Most in the position of handing out photo assignments are not going to give one to you unless you show that you already can do it. So how do you get experience shooting the kinds of assignments you have to have experience to get?

The answer is self-assignment, meaning you have to create mock assignments and shoot them as if you are being paid. Whether you simply imitate things already published in newspapers or magazines, or use original ideas that you came up with, you have to put together a portfolio of work showing you can either tell a story or capture a feeling or the personality of a subject with pictures.

At the same time, you need to hone an efficient and professional workflow that will include communicating with any of a number of people (some of whom will need to be pursuaded to do certain things or allow YOU to do certain things); organizing your equipment, materials, and transportation to be in the right place at the right time; and learning to work under the pressure of a deadline.

Oh, one more little thing: you need to make sure you've become a good photographer... ;)