I can think of no one better to ask for some practical advice. I'm 23 years old and I just quit a year-long stint as a reporter for a tiny newspaper in a small town in Northwest Arkansas (Bella Vista). I was one of two reporters on the paper, the pay was terrible, there was no chance for a raise, and my transit was over two hours a day. I've wanted to be a journalist since I was a kid but I'm beginning to feel more and more that getting a job doing RESPECTABLE journalism (rather than corporate, sensationalist, or glorified newsletters) is next to impossible because of the state of the industry as a whole.
What I'm trying to suss out is how much of my despair is a reasonable reaction to the shrinking staffs of local newspapers all over the country and how much is my own rationalization. What advice would you give to wannabe journalists in their early 20s who can't seem to break through? Should I pull out now? Move to a city? Or remain at a newspaper that relies almost on community news and fluff pieces for circulation (and which could potentially be a dead end)? Were you ever in a similar situation early in your career?
Your interviews and work have been an inspiration to me. You constantly remind me what a noble profession journalism can be when it's not being abused. Thank you.
cwood060920 karma
Hi David,
I can think of no one better to ask for some practical advice. I'm 23 years old and I just quit a year-long stint as a reporter for a tiny newspaper in a small town in Northwest Arkansas (Bella Vista). I was one of two reporters on the paper, the pay was terrible, there was no chance for a raise, and my transit was over two hours a day. I've wanted to be a journalist since I was a kid but I'm beginning to feel more and more that getting a job doing RESPECTABLE journalism (rather than corporate, sensationalist, or glorified newsletters) is next to impossible because of the state of the industry as a whole.
What I'm trying to suss out is how much of my despair is a reasonable reaction to the shrinking staffs of local newspapers all over the country and how much is my own rationalization. What advice would you give to wannabe journalists in their early 20s who can't seem to break through? Should I pull out now? Move to a city? Or remain at a newspaper that relies almost on community news and fluff pieces for circulation (and which could potentially be a dead end)? Were you ever in a similar situation early in your career?
Your interviews and work have been an inspiration to me. You constantly remind me what a noble profession journalism can be when it's not being abused. Thank you.
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