A journalism job is thrilling. A journalism career is risky business
I always knew journalism is a rejection-based industry. I’m always going to get at least 50 “no’s” before a hesitant “yes.” The cut-throat nature doesn’t scare me much.
For me, the hardest part about the journalism industry is being so sure that it’s what I’m meant to do while having the unpredictability tell me otherwise.
Not too long ago, I was three years deep into a psychology degree yet caring less and less about the material. It wasn’t the science of it that disinterested me, nor was the constant exams testing my short-lived knowledge on neural synapses and human behaviors. What drove me away from pursuing the psychiatry path was its blueprint.
Psychiatrists need a high degree. Medical school is a must, then comes a four-year residency. Then, maybe one day, a private practice. Sure, there are various ways to go about the process, but it’s overall pretty much the same.
The thought of having a formula as to how things were supposed to turn out scared me, and that’s when I decided to jump on probably one of the hardest professions in the world — journalism.
I’ve been reporting for nearly two years now. No other work I’ve done compares to the thrill I feel while chasing a story or the moment I realize I’ve gotten the perfect pull quote during the interview. When I’m reporting, I get invested. I get to jump from one niche to another with beats, I get to ask questions that most won’t and I genuinely enjoy talking to people whom I’d never meet if I wasn’t in this profession. I thrive on the pressure and chaos that comes with tight deadlines, and as of right now, I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Having covered breaking news and enterprise stories, embracing uncertainty is simply a part of my job. And when I graduated from S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications with a master’s degree in multimedia journalism, I thought I’d easily maintain that same mindset during my job search.
I started working full-time right after graduation. I was juggling between two editorial fellowships and getting clips, but my unease about the future never settled.
Now, both my contracts have ended, and I am three weeks into my job search. My anxiety lingers, and my insecurities creep in.
Truth is, a journalism job is thrilling, but a journalism career is risky business.
A total of 7,200 people were laid off from their media jobs this year alone, according to Business Insider. Companies are resizing, and budget cuts prompt big publishers to shrink their teams. Print magazines and newspapers are striving to find their place in the digital world. Recruiters prefer investing in experienced workers rather than training young hires; they need that safe bet. Newsroom employment is dropping three times faster than they’re hiring, and as a recent graduate, an aspiring journalist, an eager jobseeker — I wonder where I fall on that hire-ability spectrum. What does this all mean for me?
For about two months now, I’ve met up with about 20 people in media-related roles for informational interviews. A part of it is for networking purposes. Mostly, I want to get a realistic take on the media industry outside of my bubble. I’ve talked to product managers, career coaches, senior editors, branding specialists and multimedia reporters.
To my surprise, the majority of them said they’ve freelanced. They freelanced to get clips. They freelanced to get exposure. To them, freelancing was a part of their blueprint — a milestone or leeway to get them to their goals.
Long-time career coach Elizabeth Atcheson says most of her freelancing clients fall into one of two buckets. They’re either a freelancer by choice because they can afford to and need the flexibility or a freelancer only until they can snag a job.
“As a freelancer, you don’t get benefits,” Atcheson says. “The other downsides of freelancing are constantly hunting for new business and having to be skilled at marketing yourself. It’s tiring.”
When looking for a journalism job, having legitimate, digital clips are crucial. An “entry-level” staff writer job requires at least five years of reporting experience. Catching on to the trend, I decide to freelance while being on the job search too.
Looking back at graduation four months ago, here’s what I would’ve done differently.
Start freelancing sooner
Freelancing doesn’t just get you the clips that you need, but it also connects you with the right people. Though my next job might not fulfill my passion for business writing or beat reporting, my freelancing gig might. Taking up small writing assignments at publications you admire can up your chances for future hires. Building a strong relationship with an editor can give you the mentorship that would help in the long run.
The earlier you start freelancing, the better you’ll get use to pitching. Learning how to craft a compelling pitch is a skill, and figuring out how to persuade your editor that your story’s worth publishing via email takes practice. Freelancing is a humbling gig, and it also teaches the importance in being persistent.
Realize that networking is a lot less formal
People are a lot more open to getting coffee if you show the initiative. I used to treat networking phone calls and meetings like formal interviews. I overthink before sending emails. I tried too hard to impress and failed to focus on the whole purpose of networking — to make a connection.
Networking should feel natural. Recognize that you’re simply jumping on the call to learn more, not ask for a job.
More focus on up-skilling
The media industry is constantly changing, and I’ve noticed that recruiters are looking for candidates who can take on multiple roles in one. Being skilled in writing simply isn’t enough nowadays. I’m currently working on enhancing my understanding in content management systems and data analytic skills. Understanding SEO is a game changer, and multimedia skills is often an expectation.
Focus on up-skilling and adopting new skills to add on to your résumé is one way to show that you have more to bring to the table.
Weng Cheong is a recent graduate at S.I. Newhouse School of Communications, Syracuse University. This piece is a part one of her capstone requirements. Cheong is currently a freelancer.
Check out Cheong’s portfolio here.
