Job Responsibilities
Generate news articles for daily paper, as well as "centerpiece"
packages that include orchestrating art, graphics and stories for
front page. It's a daily grind -- usually 5 hours for reporting
and writing daily story, another 3 hunting down larger stories
for centerpieces.
|
Job Requirements
You need at least an undergraduate degree, likely in journalism
although there are some English majors here. Many have graduate
degrees, but experience is more important. Get internships and
get published clips as early as possible.
|
Uppers
Some places -- like where I work -- gives you the freedom to structure your day,
write about what interests you and fight for what you think is important.
Reporters are an essential part of the community and can change policy. Plus,
before long, you'll learn how the world works better than any one else. Except
maybe the rich.
|
Downers
Well, you're not the rich. Plus, it's a daily grind, which can
really burn you out. Editors have the final say, and sometimes
you disagree. Crummy editors are the worst kind of bad bosses,
because in this field your work is mercilessly criticized. You
much develop a tough skin. If you do, you can get the glory of
breaking a big story that the whole town talks about.
|
Lifestyle
The hours are the best. I work 10-6. I can take sources to lunch on the company
dime. Sometimes you can travel for stories. Dress code is rather casual, unless
you cover government meetings where you have to look nice. Most newspapers are
filled with white workers, which is a real shame. Sometimes it's difficult to
leave work at work, because you make the news. Reporters tend to be heavy
drinkers. Party hard, play hard.
|
Compensation
Newspapers can start pretty low. I started at $27,000 and in 5
years now make $40,000. The medical benefits are good with
Scripps, but that varies. This isn't the business to be in to
make money. It's the business to be in to make a difference.
|
Advice to Jobseekers
There will always be a need for newspapers -- or at least
editorial content. If you have the chutzpah to ask any question,
to understand the big picture and care about people's lives, this
is it.
|
