Monday, September 17, 2007
From Trade Press to Mainstream?
After getting a master's in print journalism two years ago, I took a step that made me very nervous, but one that turned out wonderfully: I took a job in the trade press.
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Without going into details, I write about a very specific industry, albeit one with a lot of interesting environmental and political ramifications. The reason I took the job is that it is overseas (London), involves lots of travel and pays pretty well -- a major consideration with my student debt load.
In the past two years I have reported from more than 10 countries, and I have learned a tremendous amount about business journalism. I have gotten lots of great editing and Web journalism experience, including doing on-air Web/TV reporting. And although my stories are niche-focused, I've been able to weave them broadly enough to touch on more universal themes, so I think I've got some pretty good clips.
Now, I'm ready for a change. I'm also worried that staying in the trade press for much longer will begin to be a problem for my career.
I have two questions for you. First, what is the reaction of normal media companies to the trade press? I'd love to get an entry-level job (even of the editorial assistant ilk) with The Associated Press, Dow Jones, Bloomberg -- somewhere like that. Maybe even a normal business reporter job at a daily newspaper. So how do I spin my trade rag experiences in my cover letter?
Secondly, in a perfect world I'd really like to take several months off and do some hardcore traveling after I quit and before I start a new job. I'm still relatively young (28), and don't have a wife or kids, so the time isn't an issue. But I know that it's "easier to get a job when you have one." So am I better off applying for jobs now, and telling them I need a bit of time before I start, or should I start looking once I get back? (And how would a travel gap like that look to recruiters? I will probably do some freelance stuff from the road.)
Thanks a million. I love your column, and for the very first time feel I had a good enough question to ask!
Looking for something a bit more mainstream
Good pay, travel, interesting stories and experience in multimedia? That will be hard to match in the mainstream, but I'll trust you know what you want to do.
You need to resolve your second question -- whether to take several months off -- before you write your cover letter.
Now IS a good time to take some months off. It is a transitional time for you and, this being September, a lot of mainstream companies will be limping through a weak budget year, hoping to get fresh budgets in January that might give them some relief from hiring freezes.
Don't send a cover letter until you're ready to take a job. Go for business reporting jobs, where your trade magazine experience can help you. That experience -- and your ambitions -- are going to be the core of your letter.
I would compromise on the size of the organization to get a bigger job. Consider whether you would be happier as an editorial assistant at a big place or as a full-fledged reporter at a smaller place.
And I would not give up entirely on the trade press. Some very good work is being done there that could provide you with a secure future or a sounder transitional step.
Coming Tueday: She feels her internship could lead to a job interview. Although she likes the paper, she has grown tired of the town and doesn't want to get trapped by a permanent job.
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