Ask the Recruiter

Q. I've totally fallen in love with a small paper. The beat is my ideal one, with some really great fodder for stories -- got my socks rolling, if you will. I clicked with the staff immediately, and they seem to love their jobs. The area is beautiful, the parent company is superb, and the wages and benefits are very respectable. I feel I could be insanely happy here, adore my job and learn a ton.

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My one reservation -- I've had a number of internships, two of which were at big dailies, and I wonder if I should be trying to leverage more out of my experience rather than work for a 26,000 circulation. I've had some bites from other big dailies and a wire service, but didn't like any of them half as well.

I feel like I've happened upon something special. But professionally speaking, should I be looking bigger?

Thanks.

Small is Beautiful

A. Trust your instincts.

Joe Grimm

You have outlined several good reasons why you should defy conventional wisdom and work at this paper. It would be foolish to deny what you know and what you feel to follow the crowd. I think you would regret it.

Start your career in the way that seems best to you. If circumstances change so that you want to get onto the career path that most editors prescribe, there will be plenty of time to do that later -- and you will do it without very many regrets for having pursued a rare opportunity. The lessons you learn could be just what you need to assure future success.

The recruiter asks back: We'd like to hear from people who love working at small papers. What keeps you there? Please leave a comment for us.

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Coming Thursday: She has been working for a local business association but wants to restart her career in journalism. Local editors have offered to take freelance work from her, and her husband has a steady job. Should she jump?

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