I was laid off Friday, now what do I do?

I have debated doing this all weekend because I don't know how productive it will be, but I thought maybe it's useful not only for myself but all of the other people who are or will be in my situation in the near future.

I'm logging on under a new account because I have this to share: I was one of the people laid off by The Athletic on Friday. I am here because I have no idea where the hell to turn next.

Obviously our world has gone to shit in the last four months and I get that. I am trying not to be bitter about what has happened, even though our company's owners told tried to be "transparent" with company wide meetings to tell us everything will be okay. Even though a number of people who still work at the company, including my ex-boss, punched a timecard that said eight hours a day but was 7.5 hours a day less. From talking to now former colleagues that seems very common at that place, a great disappearing act. I'd love to know why I was chosen. I made probably the least amount of money of anyone employed there and always assumed I did a good job. Nobody could tell me why.

I'm in my mid 30s. I'm single. I live in a place where even in a booming economy there aren't a whole lot of journalism jobs. I have built my journalism career by hopping from small town to larger town to small city to university city to larger city and got every single job by networking and knowing someone who got me in the door. That's how I got where I was and I'm proud of it.

But because I have done that I have limited marketable skills. I have a resume focused on a newspaper career that I figure nobody at any other company is going to care that I covered the Gator Bowl one year. I have actually tried for years to get out of journalism and applied for lots of openings (marketing, SID work, corporate communications, technical writing, whatever other boring garbage) and never get a sniff. Funny story: The only place in the last 48 months that contacted me was the time I applied to work installing home security systems. I applied for that job just because I was so pissed off by the whole system and so skeptical that I didn't even think someone would contact me back. Of course they did. I ignored them.

For a lot of people this company was a dream job. A place where they treat people well. Again its only been a few days but I have very much learned it's just another media company. Don't let the door hit you where the good lord split you.

Basically I don't know what to do. I don't know where to turn. Are there career counselors who talk to people who are 37 and steer them toward new jobs? I should probably start looking for graduate programs that are not even remotely related to journalism, but is it even possible to make such a move at my age? Can I even afford to do that? Do they care that I got a 3.2 GPA at State U a dozen years ago? What if I spend all that money that I probably don't have and spend two years getting a graduate degree and that industry sucks too?

So many of you on this board are not involved in sports journalism anymore, which I have learned by interacting with many of you and reading your posts for the last decade. How did you make the switch? And if you didn't and you're just one of the people here posting, what do your industries look for?

I know I'm not the only person at a career crossroads but I'm really stuck. I don't really need a pep talk (okay, maybe I do) but some actual substantive advice for me and anyone else would be helpful.

It took me enough courage to sit here after 60 hours and post this so, maybe take it easy a little on me too? Thanks for listening.

 

37 is not old believe it or not. Look, with so many online degrees now, you actually should get a degree in something else. What else? Just think about it and see what you are up for. Law? Engineering? 37 is not old. Do you need to put food on the table as you pursue an online degree (or 2) quickly? Think about being the overnight guy at a grocery store or Walgreens. Or a hotel? The overnight guy. You'll get a job faster than you think. Or apply to all the rental car companies and work there as a car mover or cleaner you pursue your degree. Or ... pursue freelance writing as you do your online degree. Or ... a security guard at concerts or for local sporting events if they ever return, just to put food on the table. I mean that all sounds bad, but I bet if sports come back, "some" websites will need part time reporters. If you have money saved and don't need to put food on the table, then you might not need one of these jobs to tide you over.

37 is NOT too old to get degreed up with SOMETHING ELSE.
And yes ... there are placement counselors. A GOOD company would have offered you some names through HR. Even if you were 47 that wouldn't be too old to plan on a different course.
Online classes are the new rage.

 

NB, I have wondered about the money people at The Athletic, and how they pay the bills.
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I subscribed after the Super Bowl, mostly to follow the Saints, the SEC, and the NFL. They've got great talent, but so far, I've been largely underwhelmed. Doubt I'll re-up.

I worked in the Gulf South at 5 different daily newspapers, 17 years in Coastal Mississippi, six in Baton Rouge and nine at three papers in Greater Houston, the final one being Conroe. Also I did 3 years on the border, and I put it that way because it was more like Mexico City down there than Texas. But I digress.

Other than my father's death in 2009, getting laid off at a paper where I spent almost half my career, just 18 months later, felt like the rest of the ton of bricks that hit me the first time.

I grew attached to the area, was there for Katrina, of course. The newspaper company that owned the paper during the hurricane knew what they were doing and sent an army of reporters, editors, and shooters to Biloxi-Gulfport. With a well stocked newsroom, for a change, we did great things. My role branched out from sports for the first time, on an everyday basis, for almost two months. I became the metro columnist.

The paper won a Pulitzer. I've got my miniature Pulitzer, but I left all the other awards at my last stop before here.

The impersonal way they did the layoff, bringing me in the first day of a vacation, and putting on a dog-and-pony show how they decided who stayed and who was leaving (namely me), and then actually WORKING a couple M-F weeks to get my severance pay was beyond humiliating. But that was there game, so I played along.

I went to bars, restaurants and waitresses who knew me from the paper first and as a carouser second thought I was putting them on. I assured them, no, I'm gone.

A friend of mine in Texas hired me 14 months later. I was a sports editor for the first time, and while I never longed to be one, it was a two-man staff with a third guy at a satellite weekly paper. Until my final year, I was hamstrung by a young asshole who didn't answer his phone when we were both out in the field. He wanted the job and took it out on me that he was passed up.

My last 9-10 months there were fun. New guy with some experience came in, much more of a team player. We did a little more -- well, a lot more -- than the paper normally did. Some college coverage to go with the extensive HS coverage. A sampling of Houston pro sports when there was enough time (and interest) to do so. Took some chances. Came up with an impressive product.

My "friend," however, hated my politics, and wasn't big on Mr. Muscatel's new-and-improved sports section. No more of the assembly line bullshit.

So on January 3, 2016 he fired me. I immediately filed for unemployment, much to my former employer's chagrin. The Texas Employment Commission got my performance evals. I got my unemployment. So that's a layoff instead of a firing in my book.

My last job was a total clusterfuck with a terrible newspaper, an awful parent company, and horseshit editors. I won't go into the specifics, but looking back, they did me a favor giving me the gas after 6-7 months.

I'm semi-retired now and will never work for another newspaper again. Wild horses couldn't bring me back. Have gotten some work over the last nine months or so, and I am enjoying it. Have some goals outside the daily paper and am pursuing them.

NB, if you're 37 you've got options. I kinda decided to re-invent myself but stay in sports writing. I'm not sure what the hell else I can do.

Wish you the best, NB. It's really, really hard. It's been 9 years since the big layoff and I can remember every fucking detail, up to the last day.

Fuck 'em.

 

Still in the business, but I've actually started back to school this summer on a second bachelor's degree. I love the job I have and want to keep it as long as I can; that said, I definitely feel the need to cover my ass in case it all falls apart, which it almost certainly will before I'm ready to retire.

I'm doing it at 45, so if you're in your 30s you're *definitely* not too young to pivot or give yourself some insurance. If this is what you love doing, keep trying to do it...but also get a parachute packed for yourself ASAP in the meantime.

 

Thanks for a great post. I encourage everybody to read every word. People get on me about suits but this person's story is a prime example of why Fredrick really truly is down on "most" suits. This guy who does a great job gets fired and the company is upset he files for unemployment?? Helping win a Pulitzer and given the axe? This guy is one of our best and brightest obviously and yes, it upsets Fredrick the way we treat our best and brightest. Am I a little tough on suits? I prefer to say I (over)react at posts such at this as I shed real tears for the best and brightest.
p.s. This is the only business I've ever heard of in which some fellow journalists actually are neutral (or sometimes sympathetic) to reasons for the way we send our "name" columnists and reporters and copy editors packing. Rather than keep a supurb columnist who makes 120,000 dollars, we "understand" firing her/him and hiring two reporters at 25,000 each. Sorry, I'll always speak up against getting rid of the "name" columnist. Because guess what? The byline DOES matter to readers who have abandoned newspapers in droves because of the decline in quality of the product.

 

First, I’m sorry for the lay-off.

Second, I agree with Fredrick on his first post.

Third, what the fuck did I just say?

Fourth, anyways, 37 is not that old to change. I went back to school at 36 during the Great Recession after a lay-off. The night and weekend classes had a lot of “adults” like me, who were looking into career changes. The morning classes had mostly “kids”, who were nearly half my age. It felt a little weird, but that was all, and strangely, I did better in the classes than I did when I was spending a good chunk of time at keg parties.

Fifthly, as part of No. 4, if you’re looking as schooling, look at online classes. My wife also went back to school 20 years after she got her associate’s, and it took her about 3 semesters, but she got her degree. She also was able to get credits for “lifetime learning” due to life experiences that she has. She also was able to essentially do it for free, because we weren’t making much money, and there were some state worker training programs available (not to get political, but we live in a blue state, which helps). Ask your labor department and unemployment office about these programs. Also, see if your state has online education schools, which are cheaper than private colleges.

Sixth, if you’re unsure about schooling, think about what you might want to do, and maybe just take one or two classes at first to see if it’s something you like, instead of diving headfirst full-time.

And seventh, keep in mind that losing one’s job is one of the most stressful things, outside of death and divorce, that a person can undergo. Take time to mourn the loss of your job, take time for yourself. Go for walks, exercise, talk to friends and family, and take a lot of deep breaths.

 

IF you want to stay in newspapering, I would strongly encourage considering community papers. Yes, the pandemic has hit them hard, as well. But not all are folding. The paper I work at is part of a little 6-paper chain. Our owner is a super person who care about his employees.

Most of us had big dreams, at some point. But I have found working at my little weekly rewarding. You pretty much have to do it all, but I adjusted. You can, too. Working in small-town America can be a big shock, but there are also rewards.

You have received some excellent advice above. I commend those folks for taking all the time they did to try to help you.

At the end of the day, as they have opined, you're still young. Don't give up but explore possibilities. I respect your candor and sincerely wish you all the best.

 

First of all, good post. Been there. It's awful. The worst part is you really start to doubt yourself and everything about yourself. Don't. Fight that urge with everything you have.

I took a buyout at age 34-35, and spent three months living with the severance package and then about six months not working at all. I was miserable and living in a place I didn't want to be. It's a bad combination.

Here's what I suggest you do: Sit down and make a list about what you really want to do. What excites you. What might some possibilities (selling real estate, etc.). Where do you want to live. Try and think if it as an opportunity, although I know that's hard.

But here's the ultimate question: Can you not not do it. Yes, that's two nots in a row. What I mean is do you feel so passionately about sports journalism that you can't not do it?

That'll help you get a direction, because if you feel that strongly about it then fight with everything you have to keep doing it.

If not, go do something else.

I decided to fight. I moved across the country, determined to restart my career, and did so. Three times during one 4-5 year stretch the entire staff I worked with was completely let go.

You know what? I'm still going. But that's what it took.

Hope that helps.

 

Hang in there, my friend.

I changed careers entirely at the age of 35. If you're willing and adaptable and persistent, anything is possible.

 

So! I'm 36, first started getting checks from journalism when I was 20 in college. I got hired as a writer and editor for a public university this year, on the eve of the pandemic, of all times. They interviewed me on a Wednesday, and offered me the job the next day. The skills you have as a sports reporter, especially if you got hired by The Athletic - ability to write in a dependable and clear matter on deadline - is highly desirable to institutions like universities, technical writing outfits and advertising agencies, groups that do grant writing, and so on. Your resume and skills are probably more attractive than you realize.

It seems bleak because you just got laid off, but you can find another gig in an adjacent field, without going back to school or anything. And, for myself and pretty much everyone else I know who used to be in journalism, we're all happier in our non-journalism gigs now.

The hard part, obviously, is the pandemic - Not as many places are hiring, and if you were in journalism, you might not have much savings built up at all. While I moved over to a new field eventually, it took me nine months to find the job. (The time frame was drawn out a bit because I was freelancing for a paper and basically doing all the home-related moving stuff for my fiancee, while also trying to find a job.) My fiancee has a really good job, so I was able to be choosy, but I realize that might not be a luxury that you have, if you're single and don't have much family financial support.

 

In all seriousness, 37 is the cutoff for joining the military. With your background, you could be a public affairs specialist. The Air Force and Coast Guard would be your best bets.

 

Long time listener, first time caller. Been perusing this site since college in the late 2000's when this industry seemed like a good idea. I vaguely remember a Chris Jones post that I read a few times and an analogy about the person whose job you want being unhappy with their job. Anyways, I got the urge to post yesterday. I am sorry about reading about your layoff today.

The doomsday scenario you described has been beating around my head for the past couple years. I'm sure there are dozens on this board experiencing the same. For those in particular (you might be a tad late on this, New Beginnings, I apologize), but the advice I would give to you is prepare for this moment -- prepare for it as you would a journalist.

A couple thoughts: At any size publication, you are likely to receive e-mails from readers, either criticism or compliments, story ideas and what not. Perhaps some of these people you have responded to or keyed up a quick conversation with. Keep those e-mails handy -- many of them are from a reader's work e-mail, with contact information. I have spent significant time over the past year forwarding many of those e-mails to my personal account, because when your time comes, you won't be able to access that information any longer.

My thinking behind this is that you could have established a personal connection with that person through your writing; a lot of these people think sports writers are really cool; there are jobs out there, if you're willing to shake the tree for them as much as you're willing to shake out the information.

Also: PR e-mails. How many of them do you get on a daily basis that we just ignore? The vast majority - if not all, I'm sure there's some bots out there - come from actual people who have actual PR jobs. I did not tackle the task of the PR e-mails, but if you're set on that direction, I certainly would. And if you're in that situation, you're also probably overdue for a contact refresher, meaning you better get all those numbers out of your work phone and e-mails out of your work e-mail.

The absolute doomsday, nightmare scenario for me is getting that call and not being prepared for it.

I have not hit the eject button on my career yet. I suspect it will be hit for me. But I cannot stress the kind of comfort that seems to come with having that information at my, and the thousands of contacts that I have accrued over the years.

I enjoyed posting but I'm out the door. I'm picking up some labor work with a buddy during the mornings. Hope this helps someone.