Should I get in now?

UpAnd and tools,

I would have given the same advice to you 15 years ago. Get a degree other than journalism unless you are at one of the big-time journalism schools.

Minor in journalism and get a more well-rounded education. Or major in something that just interests you -- doesn't have to be your boring, 9-5 fallback job.

 

I can't tell if you're being serious or not.

 

C'mon. Even I could see the sarcasm dripping from that post.

And no blue font required.

 

I should have used the blue font, our local designator for sarcasm. This is a dire time in the print world.

But if you've already started and sold your own magazine at your age, I think you'll be fine - no matter what field you enter, or what it says on your diploma.

 

Ask yourself if you really love sports writing that much that you're willing to work a doctor's hours for a janitor's pay. Then, I believe you'll have your answer.

 

If you want to get in, do this:

Major in something with a practical, tangible output (accounting, engineering, computer information). Then write for the paper in your free time and work your way up from there.

That way, you have a degree of value and experience writing. When you decide writing is no longer for you, there's a job of need back out there.

 

Shouldn't we just sticky this type of thread at the top?

 

Along with that thread, parse a couple of these ...

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/53755/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/53754/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/53708/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/53670/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/53528/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/53686/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/50406/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/53508/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/53120/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/53107/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/53111/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/52907/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/52914/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/52895/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/52776/
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/07/business/paper.php
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/52661/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/52497/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/52519/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/52589/
http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/52612/

That covers the last four weeks. I got too depressed to look any further back.

 

This is exactly what I thought five years ago. I was invincible.

Everyone told me to get out while I could. I ignored them.

I'm only 22 now, but I still wish I would have listened.

All my friends have 40k salaries, vacation, benefits etc. I have a part time gig and huge medical expenses piling up.

 

That would be 53508.

 

If you're stuck on journalism, look into getting a degree in Web design, and make sure to learn video and video editing skills. Those are skills that will set you apart, as long as you write for the college paper too.

 

I can't see majoring in business is that much better than journalism. Most business majors just learn how to sell alarms or satellite dishes around here.