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Topic: IS ANYBODY LISTENING? WE NEED ADVICE!
| Author | Message |
| Bree | Posted – 3/18/2008 8:46:54 PM | show profile | email poster What has become of mediabistro? This used to be a board that help journalists. Now people are posting topics on useless things (like bartending, paralegals, and used car salesman??) and receiving advice on that, but not on how to write resumes or cover letters or advice on how to get a job right after graduating in this recession. Does anyone notice the job boards on this website is shrinking at staggaring rates in terms of journalism positions. This pisses me off, and frightens me at the same time. I, like many journalims grads in NYC, are hungry for jobs, but don't know what we should in order to get a job. So that is why I'm starting this post. Any hiring managers, managing editors, reporters, writers, etc. write the things that us grads need to know in order to get a job and keep one in this industry that we love so much! If anyone feels the same way I do, please voice your fustrations and what you need to know the most to get your foot in the door at any publication. And I ask any posters to be kind, not sarcastic, and generous in the advice that you give to one another. |
| inblue | Posted – 3/18/2008 9:01:19 PM | show profile I disagree that topics not immediately related to journalism are useless. There are people from other fields looking to try to get into journalism just as there are journalists curious about switching to other fields. (Plenty of topics in Media Issues along those lines.) There is nothing wrong with getting feedback on this board in either of those cases. In addition there are often issues that come up in regards to journalism or publishing which aren't immediately connected to "the job search." Plenty of folks here are very insightful and helpful, the boards can be an excellent resource if you are smart in your approach. Obviously there are the ocassional totally off base post which you'd be best just to ignore and focus your attention on threads that matter to you. And in regards to the bartending post--some recent grads need to eat and pay rent while job interviewing, can't get mad at someone looking for advice on how to make that happen! That's life! |
| Chamsah | Posted – 3/18/2008 9:25:53 PM | show profile Mark... Looking at your screen name and guessing you're about 22 or 23? Welcome to the fun world of journalism. Strap yourself in for an insane ride. And one that's not for the faint of heart. You wrote: "Any hiring managers, managing editors, reporters, writers, etc. write the things that us grads need to know in order to get a job and keep one in this industry that we love so much!" Unfortunately, very few of those people linger here anymore. It's been mostly freelance writers posting for a very long time. I find this frustrating myself, and I've been in the biz for a looooong time. When I want to network with other editors, I don't bother coming here anymore. Sad, but true. I suggest you try ed2010. They are geared to recent grads and offer most of their help to the under 25-set. They have a mentor program, bulletin boards and lots of classes and get-togethers. It's bad out there for everyone, so you might want to start garnering your patience now. I'm not getting a sense of that at all that from your post. I must kindly warn you that impatience and indignation shows and it can be very off-putting. That's true of recent grads and those of us who are vets struggling to stay in this business. No one wants to help anyone who sounds so pissed off. Good luck. |
| caitlinkelly | Posted – 3/18/2008 11:11:00 PM | show profile Come to the ASJA conference...shameless plug, sorry. You'll meet a ton of fellow writers and editors, learn a lot about freelance -- and realize that not having a job does not mean you are not a journalist. Yes, I and I'm sure many of us have noticed how very few FT journalism jobs are now posted here...so maybe focus on freelancing as much as you can...which brings in income and amasses experience and clips (just as a job would.) I can't advise you how to keep a job as so many of us here - some of us award-winners, authors, with resumes and clips a fresh grad would likely kill for -- can't get one or keep one ourselves. You must be prepared for any job, if you can get one, to be something impermanent. There's no magic formula. As if. |
| Jerose | Posted – 3/18/2008 11:24:01 PM | show profile Chamsah...... I've noticed that it's primarily freelancers, too. Nothing wrong with that, but I'd like to find a board that is geared more toward in-office staff, primarily editors. Freelancers have very different concerns. Any suggestions? |
| Chamsah | Posted – 3/19/2008 2:00:04 AM | show profile | email poster Jerose If you want, email me off the board and we can chat. I've enabled email here. Cheers |
| Village Gal | Posted – 3/19/2008 9:47:38 AM | show profile Mark, Angry and scared are not good emotional states for job hunting. You never want to come across as desperate. People can sense it. No offense, but you also sound a bit naive. Did you really think that just having a degree was going to land you an ideal job? Did you really think you'd find a great journalism job on a board?Do you have clips??? If not,start freelancing. Do you have connections? If not start networking. Good advice about attending conferences Do you have internships from when you attended school? Any connections from that? My advice- change your mind set, do some inner work, start freelancing, get out there and meet people in the businesss. good luck |
