Orlando Sentinel temporary copy editing opening

[Lynn_Hoppes]

The Orlando Sentinel has an opening for a temporary copy editor who will work for a 13-month term on the desk of the Sentinel’s APSE Top 10 Sports section. The person chosen will start around Dec. 1, substituting for an editor assigned to a special technology project. The ideal candidate will have both copy editing and page design skills; a strong knowledge of sports issues, history and personalities; and the ability to juggle multiple tasks and meet demanding deadlines. This position is eligible for health insurance, vacation and other key benefits. At the end of the term, the editor chosen may apply for regular positions that may be open. If you’re a sports editor at a small or midsize paper, this is the kind of valuable major-metro experience that can change the course of your career. Please e-mail a resume and cover note to Mr. Dana S. Eagles, Staff Development Editor of the Orlando Sentinel, at [email protected].

 

[Ace]

It's a risk, but I would say that if you are competent, the chance of parlaying this into a permanent job at most papers this size is very good.

 

[Claws for Concern]

And applicant must like Disney World

 

[Editude]

This would seem to be a reach for a mid-size sports editor to take a 13-month temp desk job. All jobs are temporary, in a way, but you'd really have to like the are to take this leap.

 

[Yawn]

Great for the single guy who has nothing to lose. They probably don't offer insurance since it's a temporary position. You'll last 13 months then get slapped with the next batch of lay-offs. Big risk here people.

 

[mediaguy]

If you don't think you can prove yourself in 13 months, maybe you should be shooting for a smaller paper, or perhaps the foodservice industry.

 

[CitizenTino]

Great for the single guy who has nothing to lose. They probably don't offer insurance since it's a temporary position. You'll last 13 months then get slapped with the next batch of lay-offs. Big risk here people.

It said right in the middle of the ad, "This position is eligible for health insurance, vacation and other key benefits."

 

[Sneakers]

let's see ... leave my permanent job for a temp job at a paper that's known for treating the desk like ****. great. sign me up.

oh, and i get to apply for any position that may be open at then end of my temp term? awesome. good thing they have a great track record of promoting/hiring desk people from within.

oh, wait.

 

[DyePack]

let's see ... leave my permanent job for a temp job at a paper that's known for treating the desk like ****. great. sign me up.

oh, and i get to apply for any position that may be open at then end of my temp term? awesome. good thing they have a great track record of promoting/hiring desk people from within.

oh, wait.

As the guys in Grease would say, tell me more.

 

[wickedwritah]

Sure, you're not guaranteed a gig -- but you know what? The O-Sentinel is gonna look wonderful on the resume.

I'm sure there'll be a decent-sized pile of resumes for this one -- and, yeah, mine will be among them.

 

[Ace]

let's see ... leave my permanent job for a temp job at a paper that's known for treating the desk like ****. great. sign me up.

What does "treating the desk like ****" mean? Seriously. Is it workload, hours, feedback, not letting you wear one of those cool green eyeshades?

 

[Yawn]

Eligible in these positions doesn't ALWAYS mean they pay for benefits. It's deducted 100 percent on a contract basis, which is what you're hired for. They also don't always deduct taxes. It would seem you are contract labor.

Great for the single guy who has nothing to lose. They probably don't offer insurance since it's a temporary position. You'll last 13 months then get slapped with the next batch of lay-offs. Big risk here people.

It said right in the middle of the ad, "This position is eligible for health insurance, vacation and other key benefits."

 

[shortstop]

Will this temporary person be paid well enough to live above the poverty line? And does the Sentinel really treat its desk people like crap?

 

[DyePack]

They can't allow the green eyeshades. Those mess up the all-important calibration of the color palette. [/designer]

 

[TrojanHorse]

What gives with the Sentinel? Does is suck to work there?

 

[FileNotFound]

What gives with the Sentinel? Does is suck to work there?

Not in the least. You'll work a lot, and you'll work hard, but you'll learn as much as you want to learn. And every night, when you walk out the door, you'll be in Florida. That sucks not at all.

 

[Sneakers]

for a writer? yeah the place rules.
for a desker? place is hell on earth.

somehow, they've found a way to turn desk openings into writing jobs. thus, the desk is woefully understaffed. at one point, the sentinel had more managers than desk employees. fairly certain it's still that way. in fact, i'm pretty sure all of the "deputies" are still required to pull at least one desk shift a week so deskers can actually take vacation or have days off.

oh - and if a writer isn't "good enough" (read: one of hoppes' buddies), you can guarantee they'll be pulling frequent desk time.

this temp thing may not be so bad - there are at least two (possibly three) on the desk nearing retirement age. if you're lucky, they'll all retire in the next year. though, i'm sure they'll find a way to justify turning the editing jobs into more writing or management positions.

i'd be interested to hear what they're offering this position at, however. i'd be shocked if it was any less than $50k ...

 

[TrojanHorse]

I interviewed with Mr. Hoppes once, and he offered me a job.

Got a bad vibe from what he told me about the desk. Didn't think he thought it was that vital to his operation.

So I stayed away.

 

[deportes]

the desk is vital. where would you put your computer without a desk?

 

[deputy_dog]

Let's play a game.

What does Lynn Hoppes like more:
a) his hair
b) promoting himself (i.e. "My name is Lynn Hoppes and I'm an Asian-American sports editor")
c) gossiping and starting fights among his staff
d) all of the above