Getting into the business

[MMoore1985]

Hello,

I just registered for the site, and am glad I found it. I took a quick look around but didn't see anything regarding my situation. I'm sure it's covered somewhere but wanted to make a new post to introduce myself.

My name is Matt I'm 27 and I live in Chicago. I have always wanted to be a sports journalist as it combines two of my favorite things: writing and sports. I was a sports editor at my high school paper and really really loved it. I went to college to study Communications but ran into some problems in my life and got set back. When I went back I decided to study English and minor in communications. I excelled in my communications classes, wrote for the paper covering hockey which was an absolute awesome experience. After college I took on a couple temporary jobs hoping that something would be a fit, but as of yet it just hasn't happened.

Not sure if this is some kind of quarter life crisis but I have realized that I really need to get into sports journalism (doesn't have to be sports but that would be ideal). I am not really that happy and my job now and would like to begin to pursue my dream.

Does anyone have any advice on how to break in somewhere? It could be online (and online would probably be ideal as I need to work full time) but I am trying to look at all avenues. Thanks for the time, hoping to get to know some of you.

 

[Dick Whitman]

There are a million newspapers in the Chicago area.

Start emailing sports editors and volunteering to string (i.e. cover for nominal pay, usually $60-$80 a pop) high school sporting events for them. Tell them what you told us.

 

[Simon]

There are a million newspapers in the Chicago area.

Start emailing sports editors and volunteering to string (i.e. cover for nominal pay, usually $60-$80 a pop) high school sporting events for them. Tell them what you told us.

Yup. **** Whitman nailed it.

Or start a BLOG. /BYH

 

[Drip]

String games. Start a blog for your opinions. Scratch the itch that way.

Stay with your real job.

Ditto on what has been said and definitely stay with your real job, for your own sake and sanity. Best wishes to you.

 

[SixToe]

Dreams and reality don't always mesh.

Stick with your current paying job. Offer to be a stringer or try to contribute features or community news. But don't quit your current job.

 

[RickStain]

Dreams and reality don't always mesh.

Stick with your current paying job. Offer to be a stringer or try to contribute features or community news. But don't quit your current job.

This. The people who have a chance to make a full career as successful full-time journalists these days have to be incredibly driven and motivated overachievers. Ask yourself very, very honestly: Have I been one of these people to this point in my life? If not, what's really changed?

 

[Mark2010]

Hey MMoore,

I would echo what has been stated here. Contact some papers in your area and let them know of your availability and interest and see if someone bites. I've done that for many years. Most of us started that way. You could also contact colleges and pro teams and ask if they need some assistance working game nights.

Please understand -- and I mean this with no disrespect, but as someone who has lived it -- it is NOT a good idea to expect to make much of a living doing that sort of work. People can work 10-15 years and earn less than entry level college grads in other fields. People do it for the reasons you described, the enjoyment of the games, wanting to feel a part of the scene and a love of writing. If you go into it for financial reasons, chances are high you will be disappointed.

But I always encourage people to pursue their dreams, so contact some people and see what's available.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I was telling my wife tonight that choosing to be a sports writer was the best career decision I could have ever made. I was young and naive but idealistic enough to follow my dream.

The pay is minimal, the hours are lousy, the weekends off are non-existent, and the workload can make you dizzy. BUT, I love what I do and no amount of money or free time or anything else can replace that satisfaction you get from being who you want to be. If you really want to do it, then dive in head first.

You live one life. Pursue your dreams. You'll never regret it.

 

[Dawgpound17]

I wouldn't say the pay is all minimal, it depends on where you are, your title and the whole situation. Starting out with stringer work is a good start--but yes the pay in minimal. That being said work your way up and yes you can make six figures in this business. Usually the way it breaks down--at least for me is August-April with the fill in days and the random media sessions and media days and what not. Pay is average and lets be honest no one is thrilled to go cover practice every day but we all love (for the most part) doing what we do. That's the best thing you can go in to this business with is actually wanting to do it because then you will want to jump on every opportunity. Don't quit the day job though, not until you get locked into another daily job in the business. Hope it works out!

 

[Captain Obvious]

How many papers in Chicago still pay $50 per story?

 

[Dick Whitman]

I was telling my wife tonight that choosing to be a sports writer was the best career decision I could have ever made. I was young and naive but idealistic enough to follow my dream.

The pay is minimal, the hours are lousy, the weekends off are non-existent, and the workload can make you dizzy. BUT, I love what I do and no amount of money or free time or anything else can replace that satisfaction you get from being who you want to be. If you really want to do it, then dive in head first.

You live one life. Pursue your dreams. You'll never regret it.

Honest question: No kids yet?

 

[JackReacher]

I loved what I did, too, when I was in newspapers. But I quickly found there was most certainly an amount of money and free time that could replace the satisfaction I got from doing a job I enjoyed very much.

 

[podunk press]

First of all, I want to wish you the best of luck. I'm in a quarter-life crisis myself, and it's tough to decide what the next move will be.

My suggestion, as always, is to stay away from this industry. The hours are terrible. The pay is worse. And you have no job security whatsoever. None.

If you want to freelance, great. Do that. If you want to blog, great. Do that. But do not, under any circumstances, try to make this a full-time gig. Unless you're amazing, it's hard to find a job anyway.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I was telling my wife tonight that choosing to be a sports writer was the best career decision I could have ever made. I was young and naive but idealistic enough to follow my dream.

The pay is minimal, the hours are lousy, the weekends off are non-existent, and the workload can make you dizzy. BUT, I love what I do and no amount of money or free time or anything else can replace that satisfaction you get from being who you want to be. If you really want to do it, then dive in head first.

You live one life. Pursue your dreams. You'll never regret it.

Honest question: No kids yet?

I never had them, and never plan too either. Having done this since the '80s, that ship has sailed. Not everybody has to have kids to be happy in life. I get so damn sick of that insinuation.

 

[Dick Whitman]

I was telling my wife tonight that choosing to be a sports writer was the best career decision I could have ever made. I was young and naive but idealistic enough to follow my dream.

The pay is minimal, the hours are lousy, the weekends off are non-existent, and the workload can make you dizzy. BUT, I love what I do and no amount of money or free time or anything else can replace that satisfaction you get from being who you want to be. If you really want to do it, then dive in head first.

You live one life. Pursue your dreams. You'll never regret it.

Honest question: No kids yet?

I never had them, and never plan too either. Having done this since the '80s, that ship has sailed. Not everybody has to have kids to be happy in life. I get so damn sick of that insinuation.

Oh, not insinuating that at all. I'm just saying that if someone has children, free time and extra money become more valuable commodities in the battle with work pleasure.

 

[Versatile]

I was telling my wife tonight that choosing to be a sports writer was the best career decision I could have ever made. I was young and naive but idealistic enough to follow my dream.

The pay is minimal, the hours are lousy, the weekends off are non-existent, and the workload can make you dizzy. BUT, I love what I do and no amount of money or free time or anything else can replace that satisfaction you get from being who you want to be. If you really want to do it, then dive in head first.

You live one life. Pursue your dreams. You'll never regret it.

Honest question: No kids yet?

I never had them, and never plan too either. Having done this since the '80s, that ship has sailed. Not everybody has to have kids to be happy in life. I get so damn sick of that insinuation.

Being a sports writer in the 1980s was a good career path. Your situation is not at all similar to MMoore1985's.

Given his resume, he probably couldn't get a full-time job at a 8,000-circulation newspaper in Wyoming. And he's 27.

I recommend doing what others said: Scratch the itch with part-time work. You'll be starting at a major disadvantage. Journalism school enrollment is way up right now, and even those crap starter jobs that pay $20,000 a year are highly competitive and getting applicants with two or three internships and reporting and editing experience at their school newspaper that goes beyond covering the hockey team.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I never, never ever, said go to work for a newspaper. I said follow your dream. If journalism is his dream, in whatever format he chooses, then follow it. If I recall correctly, he mentioned working online, too.

Point being: You get ONE life. Live it YOUR way.