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Topic: From newspapers to where?
| Author | Message |
| GAGirl | Posted – 2/17/2008 12:20:48 PM | show profile | email poster I've worked in newspapers for five years. I've worked as a reporter (features and general assignment- covering education, business, government meetings, etc.) and a news assistant. I've also done some editing, proofreading and working with freelancers, though I've never held the title of editor in any capacity. I'm ready for a change and want to get out of newspapers. I'm interested in magazines, book publishing, public relations.... Where's the best place to go if you have a background in newspapers? That is, without having to move somewhere really expensive without getting paid a livable wage. I wouldn't mind living somewhere expensive, but I'd just like to get paid a decent amount. Any help would be much appreciated. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 2/17/2008 4:48:42 PM | show profile | email poster Might consider regional magazines as a next step. You may have enough experience and ability to actually edit one. Or trade publications -- the money's better there, I think. I went from newspaper to editing and writing for regional magazines, and from there to freelancing for trade mags and national mags. It's doable, but if you want to do that, do your homework and read up on the skills it takes. The backdoor would be freelancing, if you can do it while you're working full-time, unless income's not an issue. Good luck! |
| candylilacs | Posted – 2/17/2008 9:09:58 PM | show profile Who are your contacts? Any local universities? They often hire for their communications team. Also look around and don't be afraid to branch out, maybe you might like grantwriting, since it does use some of the same skills as a reporter. Also researchers/analysts, interviewer for a private investigation firm (usually investigating insurance claims) or other similar job, not just in publishing. In fact, two reporters from where I live went to work with a PI firm and were paid well. (Another wento to PR and another to a local university.) There's definitely life after newspapers. Good luck! ------ http://www.mswritesguide.blogspot.com |
| writesonwater | Posted – 2/18/2008 9:03:20 AM | show profile ooh, good one, candy. Yes, school PR == depending on where you're at, school districts pick up newspaper people for PR because they really need someone who knows how local papers work. |
| GAGirl | Posted – 2/18/2008 10:18:14 AM | show profile | email poster I've considered going PR for a local school district. However, the school district I currently cover doesn't have a PR department or a media liaision. Is there any way to broach the subject of switching to PR for the school district with the superintendent, without being unethical in my current position as a newspaper reporter? |
| candylilacs | Posted – 2/18/2008 1:59:43 PM | show profile Only if you take that person out to lunch (you pay) and you make it clear that you're asking about job opportunities elsewhere and not as a reporter. It's a gamble, because there's always the chance it can get back to your editor which may or may not be ideal. Also look at the local community colleges and universities. They usually do have a media department. ------ http://www.mswritesguide.blogspot.com |
| writesonwater | Posted – 2/18/2008 8:54:54 PM | show profile | email poster Check with your state school PR association. There's an NSPRA, and there's a Texas SPRA ... you may find leads to openings there. Also, more and more public school districts are going that direction, so keep an eye out for districts that are headed in that direction. In Texas, it strikes me that when a district hits around 5,000 students, that seems to be when they thjink about a full-time PR person, who may also be responsible for other things. Often, in smaller districts (under 15k kids) the PR person will do a variety of things, from newsletter to website to press releases to crisis mgmt to photography to writing speeches to ... you name it. Some things can be jobbed out if they're not your forte (graphic design, web work). It's actually fun work, and newspaper can be a great training ground for it. ------ http://writingporch.blogspot.com/ http://jlouiselarson.blogspot.com/ http://familyrootsandwings.blogspot.com/ |
