the simpler side. I'm busy and fairly impatient, so I don't want to be presented with lots of different options. I'm usually a fan of Brian Storm's work. The Ray Farkas videos are excellent.

Pretty much anything on interactivenarratives.org is worth checking out. I'm also a big fan of lasvegassun.com I think that site is well organized, beautifully laid out and is very easy to use. The prescription interactive is smartly done, though I would have liked to see the map update live as I scroll through the years. It also would be nice to compare drugs. However, it is simple and elegant, and that I like quite a bit. Likewise, they have what I can only describe as the best video play er on the Web. It has all the features and none of the clutter that hobble others.

Of course, I can't not talk about the New York Times. The folks there are brilliant. They create phenomenal multimedia, even if, at times, I think they make them a bit more complicated than necessary. For example, I think this graphic is sheer genius. But, it might be a bit too complicated for most folks.

Then again, this is just great. They set a high bar there, no doubt about it.

AW: What about some of the projects you've worked on?

JH: My favorite multimedia project is my daughter. But from the digital realm, here are a few of the projects I'm proud of:

Answer questions to determine which candidate is closest in views to you... This project was a big one, and the response to it has been huge. It took a lot of research and reporting to "get it right," and though I think it turned out really well, there are a few things I would do differently next time.

Tour Virginia's bluegrass music heritage trail. I like this piece just because it's very pleasant to watch and listen to. In retrospect, I probably could have shortened it a bit.

Tour the North Carolina barbecue trail. I also enjoy this piece because of the characters in it. I just wish our video player was bigger. I shot this in HD, so it seems a shame to show it at 400x225 pixels. It, too, probably could have been shortened.

See how compatible you and your significant other are, when it comes to money. This piece resonates for me because it combines so many different elements, and it's fun.

Discover what it takes to win Olympic gold. I think we did some creative things with these graphics. Be sure to check out the "cool stuff" tab. It's poorly named, but the information behind it is, I think, interesting.

AW: What final piece of advice would you give to a traditional journalist looking to make a change?

JH: Be curious, be flexible and be open-minded. Just try things.

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