Poynter has a regularly updated post up about newsroom layoffs, furloughs and closures. To me, it’s hard to watch all the publications and professionals being impacted by the pandemic. I wonder how the pandemic may change the media, and also how it may shift for the better.
There are no easy answers on this, I suppose. A shift is happening, though, as many people are considering career changes. For writers and media folks, that may mean switching jobs. But I imagine others are thinking of taking up a new career in a different industry.
I liked what a post in The Muse had to say about career changes, because they pose some useful questions to ask if you are considering a change. These include:
- Do I Have the Financial Resources to Support a Career Change?
- Do I Want to Change Careers, or Do I Just Not Like Working During a Pandemic?
- What Am I Looking For in My New Career?
- What Is My Mental and Emotional State Right Now?
I’ve always loved that journalism develops a diverse skillset. That is, I think it’s a great foundation to do something else if you so choose. Journos aren’t just writers–they’re great at researching, organizing information, interacting with others, managing content. There are so many alternative career choices for those who choose to leave journalism or the media world altogether.
At the same time, I am concerned that the upset from the pandemic could result in less diversity in our field. It could essentially force out quality journalists. It could also bring in new ones.
So for those thinking of leaving journalism, specifically, I hope the coming weeks and months greet you with a renewed sense of motivation and personal awakening. You do have a broad set of skills that can be applied to a wide variety of careers. I know the pandemic has been rough, but I wish you the best.
Kristen Fischer is a copywriter and journalist living at the Jersey Shore. She worked as a reporter and copyeditor for Gannett before launching her full-time freelance business in 2005. Her work has been published in Parents, New Jersey Monthly, Prevention, Woman’s Day, SheKnows, and Healthline.
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