What do you wish you knew when starting out?

[SJ Staff]

Now that you have time and experience under your belt. Look back and let us know what you wish you knew then that you know now.

It may help the next new journalist that is starting out.

 

[Driftwood]

Starting in journalism? I just wish I'd listen to the grizzled veteran 30 years ago who said, "Oh, son; don't make the same mistake I did."

 

[Severian]

Daily stories are never that serious. You work at the Smalltown Gazette-News, not The New York Times. You'll be fine.

 

[I Should Coco]

Way before AI, social media, even the internet, an older reporter told me at my first full-time newspaper job: The paper will still come out without you. Amen.

 

[DanOregon]

Have a plan. Five-years. Ten-years. Figure out what you want to be. Use the job to get where you want to go.
My problem was I kind of fell into journalism, and really liked it. A lot of my colleagues had plans. Law school after a few years at a paper. Get into government PR after a few years. Teaching.
Journalism can be a great pathway to get somewhere else. You meet a lot of interesting people with a lot of connections that can be useful down the road. Use the job to your benefit.

 

[Songbird]

How important reading and work/life balance are. And drinking and drugs will crush your potential, and soul.

 

[MisterCreosote]

It may help the next new journalist that is starting out.

“Who” is starting out.

Also, editors are the worst.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

What do I wish I knew now when I was starting out?

That the people running the business side couldn’t see a primarily online future that didn’t involve metric tons of low-grade paper.

Also, if you’re just starting out now? Run. Far and fast.

 

[SixToe]

1. You’re just a cog, despite what anyone says. The train always rolls.

2. Any “we’re a family” stuff is bull****.

3. Work hard, do good work, don’t be an advocate, be skeptical, question things.

4. Read Nos. 1-2 again.

5. Always have an exit plan and don’t be afraid to trust your instincts about getting out.

 

[qtlaw]

NO!!!! Bob Seger said "Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then!!" :cool:

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

NO!!!! Bob Seger said "Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then!!" :cool:

*Toby Keith

:D

 

[outofplace]

That journalism was never my calling. I loved parts of it, but I should have been on my current path from the beginning.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

A lot of what others here have already said.

Don’t believe anything that corporate says. Look out for yourself.

Have an exit plan. Keep your resume updated.

When interviewing people, listen to them. Don’t just stick to your scripted questions. You never know where your interview may lead to.

Oh, and have some fun too, both with the job and away from the office. You are only young once.

 

[I Should Coco]

When interviewing people, listen to them. Don’t just stick to your scripted questions. You never know where your interview may lead to.

Oh, and have some fun too, both with the job and away from the office. You are only young once.

These are excellent points. Particularly about interviews -- be willing to adjust based on what your subject tells you. Also, don't shut off the recording device until the very end. Many times I have asked something generic like "anything else you'd like to add?" and that's when the best quotes of the entire interview came.

 

[Slacker]

2. Any “we’re a family” stuff is bull****.

"They are not your friends. They are your co-workers."

Generally speaking, that is. You'll learn to be careful who you trust.

 

[Slacker]

These are excellent points. Particularly about interviews -- be willing to adjust based on what your subject tells you.

I wish someone woulda trained Letterman in that. He whiffed at follow-ups so often because he was staring at the next question on his index card instead.

Johnny Carson, on the other hand, was the master of adjusting to his guests.

I liked Letterman, but his missed opportunities always drove me nuts.

Also, don't shut off the recording device until the very end. Many times I have asked something generic like "anything else you'd like to add?" and that's when the best quotes of the entire interview came.

And whenever you get a poor or incomplete answer, or a dodge, maintain eye contact but remain silent. Your subject often will talk more when that silence hangs in the air a bit. It's human nature, and an old but invaluable wrench in your toolbox.

 

[garrow]

I am proud of my journalism career (if you can call it that) and don't regret doing it all....just wished I had a history BA or something else other than a journalism one.

 

[BurnsWhenIPee]

When someone says "Trust me," the last thing in the world you should do is trust them.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

When someone tells you that a journalism degree gives you the ability to do anything, they're lying.