Finding a Place In the Journalism Job Market

At one point in time, it was enough for a young journalist to be a good reporter. Being a star reporter or a sharp-shooting cameraman was enough to land a good job after college. Not anymore. With cuts coming left and right at papers and news stations, it is getting increasingly harder for journalists to acquire-and maintain- their jobs. Not only that, but now as online media is taking center stage journalists are expected to be more than just a writer, camera man, or web whiz. In order for newspapers and networks to save money and cut back on jobs, journalists today are expected at times to be all three and more so that as convergence continues, it is not necessary for more jobs to be created.
Originally, the addition of online news media seemed as though it could be a catalyst for more journalist jobs. Instead, many journalists, especially at small publications, had to take on a heavier work load to help get their work online. This change in skill sets may come as a shock to some journalists who, for example, went into journalism only wanting to write. Those who have a passion for writing may not feel as comfortable with a camera or on the internet as they find they need to be. Journalists have to worry not only about finding a job in a market which is growing increasingly smaller in the first place, but also about doing jobs they did not readily set out to do.
With online news and media convergence, the role of the journalist is constantly changing. Journalists have to learn as much as they can about all fields of journalism and hope for the best.
Miriam Finder is from a small suburb outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has two sisters (one older, one younger) and has grown to love small pets such as guinea pigs since she and her sisters were never allowed to have a dog. She enjoys reading, skiing, and hiking.