Reporting is one of the worst jobs? Really?
* The 10 Worst Jobs of 2012 || Newspaper reporter is 196 of 200
* Newspaper reporter was 184 in the 2010 list || It was 188 in 2011
* Earlier: Journalism is No. 1 on “Most Useless Degrees” list
1 comment
Newspaper reporting has always been terrible work, with the exception of a juicy period in the 1970s and 80s and 90s where it actually involved some bucks for reporters lucky enough to work for companies that went public and had some money to spread around. At the same time, when I started in 1968 at a small paper in Pennsylvania, I had no illusions. The editor told me to get a job at the phone company in public relations because at least it had a future. I can’t think of a single place between 1968 and 1979 that might have been described as comfortable and dependable. UPI was notorious for having shitty locations, but everyone I knew absolutely loved working in them. It was never about money, beyond a few bucks a week less than what you needed to meet your needs. On the other hand, shitty or not, I can’t think of a single journalism job in 40 years of working for wire services and papers that I didn’t really love and wouldn’t be delighted to go back to. The fact that it’s so funky now will play the same role as its historical funkiness played in the past: if you don’t love it, you shouldn’t do it. Yes, reporters are exploited by their employers and cast off like cicada husks after a certain point. But this isn’t news in anyone’s book. Whoopie for the digital life, which is also cheap and a little tawdry in some cases. But if you love it, just go for it. I would like to note that I admire firefighters more than just about anybody. That’s not a good job either, according to this rating. So…well, that’s enough.