Q: I’ve been working in sales
for the last few years but have not been very happy. Recently, I lost
my job at a promotional marketing company and am hoping to use my
layoff as a chance to move to a career that I would find more enjoyable
and fulfilling.
I have terrific writing, organization and
research skills, as well as a master’s degree in history. Not only
that, but I have found that I am at my best when I’m working under the
pressure of a deadline. I feel like I would not only enjoy a job in
print media as a reporter/writer, but I’d be great at it, too.
Unfortunately, I have virtually no experience working as a writer or
journalist of any kind.
Are my skills marketable without any
experience to back them up? If so, do you have any recommendations on
how to get my foot in the door?
Missouri
A:
Breaking into journalism is a show-and-tell proposition. You have to
show what you can do, as well as talk about it. At minimum, you’ll need
half a dozen good stories to show prospective editors. To get to half a
dozen good ones, you’ll have to write at least 20. Freelancing could
get you there. But the starting salary for someone with beginning
journalism experience may not match your needs.
A master’s
degree in journalism would be another route to go, if you have the time
and money, and likely would help you to a larger first paper —
provided you can show those good work samples.
