thinking about getting into the business...

[jpmallari32]

hello all. Im a 18 year old community college student. I went to community college because i really wasnt sure what i wanted to major in. I was trying to think about possible careers i could get into and i couldnt really think of anything i really thought i would enjoy. Then it hit me.. I love sports and i believe that i am a good writer, so i started to ponder getting into journalism. I have a few question for some of you experienced sports journalists:
1) What made you decide to get into the field?
2) Do you have prior experience in the field of journalism (I dont) before getting into it in college? If not, did it affect anything?
3) Is the job stressful?

Thanks everyone

 

[imjustagirl]

I wish you all the luck in the world in deciding what shape your future will take, but please, do yourself a favor.

Start with this thread: http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/62949/

Read every word of every post of every page. All 36 pages worth.

Then skim the rest of this board, the journalism topics board. Read about furloughs and "suggested" 32-hour weeks and papers closing and people being laid off and horrible management.

Read all of that, absorb it, and then ask yourself if you couldn't find another way for you to work writing into your daily life. I simply can't suggest this business for anyone who isn't already in it. Not with good conscience.

Good luck.

 

[slappy4428]

1) It came easy for me.
2) No.
3) I worked for 20 years and have spent the last 3 trying to find something fulltime since my paper closed.

EXTRA CREDIT: It's great that you like it, but you'd better be really damn good. If it's fun? ope you can afford to change your major.

 

[Tom Petty]

go for it. obviously you've done your homework.

enjoy the selling the toys.

 

[slappy4428]

Be sure to treat others like assholes along the way.. that will help too...

 

[Tom Petty]

write incoherently.

 

[Fredrick]

1) What made you decide to get into the field?
2) Do you have prior experience in the field of journalism (I dont) before getting into it in college? If not, did it affect anything?
3) Is the job stressful?
Thanks everyone

1.) sounded like a fun way to make a living. I was right in that regard except for the recent developments which include getting no pay raises, getting no respect from superiors and dealing with a misguided corporate world. It's a poorly run business, things you are too young to be thinking about.
2.) Not much, wrote for h.s. and community newspaper but that's not really significant.
3.) Not if you are good. It's somewhat stressful now because of the idiots in charge and job uncertainty because of the economy.

My suggestion: Get in a different field, take some journalism courses so you'll be equipped when we go to what is called "citizen journalism." It'll basically be people writing for minimum wage, but you'll get to write some sports in your spare time.
Hate so sound cynical, but it was a very fun profession, which is being ruined by corporate types and bad business decisions. Not a healthy profession to be in, young man.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

hello all. Im a 18 year old community college student. I went to community college because i really wasnt sure what i wanted to major in. I was trying to think about possible careers i could get into and i couldnt really think of anything i really thought i would enjoy. Then it hit me.. I love sports and i believe that i am a good writer, so i started to ponder getting into journalism. I have a few question for some of you experienced sports journalists:
1) What made you decide to get into the field?
2) Do you have prior experience in the field of journalism (I dont) before getting into it in college? If not, did it affect anything?
3) Is the job stressful?

Thanks everyone

Newspaper journalism as it has been practiced in the past has no future. You need to find a career that does have a future.

 

[pallister]

If you're a journalist at heart, you'll ignore what most people say and do whatever you want anyway. At 18, might as well give it a try if you're passionate about sports and writing. If you don't like it or the direction you're heading, you have plenty of time to pursue something different.

 

[Fredrick]

If you're a journalist at heart, you'll ignore what most people say and do whatever you want anyway. At 18, might as well give it a try if you're passionate about sports and writing. If you don't like it or the direction you're heading, you have plenty of time to pursue something different.

This is kind of dangerous, because this is thinking of years ago when the business was healthy. It's irresponsible to suggest somebody become a journalist now. I feel sorry for those who have the unstoppable passion because those running newspapers are not fulfilling their end of the bargain. There are no jobs. There's no future in it. I really would hate to be a Journalism dean right now. How the hell can they suggest people stay in this field? Maybe to be a blogger or citizen journalist, but there aint no jobs.

 

[NoOneLikesUs]

Learn to dig ditches well. Might want to try your hand at selling apples on the sidewalk too.

 

[SixToe]

U dont need jrnulism skilz to blogg or b a citezen jrnulizst. Jus strt writn.

Do what IJAG said and then think long and hard about it.

Good luck.

 

[pallister]

What's so dangerous about trying something you think you'd be interested in at 18? How many people here had their life figured out at that age? My guess is none. How many of us, in hindsight, wish we had tried more things when we were younger if for nothing else but to expand our view of the world? My guess is every single one of us.

 

[imjustagirl]

But not something that will negatively impact my ability to do anything else. If he goes into journalism, and he's out in two years, then he's going to be 6 years behind anyone in any other career.

 

[pallister]

What kind of math is that?

My larger point is that because hardly any of us figure out what we want to do so young, it's not the end of the world to pursue a given interest at 18 because you have plenty of time to change directions.

I actually think it would serve most young adults if they didn't even attend college for a couple three years after high school, but that's an argument for a different thread. Hell, I didn't even go to college until I was 22, and look how I ... Ok, bad example.

 

[Fredrick]

What's so dangerous about trying something you think you'd be interested in at 18? How many people here had their life figured out at that age? My guess is none. How many of us, in hindsight, wish we had tried more things when we were younger if for nothing else but to expand our view of the world? My guess is every single one of us.

Pallister, I think my suggestion is the only responsible suggestion to youths today. Major in something with a future, take a couple writing courses and if you have the itch, prepare yourself to be a citizen journalist in your spare time. If he/she is a good citizen journalist/blogger, well then get into it full time if the business changes to where there are actual full time jobs available.
To go to J-school now is asinine, dreams be darned.

 

[imjustagirl]

What kind of math is that?

4 years college + 2 years journalism = 6 years behind.

 

[pallister]

dreams be darned.

Ya, just what this country needs, a generation of young adults too afraid to do anything but take the safest road possible.

 

[Fredrick]

Pallister what girl pointed out is it could be six years wasted of time and money. If our publishers could provide a shred of hope, then yes go for your dreams. What's improper about suggesting kids get in a good major and take a couple writing courses so they can be citizen journalists to scratch the itch. If the business turns around, then they are set.

 

[EagleMorph]

3) Is the job stressful?

Rule number one: Love sports, but love writing more. This is not about sports. You could be writing about rocks for all that it matters. You must absolutely, positively need to write. It must be a part of you.