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Q. I am a night cops and general assignment reporter at a large circulation newspaper, and I am considering a job at a well-respected weekly business newspaper as a health care industry reporter. I have some experience doing investigative reporting and am seriously considering the position because I'm interested in having a substantive beat on which I can do more enterprise as well as in-depth, analytical stories.

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I am interested in finding out if business reporting on that level would be enjoyable for me. However, I'm worried that if I prefer news reporting to business reporting, it'll be harder to go back to daily news reporting. Will it hurt my chances of going back to a large circulation newspaper in the metro/news department if I take this position? I fear that if I stay on the large circulation metro daily newspaper track, it'll take me much, much longer to get into a substantive beat that would allow me do more investigative stories. Would taking this job limit my options? What would be the best move for me?

Caught in a Dilemma

A. This is an important decision, but I think you are on a good track.

This sounds to me to be a very safe way to transition into beat reporting quickly and to leave yourself open for future options.

Joe Grimm

Business reporting can be a good route to pursue because comparatively few traditional journalists choose it. There is a much greater demand for jobs in metro or features departments.

The beat you are considering, however, exists at most large newspapers -- and it is found in metro, business and features departments.

You'll have to deal with office culture and a new city, but as far as the assignment goes, I think you are about to make a smart move.