I came, I saw, I made it home: Inauguration 2009

My reflections on a once in a lifetime event.

Poynter Online – E-Media Tidbits

Check this quote from Poynter.org.

Jobs — including jobs in journalism — just aren’t what they used to be. Earlier this week, consultant Robert Patterson observed after reviewing trends in unemployment statistics that “the idea of a ‘job’ as a full-time object that can support a person or even a family, is disappearing.”

Now Patterson’s observation isn’t new. Jeremy Rifkin advanced the same idea back in 1995 with his seminal book, “The End of  Work.”  I read that book back in 2003, when I left journalism for teaching/freelancing.

Rifkin’s premise was interesting and frightening, because work is such a part of  our identity these days.

The article on Poynter goes on to talk about changes in journalism, a natural topic for a journalism education institute. Still, the discussions and comments I see on facebook groups like “Newspaper Escape Plan,”  as well as chats I’m having with my friends – and myself – have me convinced that white-collar workers are experiencing major identity crises.

We’re losing our livelihood, our primary identity, and we’re getting older.

Here’s what you can do with a journalism degree…

The lead singer, Omar Bilal Akhtar,  was a journalism major at Ohio Wesleyan University, where he edited the student newspaper. He returned to Pakistan and formed a rock band that has become fairly successful. Don’t let anyone tell you journalism won’t take you far.

The down and dirty part of journalism, pt. 2

Let’s talk about getting paid… or how I didn’t get paid.

Remember that posting about  Tribune Co., declaring bankruptcy? Well, I brushed my brow when I read it. I’d just gotten a check from the company and I’d deposited.

But my sigh of relief came too quickly.  The check came back because the company refused to honor it. Yes, they stopped payment on their check because they weren’t/aren’t paying freelancers.  So I’m out $420 – the amount of the check and the fee for “bouncing” it.

I didn’t curse. I laughed. That’s how I know I’ve become a new woman, at least where my occupation is concerned.

What are we working for?

This is a scary story from the New York Times about companies cutting their contributions to the 401K.

Let’s be clear: I took my finances in hand about 5 years ago, when I started teaching. But I really started contributing about two years ago, after taking care of an elderly relative who had nothing, I mean nothing set aside for retirement.

No health insurance, no life insurance, no pension. Nothing.

It was a frightening experience.

I’m not going to lie. For years I’ve asked myself whether I did the right thing by leaving my newspaper. After today, I don’t as much.