WSJ survey: Newspaper reporter is worst job in U.S.

We have like eight full-timers in our newsroom and only one works a second job. It's obviously all about cost of living. If you're married and he/she works full-time, there's obviously going to be less of a need to work a second job.

But for those papers that are still paying less than 24,000 a year to start for single, young reporters, I could see having to have a second job. There aren't many regular daily papers that are above 5,000 circ., paying that low in my area, but I'd certainly believe it in other areas.

 

I misunderstood. That makes sense, and I do know a few who do freelancing on the side for extra cash.

I was thinking more along the lines of bank teller during the mornings, copy editor at night.

 

For two years, I was a copy editor/designer at night while going to school full time during the day. Including summer classes. God, that sucked. Kudos to those keeping a second job.

 

Many years ago I was working in a smallish TV market. I got a big promotion and then a couple of months later had someone else's job responsibilities added to mine -- all without a pay raise. I went to my boss to ask for a raise and she told me I was overpaid at $20k a year, and suggested I get a second job. She proudly pointed out that the station's main anchor was also a maitre d' at a big restaurant in town.

 

Wasn't she concerned that it made the station "look bad?"

 

I see no reason why it should be. At least in the following example.

Miami Heat beat reporter is asked to do a story on the Heat for some magazine's NBA preview issue.

Other than actually writing the preview, just about all the work (background knowledge, interviews, etc.) has been done for his main job. He writes the preview in two hours, cashes a decent-sized check.

This isn't a second job. It's easy money tapping the resources your main job provides.

 

That's when you start stealing the copper from the building.

 

Remarkably, no. She seemed proud.

 

Tell her you could get a job as a jizz-wiper at the local crank-and-yank peep show theater. That would probably be good PR for the station too.

 

About 3 months later I was working in a bigger market with a roughly 75% raise and the Maitre D' was anchoring on CNN. Worked out OK.

 

Mr. News Editor should have "strongly suggested" that Mr. Publisher pony up the gas mileage and some compensation for his driving time for Mr. Editor to do his grocery shopping 25 miles away. Barring that, Mr. News Editor should have "strongly suggested" that unless Mr. Publisher wanted further embarrasment, that Mr. Publisher give him a nice raise so he wouldn't have to use food stamps.

 

Maybe about 1/2 of our staff has second jobs. Mostly retail kind of stuff, some waiting tables. I count myself because I sell photography at craft shows on the side.