[Journalists] Finding a Job

Mon Feb 10 21:26:47 UTC 2014

Heyya there Jordan: Think that Liz has given you some great pointers here. 
As a radio guy for 22 years. I'd say at this point. You need to idintify 
what type of Journalist you would like to be. A writer? A radio guy? 
Something behind the scenes? Only you can answer that. For me. Yes, I've 
done most everything in radio. I've spun the hits. Done swop shop. Farm 
reports. Ran the board for sporting events. Reported on everything from 
shootings, to major crashes on the interstates, etc. But, what I wanted to 
do is news. I had to find a way to get in to that. In other words, I had to 
carve myself a nitch. One of the things which I did early on was I would 
listen to scanners. Yes, I've always loved them & had several around. But, 
I'd listen & call in breaking news reports to a local radio station once I 
moved back to Chattanooga from doing small town radio. I also would listen 
for traffic accidents on my scanners & call a local traffic company & pass 
them on to them. After 6 months or so of doing this. The traffic company 
hired me full time as they took on new stations. I was then able to 
translate this in to doing on air work when someone was absent, busy, etc. 
After awhile, I was put on air full time for them. Even got to start flying 
in the plane & helicopter... Which was so much fun. I was also able to lend 
my technical skills for their scanners, 2 way radios, computers, etc. When 
one group of stations decided to take their traffic reporting in house. They 
called me & asked me to come aboard with them. I did, am still with them 
doing breaking news & traffic on the air as well as on twitter. I have also 
added my weather reporting skills to the mix as well. I don't tell you all 
this to brag. I tell you all this to tell you. I've been one hell of a lucky 
guy. I tell you this to give you some tips on how to get your foot in the 
door. You really have to create yourself a nitch that will show off your 
skills. You're on the write track as far as writing a blog. That's a great 
way to showcase your writing & reporting skills. So, make sure that you keep 
that up. Yes, right now it isn't providing money, but, it is providing great 
resumé material. I also tell you all that to tell you this. Hang in there. 
Yes, radio, tv & the news paper business are very different than when I got 
in them years ago. Good luck, hope that this will give you hope & strength 
to carry on & if I can help further. Please feel free to write me off list.
###
Sean Paul
News & Traffic Reporter
Cumulus_Chattanooga
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Elizabeth Campbell" <liz at star-telegram.com>
To: "Blind Professional Journalists List" <journalists at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, February 10, 2014 16:06
Subject: Re: [Journalists] Finding a Job


> HI Jordan,
> Feel free to contact me off list. My contact information is below.
> Journalism is going through incredible changes, and we are still figuring
> out the digital landscape, so to speak.
> I am totally blind, so taking photos and shooting videos for the
> Star-Telegram where I work isn't an option. But think of other ways you
> can contribute. What about adding audio to stories? Also, become very
> proficient on Twitter, Google Plus and Facebook. I am trying to figure out
> Google Plus as I write this, as I find the social networking tool a bit
> difficult to navigate.
>
> Best
>
> Liz
>
> Elizabeth Campbell
> legal affairs/general assignments reporter
> (O 817-390-7696
> (c) 817-247-6862
> liz at star-telegram.com
> Twitter @fwstliz
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Journalists [mailto:journalists-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Jordan Moon
> Sent: Monday, February 10, 2014 1:16 PM
> To: journalists at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Journalists] Finding a Job
>
> Hello all!
>
>    I am legally blind and a May 2012 graduate of the Walter Cronkite
> School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State
> University. I also received a degree in political science from ASU.
>
>   For the past year and a half, I have been trying to find jobs but I
> either don't have enough experience or they hire someone who the
> employer feels they can count on because a lot of digital journalism
> is visual. I even tried looking for internships, but companies want to
> only hire someone who is still in school for those. I have been
> discouraged and sad at times, willing to give up. But when the thought
> of giving up forms into reality, it simply goes away and I proceed
> with my journalism ambitions.
>
>    I started a blog that showcases my writing and digital skills. It
> covers issues that the blind and deaf communities face in a way that
> doesn't advocate, but explains. The link to my blog can be found at
> the bottom of the e-mail. Although this keeps me busy, it still
> doesn't provide me with the income I need. I was wondering if anyone
> has any ideas about the road I should travel in order to find a job?
> Or does anyone have any job leads? I am mostly in Arizona and
> California, but I wouldn't mind working anywhere around the country.
> How can I find internships or fellowships that will hire a person who
> is legally blind and almost two years out of school? Help would be
> greatly appreciated.
>
>   Feel free to e-mail me personally. I appreciate this list and look
> forward to hearing from you all!
> Thank you and have a great week,
>       --
> Jordan Moon
>
> Editor, "The Perfect Defect"
>
> http://theperfectdefect.wordpress.com/
>
> Twitter: @theperfdefect
>
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