Welcome to SPJ Blogs Sign in | Join | Help

Like a fuzzy blanket

Job security. The phrase is often used, and until recently I didn't think much of it. But job security is a big deal. Knowing that you won't be laid off or fired can make a job much less stressful. How many of you feel you're secure in your position? Do you picture yourself at the same job in years to come?

I feel secure in my job, even knowing there are layoffs in other areas of the newspaper. Also, I feel I contribute enough to make myself an asset to the paper, and in that I also feel secure. This may be naive, but I see this as an industry I'll stay in, through the good and bad times. And it may be we young'uns are starting out in a bad time, moneywise. I don't think this is unique to newspapers, but I don't really know. Are magazines, television and radio facing the same challenges?

And at your job - is security something you think about often? Do you feel your job is at risk or are you comforted by the work you do?
Published Friday, June 15, 2007 11:05 PM by ElysseJames
Filed Under:

Comments

# re: Like a fuzzy blanket

Monday, June 18, 2007 2:33 AM by SonyaSmith
I feel pretty comfortable.
Unfortunately - with layoffs hitting most newspapers the young, low-paid, multi-tasking and ambitious people are the opposite of who will be taking the cuts. I'm not saying that to be cruel - that just makes sense (in most cases) for the future of newspapers.
But, I agree that people who work hard and adapt easily will still find journalism jobs in the future.

# re: Like a fuzzy blanket

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 3:32 PM by GenePark
Like I mentioned in my other reply, I've never been more fearful of my job security as I have been now. I am young, and I adapt like chameleons do, but that doesn't make me unexpendable.

I talk with broadcast folks all the time, and there are cuts in those stations as well, much to the detriment of the overall quallity of reporting. They get paid even less than I do, which must be horrifying.

# re: Like a fuzzy blanket

Wednesday, June 20, 2007 2:44 AM by Brea Jones
I work in new media, so I think that gives me a level of job security a lot of the print people around me don't have.

# re: Like a fuzzy blanket

Wednesday, June 20, 2007 4:36 PM by ElysseJames
What is new media? Is that Web/video-type work?

# re: Like a fuzzy blanket

Thursday, June 21, 2007 2:05 AM by Brea Jones
I work for a newspaper Web site doing primarily Web content production. New media is a common umbrella term for journalism on the Web and technologies such as multimedia, e-mail news, text messages, RSS, user-generated content, etc.

Anyone have a better definition?  

# re: Like a fuzzy blanket

Thursday, June 21, 2007 12:29 PM by SonyaSmith
Brea that definition was perfect. We're certainly venturing off on journalism 2.0, but we're all just figuring out what to do and where to go. Brea, could you share some advice for beginning reporters on what we should be doing to be better "new media" reporters. I know of some things, but I'd really like to hear what you have to say. Thanks again for commenting here!

# re: Like a fuzzy blanket

Thursday, June 21, 2007 6:18 PM by Brea Jones
I'm hardly an expert, but I've been working for just shy of a year at a midsize daily in California. I think the best thing anyone can do is be open to possibilities for multimedia. If there are Web people at your newspaper, get to know them, brainstorm with them and follow through. If you don't have a web producer, let your editor know you are interested in multimedia.

Also, don't be afraid of failure and don't worry if your first effort isn't your best. Just like every phone call may not yield a story, every time you bring out a video camera or audio recorder, you may not publish it on the Web.

Try multimedia for profiles, weekend pieces or long-term projects where you have plenty of time to edit.

If your newsroom doesn't have a video camera, try working with a photographer to create an audio slideshow.

# re: Like a fuzzy blanket

Thursday, June 21, 2007 10:42 PM by ElysseJames
These comments have given me an idea!! Thanks for sharing! I've been off-and-on with Web ideas and so far the most innovative thing I've done is update our agenda online regularly. But your multimedia definition gives me a new starting place :)
Anonymous comments are disabled. Please log in or create an account to comment on this article.