Ask the Recruiter

Q. I'm a reporter with a reputed national newspaper in India. I recently got married and have been transferred to a metro city. Previously, I was working in a much smaller city. Though the setup here is encouraging, I feel pressured. I have to think of story ideas around the clock and I feel I don't spend enough time with my family.

There is a vacancy on the copy desk and I'm tempted to take it. But people advise me against it because it involves night duty and I would no longer have evenings for myself.

Even so, I currently work almost 12 hours a day.

I'm hesitant to make any decisions that might affect my career. I'm confused.

I must thank you. Your suggestions came in handy when I decided to get a master's degree in journalism. I hope you can help me make the right decision this time, too.
 
Thanks
 
Aishwarya

A. Listen to your friends.

While working nights can be beneficial in some circumstances, it doesn't sound like you're there yet.

Once you're a night editor for a while, newsroom managers might doubt your credentials as a writer. Then, the best way off nights might not be back into reporting, but as an assigning editor or a sub editor (copy editor) who works on a day desk, perhaps editing features or opinion pieces.

If that is not the direction you'd like to take your career in, be very careful.

Coming Friday: This business trade magazine reporter would like to get to a metro and has an opportunity right now to move to a 70,000-circulation daily. Is it a step in the right direction?