Thanks for your blog! You give great advice. Here's a question for you:
How hard is it to return to journalism once you leave it for public relations?
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I've been at my current position -- reporter for one
of the state's
largest dailies -- ever since I graduated from college six years ago.
For six years, I have done good work there, winning several awards. I
also adore my co-workers. But everything else about the job is a
problem: pay, benefits, hours, management's decisions and lack of
respect for employees. I'd like to make a change and stay in
journalism, but there are only three large dailies in my state. The
other two are owned by conglomerates, and they simply move in reporters
from their other newspapers when openings occur.
I recently interviewed for a PR position at a local college. It's
part time, with a good chance of quickly turning full time if that's
what I want. It sounds interesting, challenging and fun ... and though
I haven't discussed salary details yet, I'm sure the paycheck will be a
step up for me. I'd like to try something new and keep up my clips by
freelancing. But if I do this and then decide I want to go back to
reporting in a year or five years or 10, will I be able to? Or will I
be shunned as a sellout?
You will face two problems in returning to journalism after a
journey into public relations. The first will be the one you
anticipate: reservations about your commitment.
The second will be that journalism is embarking on such widespread
changes in the leap to online that your skills could quickly become
outdated.
As you are still in your first job and wondering about a return to
journalism even before you leave, I suggest you try one more newspaper
first.
Coming Wednesday: He wonders what steps he should take now to become a professor later in his career.
