13
votes
Journalists, how did you get into your profession?
I'm looking at making a major career change and I'm considering trying out one of our local newspapers to see if I can get into a semi regular gig with them. Is there anything in particular I should know or be looking for?
My best advice is to not think of it as a writing job. It's an audience development job. It's fast-paced for low wages. Like other industries, it's going through a transition thanks to the large amounts of audience data being collected. That data will likely dictate coverage decisions. All hail the almighty algorithm.
Every once in a while, you will have a Very Bad Day and see some shit that reminds you how disgusting humanity is. After you read that, you probably thought of something terrible. You'll see things twice as bad. Having a dark sense of humor helps.
You will also have some Very Good Days and go places and get to do cool stuff for free. You'll also get to shake hands with a lot of powerful people. That never really impressed me much, but it can lead to some excellent job opportunities in the future.
Other journalists tend to be incredible people. They're intelligent and driven, and they crack jokes faster than comedians. It's how they cope.
Overall, it's a good career so long as you don't mind being poor.
Well, I'm already dirt poor, so poor would be a slight step up.
Thanks for a well thought out response. I don't foresee too many issues as far as what I'll see etc. I've had enough life experience at this point that there isn't a lot left that shocks me about humanity
No problem. Feel free to message me if you ever need to.
I am not a journalist, but I did hold a news clerk job, basically apprentice/cub reporter to a news room. The established writers who acknowledged my existence, encouraged me to get into public relations or technical writing.