Recent College Grad Seeks Advice and Insight on the Current State of Journalism and Its Career Landscape from an Experienced Professional's Perspective
I graduated this June with a bachelor's in journalism just as I turned 39. Podcasts like "This American Life" and "Radiolab" inspired me to further my education, and I found myself so engrossed that everything else faded away. While I felt confident in my decision to pursue journalism, it wasn't an easy feat by any stretch of the imagination. I maxed out financial aid, took out private loans, and had to work to support myself. I attended four classes per term during the day and worked swing shifts as a warehouse worker, enduring grueling physical labor and harsh weather conditions with no heat or AC. On tough days, I often wondered, "Haven't I proved myself yet?" I felt like no one deserved this more than me. However, while I was in school, the journalism landscape was changing rapidly. Misinformation, disinformation, and fake news were on the rise. AI and tools like ChatGPT were being introduced and spreading like wildfire, impacting fact-checking and creating inaccuracies. Suddenly, the value of my degree seemed to drop. I doubted my abilities as a journalist and compared myself to others who appeared more successful in the field. As I raced toward graduation, I faced an uncertain future with a mountain of student debt and a fancy paper with my name on it. For someone who's been in the field longer, how have you seen journalism change, for better or worse? What is the job landscape like now for aspiring journalists, and how does it compare to when you first started? Something you touched on in one of your recent podcasts really resonated with me—overcoming the discomfort and awkwardness that come with reporting. Hearing you confront it felt refreshing. I often wondered if it was supposed to feel more natural and if maybe I wasn't cut out for reporting. Does it get easier over time, or will there always be some level of awkwardness? What are your thoughts on the subscription service for "This American Life"? As you mentioned, "with the direction the podcast industry has been going—with plummeting ad revenues—we had to find some new source of money." Thanks for letting me share, and thank you for the great work you do.
Recent College Grad Seeks Advice and Insight on the Current State of Journalism and Its Career Landscape from an Experienced Professional's Perspective
For someone who's been in the field longer, how have you seen journalism change, for better or worse? How does the job landscape for aspiring journalists compare to when you started? In a recent podcast, you discussed overcoming the discomfort and awkwardness of reporting, which resonated with me. I often wonder if it should feel more natural or if I'm not cut out for it. Does it get easier, or is awkwardness always present? What are your thoughts on the subscription service for "This American Life" given declining ad revenues?