Q. All these newspaper reporters and editors are taking buyouts or getting laid off. So, where are they now? What sort of jobs are ex-journalists taking? Marketing communications, public relations, book publishing seem to be the most likely destinations, given the journalist skill set, or law school. Am I right? What sort of career can an ex-journo hope to begin after the dream is over?
Second ActA. I have been talking with a lot of displaced journalists recently, many of them through Poynter's
Standing Up for Journalism program. You have nailed some of the most popular destinations. There are others.
Many have done as I did when I took a buyout, and gone into teaching. Some are trying to build freelance careers. A few top editors are taking a crack at consulting, but finding there isn't much business among newspapers and that they have to branch out.
Several have switched from newspapers to broadcast or wire services or the Web. Some of them improved their salaries.
And then there are unexpected switches that might not show us a way, but suggest that many ways are possible. One manages his family's wheat acreage. Another bought a franchise for after-school golf programs. And a third decided to go sailing for a year.
To be sure, a great many of us are looking at permanently reduced incomes and scores simply retired early -- only to see their savings caught in the market meltdown. They may have to get more work now.
My best advice is to consider how your hobbies might become profitable, learn skills outside of straight newspaper journalism and become more entrepreneurial. A freelancer told me just today that she is both the best boss and the worst boss she has ever had. But at least she won't get fired.
Coming Friday: She is not getting to do the digital journalism her bosses promised and she is itching to get out of her job and a dreadfully long commute. But is six months too early?
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