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.