If you left the journalism biz today ....

My first choice would be an assistant public information officer/sports information rep at a community college. There are two community colleges within 35 minutes of me who have ex-TV guys in those positions. I think I can do a better job than those guys.

The next option would be wait three years and hope to land a position at a mega car plant being built in our region. Whether it's working in the office or on the line building a better car, I'm sure the pay will be comparable - maybe better.

The local medical center has occasional openings for a staff writer in its marketing department. But after three applications and not one callback for an interview, I've given up on it. Apparently, it doesn't hire worn-out journalists looking for a fresh start.

 

For those who have quit, I wish you the best of luck.

As for the question, its an interesting one. I have been in the journalism game for five years now and pretty much see the path its going on. I have won awards, scooped daily newspapers on a weekly basis and even have been on a weekly television show where ratings have gone up since I joined. But in the area I live in, Washington D.C., landing a gig at The Post is impossible unless you know someone. I am good friends with several reporters that work there and they work full time hours but are considered part time. The paper only has a handful of full-time sports reporters as is and plus there are several in the pipe line to take some high profile gigs.

I am not trying to invest another five years in the biz to be where I am now. I really love the area and don't want to move. I have friends and family here and unless a paper in Chicago, New York or LA comes a calling, I am not moving.

My rant ends with this. I am getting strong interest from a job with The Washington Redskins. Its a mid-level PR job, but if offered the position there is a strong chance I am leaving the biz I love. If you can find the "ideal job" outside of journalism than take it, but don't just take a new job because its not journalism. You will hate it.

 

If I left the business today, I could be very happy spending the ret of my life working for a NHL team.

 

I'd go be the guy who is in the back of every rap song making noises or repeating one word over and over again.

 

I don't know if book writing is considered journalism, but if I left the business, I'd love to write books. And travel.

 

Analogous cliche popped into my head:
From one sinking ship to another.

 

For those of you afraid to make the leap ... there is life after. I swear. Last summer after the layoff, I was terrified. I had no idea whether I had marketable skills or the ability to change directions in the drastic manner I had to.

Guess what? I did.

After spending a miserable winter doing communications for a non-profit, I'm now media relations specialist for a business-type college. I'm writing, I'm busy and, gosh darn it, I'm relaxed and happy.

Who knew?

And P.S. take what I was making at the Sun and multiply it by 1.75.

 

is exotic dancing involved?

 

Sirs, Madames,

This will be the first summer in the last ten that I won't put in at least a couple of weeks of construction work -- have been a part-time employee of my boyhood buddy, a contractor, through the years. Cement finishing, interlocking, that type of thing. Just to show the dog can still hunt. Always loved doing it -- have had to do interviews on the phone with the cement truck in the background. Told the guy on the phone I was at the airport. Hey, some guys golf, I push a wheelbarrow.

YHS, etc

 

I've thought about what I'd do if I left journalism, and all things being what they are, when I do leave, the only up I'll be going is that up.

 

Always has been. Had to put KD on the plates somehow.

 

awesome. totally awesome.