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Getting back in the biz

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by Rhody31, Jun 30, 2014.

  1. Riptide

    Riptide Well-Known Member

    It's not like the old days, you know.
    There aren't many "right situations" out there anymore.

    But I guess the writers can avoid most of the office crap. Most of it.
     
  2. Double Down

    Double Down Well-Known Member

    Rhody: What's wrong with trying to freelance longer pieces about stuff you like/love? Why does "getting back in" mean going back to newspapers? Are you a writer? Is that what you miss? Or is it the camaraderie of the office? The standing in the community? Why not get a little back without marrying yourself to it?
     
  3. SFIND

    SFIND Well-Known Member

    Hey Rhody, a little of topic, but if you never need cash, I'd buy that 300 f2.8 off you in a heartbeat. Good luck -- hope you get it.
     
  4. UNCGrad

    UNCGrad Well-Known Member

    Everyone is different, and if this is the profession that truly speaks to you, and the position is right, that's a decision you have to make. There's something to be said for having a job that makes YOU feel good and important and relevant about YOURSELF.

    That's ultimately what drove me out. I was a Podunk SE for two dailies over 12 years. My last 18 months, I was passed over after interviews with metros twice, and it hit me that I couldn't stand the thought of covering the brothers and sisters of the high school kids I was covering then, and so on. (The last summer of youth baseball would've sent me over the edge.)

    Clearly, I didn't have a passion for Podunk SE-work anymore, and began to feel like I was being left behind in every facet of my life - professionally, socially and even at home with the incredible family I had. I've now been out for four years, and they've been the best four years of my life - professionally, socially and at home. I've been fortunate - I know that - but the last two years in a 9-5, M-F PR job have shown me how much more there is to life than what there appeared to be before.

    It's about being happy in what you do, not just cutting the paycheck. If getting back in is what's better for you and your belief in yourself, perhaps everyone around will benefit from a happier you as well.
     
  5. TigerVols

    TigerVols Well-Known Member

    I'm still trying to figure out what part of a full-time journalism gig the likes the OP is referring to could possibly top the life he's living now?

    The ability of journalists to forgo money, job security, family life, physical health, mental health, and any number of other of life's joys in order to toil away in a profession that's clearly withering away daily thanks to epically bad senior management and pocket-lining plutocratic publishers and owners boggles my mind.

    The term "battered wife syndrome" comes to mind.
     
  6. schiezainc

    schiezainc Well-Known Member

    Knowing Rhody it's strictly, 100 percent about proving himself as a professional journalist.
    Part of it is putting out a great product but it's moreso about putting out a BETTER product than the competition.
    Rhody gets off on being good at what he does and it's why he's been so successful.
    Without being in journalism, it's hard to do that. There's no concrete way to be the best at caddying. There's no way to be the best at being a plumber or a janitor or whatever else job you want to mention.
    With journalism, you get a finished product and whatever your printing cycle is (daily, weekly, etc), you know at the end of every one of those periods, you'll have hard-copy evidence of your abilities.
    Also, I'm willing to bet there's a part of him that's still steaming about the way he was let go from his previous position because it really wasn't about talent at all. If he was fired because he wasn't good or was replaced for someone better, he'd be able to live with it. But because he got let go due to a vindictive manager who is/was completely incompetent in her job, it's got to sting that that's how his career in this industry he loves ended.
    My bet is if/when Rhody does get back into this industry, he's going to work twice as hard to prove how bad a move that was. And he's arrogant enough (in a good way) to do just that.
     
  7. YankeeFan

    YankeeFan Well-Known Member

    schiezainc, I understand what you are saying, and I think all of us want to prove ourselves to someone, or at something, on some level.

    But, I also think we are all happier when we stop tying to please people, and start tying to please ourselves. Sometimes you're never going to live up to a parent's expectations, or an in-laws, or an employers.

    Trying to prove yourself to former employers or colleagues is losing bet. Yes, we'd all love to shove it up the ass of the guy who fired us, but the fact is, these people aren't thinking about you as mush as you think they are, and they're not thinking about you as much as you are thinking about them.

    Living well is the best revenge. But, that doesn't mean hanging on in the same failing industry, just to prove a point.

    The satisfaction you are seeking will never come.

    And, you (not you,) are far better off focusing on trying to be the best husband and father, rather than the best, low paid Rhode Island sports journalist. The rewards will be much greater.

    And, there are other ways to find personal satisfaction.

    I'm nearly done on this topic. I'm sorry if I came off as harsh. But, I really did want Rhody to hear a different opinion, and I'm satisfied that he did hear it, even if he doesn't take the advice. To me, the biggest thing is that journalism just isn't healthy for Rhody. Literally.
     
  8. Rhody31

    Rhody31 Well-Known Member

    Loved all the opinions on this. This place is a wonderful spot to clear the brain and it hasn't let me down yet. OK, maybe once or twice.
    I think we can put this thread to bed.
     
  9. podunk press

    podunk press Active Member

    I don't know if this helps, but I've been out of the biz for a year -- voluntarily.

    I freelance.

    That's more than enough for me.
     
  10. Mark2010

    Mark2010 Active Member

    Yeah, if you can find something else to do full-time, freelancing is a good deal.
     
  11. LanceyHoward

    LanceyHoward Well-Known Member

    I am sure Sara Ganim has always been a big time talent. But at paper the size of Harrisburg or larger is anyone other than perhaps a columnist with a recognized name not expendible. I think she was the police reporter. How many non-relatives buy a paper for the police reporters byline?

    Not a knock on Ms. Gamin. Instead, a statement on the nature of the newspaper industry and for that matter corporate America.
     
  12. Songbird

    Songbird Well-Known Member

    Before we do say Goodnight, Gracie, there's one more thing: You wrote that you love the competition of it all, that, in essence, you're in it for the awards. In my mind that's the worst reason to get back into it. When I read one of your longer posts, the thing that came across to me is that you really just want to get back at someone for being wronged the way you were wronged. I don't think this is about proving yourself. You know you can do it. We know you can do it. Colleagues and peers think you can do it.

    The way I read it, I'm not sure if you're in it for the love of the game or because FUCK YOU, OLD BOSS, I'M DOING IT! if that makes any sense. Which, I guess, goes back to what I said in my first post here: Really be honest with yourself. At the end of the day, behind the closed door of your heart and soul, what is it you truly desire?

    If covering local sports at a newspaper is the No. 1 reason, far ahead of the other reasons, then go for it.

    But if the decision is doused in vengeance or tinged with 1ST PLACE! I'd think long and hard about it, again.
     
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