sportschick said:
Do you have a plan for what you'll do if you get laid off or if your newspaper goes under? If so, what is it?
Me, I'm going to open a craft/fabric store in a small town in Montana or go back to school and get a masters in public administration. Maybe both.
I'm having trouble with the idea that my newspaper could go under. I'm also having trouble with the concept of $5/gallon gasoline.
I'm concerned that reality will set me straight soon enough on both fronts >:(
My plan is still developing, because I'm reacting to national trends and not to anything local (yet).
Right now, I want to assess all of my job skills and determine which ones are transferrable, and which ones are unique to journalism.
I also want to investigate other career fields in my spare time to see where my skill set fits and also see which fields most interest me - and that will include seeing if there could be a place for me in whatever the industry eventually morphs into.
I'm told that Richard Bolles' book
What Color Is Your Parachute? is a great resource to help you sort through all of this. I have a copy and plan to read it. I'll also look at the job websites, even the want ads to see what's out there in terms of something I can do to pay the bills (if necessary) and something I might want to do long-term.
I'd also advise everyone to pay off consumer debts and build up a 6-8 month emergency fund and stash it somewhere you can get to in a hurry when you need it.
