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Is it worth staying in news?
1–16 out of 16 messages
| Author | Message |
| Newsguy567 |
Posted - 7/9/2012 11:51:50 PM | show profile | email poster | flag this post
I'm currently a reporter and starting to rethink my career. Is it worth it at the end. Because the pay seems to really suck and hours. Working in Public Relations just seems more glamours with much better pay and you can live where you want. Opinions? |
| rodrustrules |
Posted - 7/10/2012 1:28:25 AM | show profile | flag this post
I do love the many news people who think they can just slide right into a great PR job with zero training or experience. imagine if a PR person just popped into your newsroom one day and announced they wanted to anchor? |
| RKellogg |
Posted - 7/10/2012 2:38:26 AM | show profile | flag this post
this is still a great business. the original poster's problem, though, may be a dearth of success in a trade for which he/she is unsuited. i've said this before, but where could someone like me--minority, crappy family, lousy college, no real connections--spend three years in a dipshit market and then move up to six figures in a top five shop? moreover, i'm not through climbing, and my agents have a lot of faith in my future earning power. admittedly, i may have moved up the ladder a little too quickly, but managers have handled me with care and understand the value of a solid performer with a poised delivery. people, i grew up with less than nothing. and i really never expected to be where i am. the key remains talent and one fears the cat who started this thread has precious little. |
| justaskin' |
Posted - 7/10/2012 4:41:21 AM | show profile | flag this post
of course it's a great business but it is not a 9 to 5 job. either you cut the mustard or you don't. PR people basically work 9 to 5. Yes, they can make more money. But a PR person will never have the life experiences a reporter has. A PR person will never get recognized in the supermarket. A PR person will never be able to say that they put a crook in jail or got an innocent man released. To the original poster. PLEASE go into PR and let someone who really wants your job to get it. Because if you stay in the business half heartedly, you will likely cause some experienced reporter who is paid more to lose his job, and you will prevent some other newcomer to business from getting a break. In the end, you will hurt your community and the rest of us too. Go into PR tomorrow. Please. Go. |
| Roger Ales |
Posted - 7/10/2012 11:47:45 PM | show profile | flag this post
... Not sure why Mel took the opportunity to exclaim how great he is. Ego much? To the original poster, good luck. You'll have to "look deep within yourself," as they say, and examine what will make you happy. Many of us have had the same thoughts of finding a more lucrative business, even people like myself in a top 20 market, or people who work with Mel (and surely have the inside scoop on how wonderful he is.) If you don't like your time in PR or other industry, you can always try to re-enter the TV news business. It's not like it'd be game over. Although certainly would set you back. |
| RKellogg |
Posted - 7/11/2012 1:02:04 AM | show profile | flag this post
Clearly, the original poster is some sad sack who isn't cut out for the top (or a spelling bee). And why work in any profession if you don't stand a chance of reaching the top? As for me, ego matters in the lives of all successful people. Try denying that with a straight face. If you don't believe in yourself, you'll be condemned to a career in Mayberry and dinner at the Dairy Queen. |
| rodrustrules |
Posted - 7/11/2012 2:26:39 AM | show profile | flag this post
mel sounds like a complete utter blowhard people who really ARE great don't have to say so |
| justaskin' |
Posted - 7/11/2012 5:21:56 AM | show profile | flag this post
About "Mel" Is this the same "Mel" who altered his handle a bit... the same "Mel" who claimed to work at the the CBS stations in LA who was ultra critical of others? How many would choose the handle "Mel"?? |
| Lynden |
Posted - 7/11/2012 10:45:58 AM | show profile | email poster | flag this post
Is it worth staying in news. This is a funny thread. I spent years in major market news, and now just as long in PR. You don't need to disrespect one for the other, but neither should you imagine that either one requires genius. Both jobs can show you the world and introduce you to fascinating people. In news, you get to observe great events. In PR, you get to participate in great events. In large cities, the money is good in both. In either job, you may meet rocket scientists or brain surgeons, but there is a reason they are not your co workers. PR peeps and News peeps... Get over yourselves. |
| DefenderOfTheFaith |
Posted - 7/11/2012 2:28:22 PM | show profile | flag this post
think for a moment about "mel." and then think about those who reach the apex of broadcasting (and truly large salaries). most if not all think mainly about themselves--not co-workers. their careers are in sharp focus and they don't come to work to make friends. mel probably has what it takes to get ahead, regardless of whether he rubs some of you the wrong way. accordingly, one regrets this site is largely populated by rather dim underachievers. "mel" certainly has one thing right: if you get into a business to stay in the middle--or are satisfied with life as a nonentity--don't expect waves of support or approval. mean, ugly and underhanded things happen in television. unless you can dodge the bullets and become numb to others getting screwed over, you will be covering boy scout jamborees in louisville or indianapolis or k.c. or whatever third-tier city will have you. and you'll be thinking about those of us who flew over the cuckoo's nest into the major leagues, money and acclaim. |
| Roger Ales |
Posted - 7/11/2012 3:22:05 PM | show profile | flag this post
... Newsguy, I'd suggest you talk to PR people -- or maybe Lynden wants to chime in -- about how they were able to crack into the industry without PR experience, and whether they love it, or regret leaving news. Most of us in TV news have only known the TV news industry. The point about Mel, and people like him, is.... don't you realize THIS BUSINESS IS SUBJECTIVE? For every ND who thinks you're great, there's five others who aren't impressed by your reel. And yes, once my contract is over, I'm planning to keep moving up the ladder and go from a top 20 to a better-paying top 5 market. But here's the thing about anchors and others in those "Indianapolis" type markets that've been mentioned -- they're making pretty good money! Would you rather be a reporter or reporter/anchor in expensive-L.A. making 75k to 90k? Or a big dog anchor in market 30ish making 200k a year?? And low expenses. Doesn't seem like a bad life to me... |
| Roger Ales |
Posted - 7/11/2012 3:26:01 PM | show profile | flag this post
And yes, the salary ranges I mentioned can be argued. But you know there are people in sunny Los Angeles, for example, making five figures or low six figures. And they are solid anchors in markets 20 and 30, etc, making 250k. Don't tell me that's not desirable for all of us who started in Podunk, Nebraska making 20k a year. |
| Roger Ales |
Posted - 7/11/2012 3:26:45 PM | show profile | flag this post
And yes, the salary ranges I mentioned can be argued. But you know there are people in sunny Los Angeles, for example, making five figures or low six figures. And there are solid anchors in markets 20 and 30, etc, making 250k. Don't tell me that's not desirable for all of us who started in Podunk, Nebraska making 20k a year. |
| bostonclam |
Posted - 7/11/2012 10:45:50 PM | show profile | flag this post
Lemme tell ya about Indianapolis. as long as someone brought it up, there may be a worse city in the u.s., but naptown is a strong contender for the dumbest, most racist, worst-dressed, and most overweight--and a capital for the bozo-born-again crowd. i had to spend almost four years there before decamping to boston. and if you like church-going, bigoted republicans, indianapolis is for you. as far as newspeople are concerned, anyone who's good eventually leaves. the lifers are mostly losers who couldn't get decent offers from the bigtime. the place isn't too fond of jews, hispanics or blacks (just ask mike tyson). this town is america as imagined by the romney crowd. |
| gdiamante |
Posted - 7/12/2012 7:06:07 PM | show profile | flag this post
Newsguy, bottom line: News should only be practiced by us poor saps who cannot live without it. I've worked out of the business in jobs that allegedly were 9 to 5 with more glamour. Note the word "allegedly." Spent more time, took home less money! I wasn't happier by any means. So I'm back in. I'm happier. |
| justaskin' |
Posted - 7/14/2012 8:59:53 AM | show profile | flag this post
Real work is in other businesses Newsguy consider this if you move outside of news: Even though there is no "security" in the news business, there is less security in the outside business world. I don't know of anyone in marketing or PR or advertising who has a contract or any kind of job security. We in the news business joke that we are as good as our last story, but in the PR or advertising or marketing business you really are as good as your last project. You will also be starting at the bottom and building your credentials and credibility from the bottom. You may be expected to bring in new business, new clients, new revenue. Can you sell and do your job at the same time? The other man's grass is always greener. Looking back from the other side of the fence you might not realize until then how good you have it now. |
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