As an underemployed (I think) writer, I decided to finally get off my duff and network some more. Maybe I will get a couple interviews out of it. Anyway, I've joined LinkedIn (probably two years too late) and I'm starting to reconnect with school buddies and making some professional contacts in the writing fields.
Additionally, I'm sending out resumes to not only newspapers, but PR firms and any other sort of agency that is in need of writers or editors. I got an e-mail the other day from a recruiter about advertising copy editing jobs, so there's another avenue for me.
This all sounds like I'm about to give Patch my two weeks notice, but that's not true. I have been informed that eventually an editorship will open up for me, and the window for that seems to be opening in the "second half of this year," which hopefully means "once I get back from Barbados." I do feel bad scouring other opportunities while on the Patch payroll, but I want to keep as many avenues open to me as possible. If/when I get the editorship and am working regularly, I'll probably feel a lot better about myself and be content that my talent is being utilized to its utmost.
With that being said, if anyone has any other advice on how I can increase my visibility and interwebs footprint (so I can become writing's 'most eligible bachelor' of sorts), please let me know. There may be kickbacks of any future salary I earn involved.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Sowing my Oats
As I sit here on my bed watching the Cubs game ("Christ, they're worse than they were last year," apologies to Bill Cosby), I realize I have some time to kill and decided to let all of you (*crickets*) know that I'm expanding my online presence by getting a LinkedIn account and a monster.com profile.
This may seem like I'm actively looking for a new job and, well, I am. I love Patch for the opportunity it gave me to get my foot in the door and do some "big boy" journalism, but I don't even know if I want to be a journalist for the rest of my career. I know I write well, and I think basic written communications are a valuable asset to any organization; I don't want to come off as a pompous ass, but after proofreading dozens and dozens of papers in all levels of school the low technical quality of most peoples' writing. Oh well, I shan't belabor the point.
Anyway, the story I was complaining about starting the other day actually came together swimmingly after a few more days of phone tag. Once my editor posts it on the site I'll encourage all of you to stop by and read it and tell me what you think. In the meantime, check out my LinkedIn and show it to all your hiring managers and HR people.
Oh, and help me figure out what I want to do with my life.
This may seem like I'm actively looking for a new job and, well, I am. I love Patch for the opportunity it gave me to get my foot in the door and do some "big boy" journalism, but I don't even know if I want to be a journalist for the rest of my career. I know I write well, and I think basic written communications are a valuable asset to any organization; I don't want to come off as a pompous ass, but after proofreading dozens and dozens of papers in all levels of school the low technical quality of most peoples' writing. Oh well, I shan't belabor the point.
Anyway, the story I was complaining about starting the other day actually came together swimmingly after a few more days of phone tag. Once my editor posts it on the site I'll encourage all of you to stop by and read it and tell me what you think. In the meantime, check out my LinkedIn and show it to all your hiring managers and HR people.
Oh, and help me figure out what I want to do with my life.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
A Little Update
Hello, world.
Contrary to nobody's belief, I am not dead. In fact, I am still working at Acworth Patch. It's been a wonderful experience and a great way to get my feet wet in the "real world" of journalism. Additionally, I've gotten to meet and work with some wonderful people like my Local Editor Angela Chao and my Regional Editor Michael Jacobs.
I've updated the sidebar on the right of the blog with a link to all the stories I've written so far. Please check them out! I'd love to have your feedback.
Right now, I'm working on a story that's got me a little frazzled. I've made four phone calls to the place with little or no headway made on setting up an interview, but I'm confident I'll get one soon. The joys of being a journalist!
The other story I'm rolling around in my head is a little romp through history explaining all the little known facts about Independence Day and the heady times this country had back in the 1770s. I'm trying to keep busy, but I need to be busier!
Thanks everyone,
-J
Contrary to nobody's belief, I am not dead. In fact, I am still working at Acworth Patch. It's been a wonderful experience and a great way to get my feet wet in the "real world" of journalism. Additionally, I've gotten to meet and work with some wonderful people like my Local Editor Angela Chao and my Regional Editor Michael Jacobs.
I've updated the sidebar on the right of the blog with a link to all the stories I've written so far. Please check them out! I'd love to have your feedback.
Right now, I'm working on a story that's got me a little frazzled. I've made four phone calls to the place with little or no headway made on setting up an interview, but I'm confident I'll get one soon. The joys of being a journalist!
The other story I'm rolling around in my head is a little romp through history explaining all the little known facts about Independence Day and the heady times this country had back in the 1770s. I'm trying to keep busy, but I need to be busier!
Thanks everyone,
-J
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