Re(2): Nother cup of coffee? Posted on February 4, 2022 at 06:33:22 PM by Career Counslor
We grew up in KC. She hated it and it didn't pay well, compared to KC where she doubled her salary and again, I was in broadcasting.
While fun, it didn't pay well unless you have an anchor job and there are few opportunities for jobs in the same broadcast markets where there are only 3 potential employers. KC actually has the same problem, out in the middle of nowhere. I hadn't quite yet built up marketable skills to get out of that vagabond industry.
That's hard, because journalism and affiliate TV technical work are niche industries where there are very few employers...usually only 3 in the same markets. In programming and IT management, there are hundreds of jobs and they all paid well IF you have the skills.
I really don't know many people who followed my career track that DIDN'T get out eventually. There just isn't that much stability in the media. When ND's move around every 3-4 years, they bring in their old management teams with them. They like people they themselves hire, not deputies they inherited. And in computer work, the best way to find out what you like is to get an easy gig as a contractor. I worked for one of the biggest in the country, HQ in Virginia.
Tho without benefits or long term security, those pay VERY well but tend to last only a couple years. Yet their big clients look great on a resume because major corporations tend to have a lot of prestige. And contracting agencies find the jobs for their stable of people and they make their money by placing you. Perfect if your spouse is the anchor, stable breadwinner.
Companies like that too. Few benefits, they fill specialty needs and can look over contractor workers to see if they're a good match. Hallmarks always done that. The artists and creators were Hallmarkers, and every other skill was contracted like FoodSvc, Bldg management, computer tech, acctg and personnel. And everywhere ya go, you flush out your skills. I stayed in broadcasting ten years too long!
Just know that in 50 years, a worker's career objectives change as they marry, have kids, put em thru school, and then kick back. Gone are the days when ya work for Ford, TWA, NY Life, or the phone company for 30 years!
In 1990, I put up several HowTo websites, one a career counseling website as my kids were studying and hitting the job market with their skills. In those early website days, I had dozens of colleges linking their students to it and writing me on how to start a rewarding career. Easy work for a career journalist to research and write about. That too ended up on my resume. I do that now even in retirement. Replies: