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November 29, 2009

Q. I’m an avid reader of your column, but I’ve never been compelled to write until now. I am an entry-level reporter, and I managed to land a job at a small weekly paper this year, but it has become clear to me that the current environment at the paper will not allow me to grow as a reporter and build a solid clip portfolio. I’ve been contemplating leaving the field in order to pursue grant writing.

I think the skills of a government/investigative reporter translate well, but I’m having trouble breaking in. I’ve seen previous columns of journalists transitioning into other industries. I wanted to know if you know of anyone who has made the jump to grant writing successfully, and what methods they used to make that transition?

Thank you,

Turning a Corner

A. It seems that a journalism career is not all it was cracked up to be for you. Others in your predicament have tried a second journalism job, figuring they maybe just started in the wrong newsroom.

But no matter. You are the best judge of your happiness.

Grant writing has rapidly become more competitive as foundations suffered in the 2008 financial markets meltdown and as universities and other places have stepped up their grant-seeking as a way to plug budget deficits.

If you have never written a successful grant — which seems to be the case — it’ll be tough to make the case that you are good at this.

Let me suggest two strategies and a resource. First, look for a grant-writing workshop in your area. Second, try to get some practice by offering to write a grant request for a local nonprofit. In the meantime, keep your job.

It makes sense that someone with your experience could be a good grant writer, but until you do it, you’re a long-shot.

That resource is this Poynter Online column by Garth Kriewall, a former journalist who now, among other things, writes grant requests.

His lesson is to find a job where grant-seeking is part of the job, but not the whole thing. This will allow you to use some of your skills for other activities. If you love grant writing, then try to grow that part of the job.

Coming Friday: A perennial question from people who have not yet finished college is whether they need to get a degree to break in or cross over into journalism. I’ll share some related insights.

What’s your career question? Send it here. I’ll send you an answer soon.

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Joe Grimm is a visiting editor in residence at the Michigan State University School of Journalism. He runs the JobsPage Website. From that, he published…
Joe Grimm

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