Should I stay or should I go? How to decide whether it’s time to leave your journalism job

The media industry has been messy lately. Consolidation, layoffs, ownership priorities and public disputes seem to be making as much news as the actual news. The instability — and all the spilled media tea — leaves a bad taste.

If you’re working through that instability, how do you evaluate whether it’s worth it to stay, or whether it’s time to move on?

We’re privy to a lot of conversations, insights and takes about the state of the media industry, and we’re hearing the same worries from people all over the industry — from executives to people at the start of their careers. Figuring this out without a framework for deciding can be paralyzing, lead to burnout and add despair to an already stressful situation. It can also lead you to make a decision you’re not sure is right.

We came up with some questions and advice to think about when you’re trying to decide your next move.

Do your values align with your ownership, the company and the direction they are going?

Megan Griffith-Greene: We all want to use our powers — and our time — for good; it’s what brought many of us to journalism. And in the present moment, when the future of our democracy and the free press are very much at stake, this question is hanging over a lot of people in our industry.

Two pieces of context, though: First, it has always been this way. Always. And second: That’s a good thing. We should never stop asking this question. If we want journalism to be better, it starts with us. We should demand more for ourselves, our news organizations and the communities we serve.

So what do you do when your organization drifts — or lurches — away from your personal values? There are two ways to resolve this. The simplest one: You can quit and find work for an organization that you feel confident defending. The second: Evaluate whether there’s a way for you to do work you believe in, even if there’s misalignment with the broader organization. Sometimes that’s about the work you can do, sometimes that’s about the relationship with your boss and team. If you opt for the latter, the important thing is to keep interrogating it. Keep checking in; keep making sure the ratio of good work to bad feelings is one you can live with.

Tony Elkins: You may view journalism as your calling and mission and want your work to have an impact, but that becomes incredibly difficult to accomplish when your core values are in direct conflict with your organization’s goals — and the methods they use to accomplish them. If you and your workplace are misaligned, it’s a catalyst for doubt, anxiety, anger, exhaustion and burnout. When those issues start to take root, it’s really hard to move past them. That’s when you look to your direct leadership to see if they are protecting you and your work, along with your peers.

Maybe you don’t align with the leadership. But can you do good journalism in your current position?

Elkins: Does your boss have your back? A great leader has the skills to navigate complex office politics, workflows and ownership demands. It’s an invaluable skill set, especially in larger organizations.

I’ve been in a newsroom where our executive editor and publisher protected our team from an owner who opposed a story we published. Our leadership not only shielded us, they defended our journalism and the community members we spotlighted. I’ve been in other organizations where leadership wouldn’t describe why decisions were made, accountability was passed to other people and “open door policies” were slammed shut when pressed for hard answers.

Both roles were rewarding, stressful, nerve-wracking and fun, but the job is much easier to do when your boss believes in you and your work, and is willing to put themselves at risk for their team. They can inspire even the most critical journalists to stay in an organization going through exhausting change.

Griffith-Greene: Ask yourself: If you have an idea that you really care about, how likely do you think you are to get the buy-in, support and resources you need to do it well? This moment demands whatever creativity and ingenuity we can muster, and our jobs are more satisfying when we are given the opportunity to think big and explore cool ideas. Frustration and resentment can fester when we don’t see a realistic pathway to grow, stretch, contribute and learn.

On the flip side, we’re living in stressful times, and ambition may not be your No. 1 priority right now. There’s no shame in treading water as long as you’re doing it with your eyes open.

If you’re checked out, it’s time to come up with a plan to either re-engage or move on. Staying when you’re checked out will only increase your alienation from the work, and damage your effectiveness and ultimately your reputation.

What financial realities do you need to consider? Can/should you start looking while you have a job?

Elkins: We all wish we had “F-you money” and could take a bold, flashy stand that makes it in every morning media newsletter, but the truth is many of us rely on the jobs we have to provide our basic needs.

If you’re looking to leave your current situation, the first thing I would recommend is to be very particular about where you want to land. What type of organization would you like to work for? Do their values align with yours? Are they in danger of consolidation, buyout or merger? Do you want to work in more prominent, larger newsrooms or can you take a risk and work for a smaller, focused nonprofit or startup? Are you able or willing to relocate to make it happen? And don’t forget, the second you start putting out feelers for your next role, word might get back to someone at your current company.

Before you take any action, I encourage you to create a plan. Be specific about what you want to do, who you want to work for, who you can trust to consult with and what happens when word gets back to your boss that you’re looking. It’s also worth noting that a pay cut can sometimes be the better option if a new role aligns with the values, goals and vision you defined for yourself. I took a pay cut for this role and there’s not a second I regret it, even though it did require some lifestyle changes.

Griffith-Greene: Look, it’s great if you can build a little financial cushion for when you need it. But for most journalists, it may not be possible to build up enough to be able to quit your job without lining something else up first. No matter where you’re at financially, start with the relatively stressful task of really evaluating your finances and how much you actually need to make. Don’t guess. This is especially helpful if you feel trapped by a paycheck you’re not sure you can match elsewhere. Take stock and see what a real range for what will work for you could look like.

Don’t evaluate future opportunities by paycheck alone. And when you’re looking around for your next role, don’t just leap because you’re desperate to leave your current role. When you’re feeling desperate, it’s easy to jump at any opportunity that comes up, or think that a higher salary or better title are the best ways to evaluate your next move. If you can afford it, pickiness is a virtue. It helps you guard against the danger that you’re just trading the wall you’re banging your head against for another wall you will bang your head against.

How do you deal with the emotions of leaving? What’s your relationship like with your team?

Griffith-Greene: I had a job early in my career that had become unsustainable. I wasn’t wild about the new leadership or the direction they were heading. I felt triumphant when I got a new job and was so excited to quit. But when I went in to deliver the news, I immediately burst into tears.

Leaving is emotional, especially when you feel you’ve poured your sweat into your work. Reality check: When you leave, some projects that you championed may die. Some people who you have developed may lose support. Do what you can to safeguard the work and people you care about, but feeling compelled to stay in a role because of this is a trap.

Also, resist the urge to rage-quit. It will (probably) only hurt you in the long run.

Elkins: Guilt can be an overwhelming emotion here. It’s easy to feel paralyzed by fear of leaving your team to fend for themselves, feeling like you’re abandoning your coworkers and the people who rely on the reporting or products you create. We work hard to foster work relationships, sources, audiences and our own skill sets. It’s a very heavy emotional weight to walk away from all of that. Even if you don’t like your current job or company, it’s sometimes more comfortable to neglect your own needs than to take a new risk.

But it’s important to understand you are only responsible for your needs and you ultimately have to advocate for yourself over the needs of others. If the current situation is not good for them, hope they are able to realize it themselves and find a solution that works for them.

What if you want to start your own newsletter, podcast, service or product?

Elkins: It’s never been easier to offer a media product or service. Technology platforms have lowered the barrier to entry for starting a newsletter, website, video channel or podcast to near zero. Maybe you have a really good idea, an audience and all the skills to deliver a much-needed product to waiting customers, but there’s so much more that has to happen before then.

Do you have the financial runway to build it? Are your basic needs and healthcare covered? It might be a year, or two, or three, before you start earning enough to pay yourself, and it’s imperative to have a financial readiness plan in place. Do you know the difference between an LLC and a S-Corp? And that you have to file quarterly taxes? The first thing I would suggest is get help with understanding the business filings for your state and then hire an accountant. It’s better to spend the money upfront than chase down a problem years later and owe back taxes or legal fees.

In addition, be ready to be the content producer, human resources and benefits representative, social media strategist, audience analyst, revenue executive, IT support and project manager. It really requires a lot more time than a traditional 9-to-5 job.

Griffith-Greene: Going solo is especially appealing if you’re feeling really restricted inside a large media organization. And making the jump is more feasible than it ever has been before. But it may have to be only a part of your strategy. According to a 2025 Muck Rack study, just 6% of creator journalists said self-publishing is their full-time income, and another 10% make at least half of their income this way. If you want to make the jump, there are resources to help you. But go in with a realistic assessment of the runway you’ll need and the supplemental work that you may need to diversify your revenue.

Should you leave journalism?

Elkins: I’ve been asked this question a lot lately. I’ve asked it myself many times before.

Years ago, I was pondering a move to a tech company. I told my therapist I needed more stability, less daily stress and a job that didn’t require knowing everything happening in the world. He happened to see mostly tech workers, and very explicitly told me to be careful what I wish for, and to really research the field/company I was thinking about entering. I found out there was just as much stress, but for different reasons. Revenue and productivity ruled the day. It was highly competitive and quantity, not quality, was the goal. That didn’t align with my personal values, so I chose to stay.

If you’re wrestling with the same question, I cannot encourage you enough to put a lot of effort and exploration into the things you are interested in. Reach out to people in your networks to discuss your alternatives, treat your job search like a job — with specific hours, goals and accomplishments — learn a new skill you have been putting off and stay on top of your physical and mental health.

Griffith-Greene: In the past five years, I’ve seen more people in my network leave the industry than ever before. I’ve heard an overwhelming chorus from many that joining a new newsroom just means restarting the clock; that a new newsroom just means a new version of the same leadership issues, ownership decisions, whiplash change in vision and strategy and any number of other problems that make people want to leave their current role.

I’m not here to tell you that staying or leaving the industry is wrong or right. It’s a very personal call. We care a lot about this work and that’s why it breaks our hearts sometimes. However, another shift I have seen: Leaving journalism isn’t as permanent an exit as it was 10 or 15 years ago. Many people move back and forth between the worlds.

OK, I will offer the tiniest of guilt trips here: Journalism needs smart, creative people who will still be standing on the other side of what we’re facing right now. If you can be with us, stay. And if you need a break for a little while, we’ll still be here if you want to come back.

Additional resources: Poynter offers coaching programs offering practical, long-lasting support that empowers individuals to navigate change, refine strategy, step into new roles and move forward with clarity and confidence.