How to keep moving forward

[TyWebb]

My first job in the business was as the one-man SE of a small weekly. I was there about a year and a half. I would say I spent the first six months just figuring out what the hell I was doing, figuring out my voice. That are the things I would focus on right now. Right now, you aren't half the writer/reporter you will eventually be. Improvements are made in small steps, and you have to seek them out. It is very easy to fall into the same old story structure, fall back on the coaches you know are good quotes, rely just on the daily coverage. Doing this won't help you improve. Trying new things, and even failing miserably, is the best way to improve. Then, you'll be doing your job better and your readers will be happier. It is a win-win.

Also, if your situation is at all like mine starting out, you may be lacking in support. I had no one to tell me how well I was doing. I was the only sports guy there. So I sought out the SE at a mid-sized daily nearby, where I would eventually work, to give me some tips from time to time. This was enormously helpful, both in writing better and building a network of people.

Last thought: if you are serious about sticking in this business, don't ignore those of us who have been chewed up and spit out by it. Listen so you can get a good idea of what is ahead and things you may want to avoid.

Last last thought: try not to cost a kid a scholarship. Jerk.

 

[Kayaugstin Kott]

And, the original poster doesn't have the perspective to know that his current ambitions, circumstances, needs and desires might change in the months and years to come. ...
He just doesn't know yet. But he doesn't know what he doesn't know.

This is the best point made in the thread. I read the original post, shook my head and grimaced, then reflected.

We all thought a bit differently at ages 21 to 23. You'll figure it out, OP.

 

[Potsie Weber]

I recently left my paper (first full-time job) after almost 21 years. When I started, I said, "Two years. Tops."

 

[Southwinds]

A lot of the above advice is really, really good. Look beyond the gloom some of these folks have written and consider this: You have an actual job, which means you're getting paid, which is a start.

Aside from all of what the other folks have posted, consider this: See what your freelance opportunities are, too. I would assume you'd be allowed to freelance; hopefully, you're near a quasi-metro area with either a college team or a pro team or two and monitor those chances. Hit up the local AP bureau. Track down the college teams' schedules and reach out to the newspapers of the teams they're playing non-conference games against. Find good local stories that, if not applicable for your publication, you can sell elsewhere.

And, keep learning and grinding.

 

[Double Down]

Listen a lot.
Read a lot.
Ask for help.
Commit fully to your work.
Find a mentor.
Ask for hard critiques.
Tell yourself you are not above any assignment.
Don't talk ****, in person, but especially the Internet.
Solve problems for people, don't be one.
Ask yourself why you like certain stories. Read them closely. Try to apply some of what you learn on a smaller scale.
File when you're supposed to file.
At the length you've previously agreed upon.
Take risks. Push yourself.
Try not to wallow in journalism's misery. Vent when you must, to people you trust, then let it go.
Jealousy can do two things: Make you resentful or motivate you. Chose the latter.
Journalism is hard on families and relationships and sometimes friendships. That doesn't mean it's all bad. Work especially hard when you're young, but don't end up married to the work. It won't love you back.
Don't be a jerk. You never know who might help you someday.
When the time is right, you'll know. Give everything you have to this job for a year before you look around, then don't be afraid to express interest in opportunities. Work hard enough that when the next boss calls the current one, the current boss says "I hate to lose this one, but no one works harder or is better to deal with. Help him/her shine."

 

[typefitter]

The threads on the Journalism side right now are making me nostalgic for what SJ.com was however many years ago. Young writers should print out what DD wrote above and carry it in their pockets.

 

[NotMikeLupica]

The threads on the Journalism side right now are making me nostalgic for what SJ.com was however many years ago. Young writers should print out what DD wrote above and carry it in their pockets.

Printed! Thanks for all the advice. If anyone else has anything to add, please do so.

 

[SpiritedDebate]

Well ...

1. You might never make it, talented or not. The best writers (often) get hired right out of college by the large newspapers. So you need to at least acknowledge you may never get beyond the community daily level.

2. Be amazing at social media. That is the one skill that will get you out of newspapers, into another communications gig and into a drastically higher-paying job.

3. It is great you are already looking for the next gig. That shows ambition. Ignore the posters on here who are saying "whoa, slow down."

4. Network. Find mentors in journalism and outside journalism. That will give you a lot of options.

5. Learn web-based skills. Not a programmer? That's fine. Become great at using content management systems. Anything you can do online is a bonus.

 

[Batman]

3. It is great you are already looking for the next gig. That shows ambition. Ignore the posters on here who are saying "whoa, slow down."

On the one hand, I agree with this. Newspapers these days are a lot like sports. It seems like if you haven't "made it" by the time you're 30 or just past that you wind up stuck at whatever level you're on when you get to that age. So move up the ladder as fast as you can and never stop looking for opportunities.
On the other hand, I understand and agree with what other posters are saying. Nobody wants to work with a guy who has one foot out the door from the minute he's filling out his W-4. That's especially true of the long-timers you might be working with. It can easily show in your work, and it paints you as an asshole who doesn't give a crap about your current job, the people you work with, or being part of a team. And maybe you don't, but just be aware that if you give off that vibe then the people around you will sense it and treat you accordingly.
So I'll go all Confucius here. Aspire to be better, and work to better yourself, without thinking you're better than anyone else or your current station in life.

 

[TigerVols]

I think it's ridiculous to discourage this newcomer from looking for his next job the minute he starts his first one. Because we all know good and well his employer is looking for ways to replace him the minute he starts. If you disagree, you haven't been paying attention to weekly and daily newspapers in the past 30 years (which dates by to when I was the ME of a weekly at the age of 19).

Looking for your next job the minute you start your current one is by no means saying you should neglect your current position; in fact, it's just the opposite. Breaking stories or creating compelling copy that answers people's needs is one way to do this. Another, massively important way circa 2016 is to build your personal brand by smartly using social media to your advantage. None of this is detrimental to the people paying you, but all of it can lead to a bigger paycheck down the line.

 

[FSportsFitzgerald]

Short story. I graduated college on Saturday, interviewed for a weekly newspaper reporter position on Monday, and got the job today. I'm totally satisfied with the job, because now I have my foot in the door. The salary is very low--obviously, but it's still a job in journalism.

I know I am lucky to have this job, but I have one question: What can I do inside and outside of work to stand out to bigger outlets? I don't want to be here my entire life; some people here have been working in the same office for 25 years. I don't want that to be me.

Thanks.

Don't be surprised when a story you write that you know is great gets little or no response from readers while some other one that means less to you takes off.
Trust your judgement and keep doing what you think is good and what you think fans want/need to know.

 

[KJIM]

Listen a lot.
Read a lot.
Ask for help.
Commit fully to your work.
Find a mentor.
Ask for hard critiques.
Tell yourself you are not above any assignment.
Don't talk ****, in person, but especially the Internet.
Solve problems for people, don't be one.
Ask yourself why you like certain stories. Read them closely. Try to apply some of what you learn on a smaller scale.
File when you're supposed to file.
At the length you've previously agreed upon.
Take risks. Push yourself.
Try not to wallow in journalism's misery. Vent when you must, to people you trust, then let it go.
Jealousy can do two things: Make you resentful or motivate you. Chose the latter.
Journalism is hard on families and relationships and sometimes friendships. That doesn't mean it's all bad. Work especially hard when you're young, but don't end up married to the work. It won't love you back.
Don't be a jerk. You never know who might help you someday.
When the time is right, you'll know. Give everything you have to this job for a year before you look around, then don't be afraid to express interest in opportunities. Work hard enough that when the next boss calls the current one, the current boss says "I hate to lose this one, but no one works harder or is better to deal with. Help him/her shine."

And if you do ever leave journalism, remember this is still good advice for any career.

 

[Ace]

I think it's ridiculous to discourage this newcomer from looking for his next job the minute he starts his first one. Because we all know good and well his employer is looking for ways to replace him the minute he starts. If you disagree, you haven't been paying attention to weekly and daily newspapers in the past 30 years (which dates by to when I was the ME of a weekly at the age of 19).

Looking for your next job the minute you start your current one is by no means saying you should neglect your current position; in fact, it's just the opposite. Breaking stories or creating compelling copy that answers people's needs is one way to do this. Another, massively important way circa 2016 is to build your personal brand by smartly using social media to your advantage. None of this is detrimental to the people paying you, but all of it can lead to a bigger paycheck down the line.

You should keep your eyes out, yes. But you are better off using the opportunities that your current job affords to become good at being a working journalist while doing so.

Plenty of people half-ass their current job but still want the next one.

 

[cjericho]

On the one hand, I agree with this. Newspapers these days are a lot like sports. It seems like if you haven't "made it" by the time you're 30 or just past that you wind up stuck at whatever level you're on when you get to that age. So move up the ladder as fast as you can and never stop looking for opportunities.
On the other hand, I understand and agree with what other posters are saying. Nobody wants to work with a guy who has one foot out the door from the minute he's filling out his W-4. That's especially true of the long-timers you might be working with. It can easily show in your work, and it paints you as an asshole who doesn't give a crap about your current job, the people you work with, or being part of a team. And maybe you don't, but just be aware that if you give off that vibe then the people around you will sense it and treat you accordingly.
So I'll go all Confucius here. Aspire to be better, and work to better yourself, without thinking you're better than anyone else or your current station in life.

That is good advice. also you can always look, strive for something better, but careful who knows about your aspirations. Some bosses may speed up your way to a new job if that's what you want.