So, I was offered a reporting job today... [Archive]

Kelvin Hemholtz

Jul 27th 2006, 10:14 PM

Hey student... from experience: IF there is a CONTRACT - no way in hell should you do this. You probably qualify for welfare on some level with that salary. If they won't relocate you at THEIR expense, be realistic. Is that going to set you back too much to move?

Now IF they DO NOT ask for a contract, then I'd say go for it. You could make a decent tape. If they move you, that's a LOT better.

Sounds like they don't expect people to hang around long at that pay. Find out how long they expect you to stay.

I did everything exactly the opposite of the way I am coaching you - and yeah, my life turned out just great anyhow thanks. But as someone who moved on their own dime (with a lot of help from parents) and worked for $10K/yr ...I found it cost me more on job #2 and #3 as well because they knew how much I made and could lowball me and another $2K sounded great.

Being driven is GREAT. We all pretty much start that way. Being financially REALISTIC is harder. Find the BALANCE.

Either way, don't go anywhere expecting anyone owes you anything. Don't cop an attitude. That's not what I am saying. Just remember nobody looks out for you but you. Bring SOLID work to the station no matter where you start and things will always work out for you.

Desert Rat

Jul 27th 2006, 10:35 PM

News student....

I wonder how much your college education cost you to get that 6.50/hr. job..

Remember though, you're gonna be on TVeeeee!

platypus

Jul 28th 2006, 04:19 AM

I agree

Originally posted by Kelvin Hemholtz:
Hey student... from experience: IF there is a CONTRACT - no way in hell should you do this. You probably qualify for welfare on some level with that salary. If they won't relocate you at THEIR expense, be realistic. Is that going to set you back too much to move?

Now IF they DO NOT ask for a contract, then I'd say go for it. You could make a decent tape. If they move you, that's a LOT better.

Sounds like they don't expect people to hang around long at that pay. Find out how long they expect you to stay.

I did everything exactly the opposite of the way I am coaching you - and yeah, my life turned out just great anyhow thanks. But as someone who moved on their own dime (with a lot of help from parents) and worked for $10K/yr ...I found it cost me more on job #2 and #3 as well because they knew how much I made and could lowball me and another $2K sounded great.

Being driven is GREAT. We all pretty much start that way. Being financially REALISTIC is harder. Find the BALANCE.

Either way, don't go anywhere expecting anyone owes you anything. Don't cop an attitude. That's not what I am saying. Just remember nobody looks out for you but you. Bring SOLID work to the station no matter where you start and things will always work out for you.

facts

Jul 28th 2006, 04:27 AM

Originally posted by Vulcan:
$13,520

before taxes

My first job was 12,000.. that was more than 10 years ago, so I'm thinking it was about the same.
Take the job.

newschick26

Jul 28th 2006, 04:37 AM

When I started in this biz, I didn't make much more. I also got a part time job to supplement it. I lived on a lot of ramen, and occasionally ate parmesan cheese right out of the can for dinner.
I'm glad I had it so tough, though. It gave me the initiative to get better, all that much faster. And, it taught me how to stretch a dollar really far. It's character building. Go for it. I had a friend who made $50K right out of college working in computers, and by the time he lost his job 7 years later he was making $80. He had know clue how to buy a week's worth of groceries on $25. Use this as not just a job learning experience, but a life experience.

No Talent Hack

Jul 28th 2006, 04:52 AM

I ran into the whole $16K a year, living the $30K a year lifestyle.
VISA and Mastercard can help now, but they can really bite you down the road.

Learn to live within your means - and $6.50 an hour isn't much. If you're in this industry and even contemplating this position, then mommy and daddy can more than likely help you out. Just ask them for a monthly stipend and you'll be fine.

Yeah, the great thing about this whole thing is, though, you're going to be a CELEBRITY. Remember that - you'll be a STAR!!! People will recognize you...especially when you're using food stamps to buy your food graemlins/eusa_doh.gif

No Talent Hack

Jul 28th 2006, 04:54 AM

"Art in the garden is the human element appropriating and elevating the natural for human purpose."

Hey newschick, does this signature quote have anything to do with a certain piercing in a certain region?? ...Yummy

TAFKA wacowx

Jul 28th 2006, 05:10 AM

Be VERY careful to not put off your expenses onto your next few jobs. In other words, do NOT use credit cards. If you have to for the move, think again about doing it...even though uncompensated moving expenses are tax deductible, even for folks who don't itemize.

If you take the job:

Find a roommate...sounds like at those salaries, lots of your coworkers will be trying to live with less too.

Avoid all the extras...do you REALLY need cable? High-speed internet? A new car? more than one phone (pick either a cell or landland but not both...make sure you are frugal with your calls too.)

Take lunches and snacks with you do NOT buy from the snack/soda machines.

DO NOT USE A CREDIT CARD!!!!!

Budget!!!

Seek out assistance...you will probably qualify for food stamps.

Put away at least 10 or 20 bucks a pay for emergencies(car repair, etc...not wanting to throw a party or take a weekend trip somewhere)...it keeps you from having to use a credit card.

DO NOT USE A CREDIT CARD!!!!!

Look for another part-time job that you can do along with this one.

Can you get along without a car? Can you live close enough to work to walk? Not owning a car will cut out hundreds for car insurance, thousands a year for gas and maintainance.

Defer your student loans...it's going to be hard to pay them on this salary...if you have any.

I started at $16.5K but stupid me, I lived like I was making $25K or more and ran up credit card bills which led the credit companies to offer me...even more credit. My wife and I together, now make over $60K a year, but we are living more like we make closer to $20,000 because most of our salary goes to the credit card companies. :mad:

Lastly....how long did it take for you to get this offer? If it has been a couple of months (meaning you just graduated in May)wait for the next job. If you have been sending out hundreds of tapes with no bites but this, maybe think again about this field. :( A salary that low should really only be considered by a fresh-out-of-college local who can live with parents.

[ July 28, 2006, 06:12 AM: Message edited by: WacoWX ]

Bill-1

Jul 28th 2006, 05:18 AM

Don't take it. Find something better. If enough people pass on those crappy offers they will have to offer more.

facts

Jul 28th 2006, 05:35 AM

Originally posted by Bill-1:
Don't take it. Find something better. If enough people pass on those crappy offers they will have to offer more.That's the problem. Someone else will take it. This is like advising the young man (woman?) to walk to work because that will help bring down the price of gas. It would, if everyone did it. But if you're the only one, you're not accomplishing much.

Anne Bonney

Jul 28th 2006, 06:04 AM

Wow, that's very, very low - on so many levels. This HAS to be the lowest paying college degree profession these days.

Seriously consider what you want in terms of your future. Is being on TV important to you? You have to decide - now's a good time.

I'd steer you towards Promotion - starting pay is quite a bit better. However, even this part of the biz is facing budget cuts.

Good luck.

The Mockingbird

Jul 28th 2006, 06:08 AM

My first TV job paid $8/hour, and that was in 1996...

Screw 'em. Find something better.

[ July 28, 2006, 07:10 AM: Message edited by: The Mockingbird ]

TJAB 23

Jul 28th 2006, 06:35 AM

Where is the job!?!?!?!

SpxGrunt

Jul 28th 2006, 06:37 AM

Don't start off in debt. Unless your next job is network, you'll spend years paying it off.

no ifb

Jul 28th 2006, 06:48 AM

Take the job. And if you really want to be in the business, get ready for more sh!t. Consider it a rite of passage...most of us have done it. If you're worth your salt, it won't last long.

I agree with Waco. Get a roommate, get used to Ramen noodles, cheap hot dogs and mac cheese (store brand of course, Kraft comes on job 2) and live like you're on welfare.

Then, work like heck to get out. Learn as much as you can. You might have to shoot, edit, produce and sweep snow off the sat dishes, but you'll be better prepared for the next gig.

If you have to sign a contract, that sucks. But at least you know when you can leave. Grin and bear it until then.

My first job paid $10k, which comes to about $4.80 an hour. I was too stupid to get a roommate so every other week, I handed my paycheck to the landlord and got $58 back. I remember having a flat tire and having to ask my parents for $75 to pay for it. Humiliating.

My boss knew the pay sucked, he apologized for it when hiring me (like he cared!) but he also showed me a stack of resumes from eager college students (like me) who were willing to work for peanuts. That was 21 years ago. Some things never change.

John M.

Jul 28th 2006, 06:49 AM

Originally posted by news student:
I know ... And a foot in the door is all I want. I knew getting into this the money was terrible. But I don't have a clue how to live on that offer.It won't be easy but you can do it. You'll have to learn how to separate what really are wants from what truly are needs. You are also going to have to learn to be more self-sufficient.

Do you have a cell phone? Then don't get a home phone. As mentioned, cable TV and high-speed Internet are not life necessities. Hard to believe, I know, but I kid you not. My local library offers free wi-fi access, not to mention DVDs I can rent or, in the most dire circumstances, books I can borrow if I need free entertainment.

(Reading, I learned by happy accident, has the added benefit of improving your writing. Read out loud, especially works with good dialogue, and you'll sharpen your on-air delivery while you're at it.)

Learn to cook and make meals at home. Restaurant meals fatten your butt and thin your wallet. Bring lunch to work. If you're out in the field and can't eat at the station, skip the Mickey D's and pop into the local grocery for a couple of bagels and some yogurt. You'll feel just as full for a fraction of the cost.

Go out rarely. It kills your budget. For the price of one drink in a bar you can buy a six-pack of beer. Hang out with friends at your or their place. Sleep over to sleep off the effects. If you think you have money problems now, wait until you rack up a DUI.

Buy clothes you can machine wash and learn how to care for them. Mixed well, it doesn't take too many combinations of shirts and ties (or blouses) to vary your look even if you're alternating the same two or three suit jackets. Buy clothes at discount stores such as Marshall's or TJ Maxx. The brands are the same and who's going to know if the blue dress shirt is from last year's collection?

Roommates have also been suggested already. Here's another idea: See if a family in the place you're going will rent a room in their home. You get daily interaction with people in the community and you don't have to worry about furnishing the place. They might even have cable!

Which brings me to the next point. How much are your moving expenses? At your age you shouldn't be moving anything more than what will fit in your car. You'll likely barely have it all out of the boxes before you have to pack it all back up again anyway. Travel light. Ask your parents to store bigger things for you that you can retrieve once you get into a more permanent place (literally and figuratively).

This is obviously not a complete list. If you're a reporter you can do some more digging.

Order Up

Jul 28th 2006, 06:53 AM

I once knew a reporter who went to go get food stamps...people in line recognized her. Asked if she was doing a story. She said no...I qualify for food stamps. The whole crew got a raise (granted a small one) the next week.

MyracleMan

Jul 28th 2006, 06:53 AM

Originally posted by news student:
... for $6.50 an hour.Is this full time or part time? Is there a contract involved? How far would you have to move? What market size is the offer in?

NoName

Jul 28th 2006, 06:58 AM

Should you decide to accept this offer (notice I'm not advising which way to go):

1. Live with family, if possible, or a roommate.
2. Do NOT order out. Learn to cook your meals ahead of time and pack your food. Buy frozen veggies/bagels/ramen/fruit and/or bulk foods; freeze and use as needed. It's cheaper. Watch the canned/processed stuff.
3. Make your wardrobe mix/match. Don't get fancy. Forget the dept. stores. Check online for cheap deals, or buy second hand.
4. DO NOT USE CREDIT CARDS. YOU'LL BURY YOURSELF IN PAYMENTS & INTEREST FOR YEARS TO COME.
5. If possible, find a p/t job or secondary source of income. It can be done.

slipstream

Jul 28th 2006, 07:02 AM

I do not miss those days! But for many of us... it was a necessary step in climing the TV ladder.

My first TV job paid $16,000 a year. I was there 11 months. Long enough to get experience and a better tape.

Don't sign a contract. Odds are with an offer like that it will never come up anyway.

Sparky

Jul 28th 2006, 07:18 AM

The station owner isn't Bill Duhamel is it?

Mom

Jul 28th 2006, 07:25 AM

My first radio job payed $13,500 which was pretty low at the time and that was in 1990 ... 16 years ago! It makes me angry that stations have so little regard for a future employees because they really don't care about the quality of what they're getting, just that they're getting a warm body. Do you really want to work for people who aren't even interested in your potential and talents? My suggestion is that you do something else to make a living now and keep sending out tapes. It's better to stay on top of bills then to build up a lot of debt that you'll be chasing for years to come. Good luck!

Charlie Brown

Jul 28th 2006, 07:27 AM

Out of curiosity, how does one buy a week's worth of groceries for twenty five bucks? That's like a couple boxes of cereal and a gallon of milk.

Pinkie

Jul 28th 2006, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by Charlie Brown:
Out of curiosity, how does one buy a week's worth of groceries for twenty five bucks? That's like a couple boxes of cereal and a gallon of milk.It's all about generic, my friend, all about the generic.

In all seriousness, if you're going to take this job, go in with WIDE OPEN eyes. You've gotten some great advice here. If you think you can find another job that will pay more, think about holding out for that.

But for the love of God, don't sign a contract for that measly pay.

RoyMcAvoy

Jul 28th 2006, 08:24 AM

My first job was $6.50 an hour, as a shooter 10 years ago, three states away.

I'll never forget being down to our (me and my then-fiancee) last $40, two days after we got to First Job USA, and fighting in the aisles of HyVee over whether to get bagles or noodles. Not good times.

Like WacoWX and others have mentioned, try to live with your means. It won't be easy. Make your own fun. Exercise outdoors instead of a gym. Buy generic groceries. Even now I could make it on $25 a week for groceries if I ABSOLUTELY had to, just for me.

The credit cards you use now will bury you in later jobs when you need them the least (becoming a first-time parent or the two months after buying your first home were the brokest we've ever been).

Also, the moves are what kill you in this business. It takes about a full year to financially recover from a move unless you have increased your salary by at least 50% (And, at $14,000 a year, making $21,000 at the next stop won't even make that much of a difference every two weeks).

Most people in TV news, when they move, go from company to company, not within companies. That means the 401k year-long wait is in place, no seniority whatsoever.

That take first job, even with the low-pay, live lightly and frugally, get three great stories, one superb live shot, one anchor set and start targeting the next stop.

Get as high as you can in markets and pay BEFORE you settle down. Right now, 20-somethings can break into Top 20 markets because they'll work cheaper than, say...me. Not to mention, they probably have more talent anyway. smile.gif

LMS

Jul 28th 2006, 08:32 AM

I'm not sure if you're a recent grad or are wrapping up a summer session (the moniker makes it hard to tell for sure), but in addition to some good advice by some other posters, here are a few other things to make it doable.

Your biggest issue is clothes. If you don't look the part, you won't move on, and at $6.50 an hour, you're gonna need to move on. So if you're about to graduate, ask for clothes. Two jackets, shirts, lots of ties. If you've already graduated, this should be the ONLY thing you should allow yourself to charge on a credit card, and even then only as a last resort.

If you're making payments on a car, sell it unless it's a lease. But whatever car you do get, research it thoroughly. You don't want to be paying $250 a month for repairs. Also research what zip code you live in to make sure you get the best insurance.

Get a roomate.

If it's hourly, is there overtime? Are you multi skilled (can you produce, shoot edit)? You're going to need to be working some fifty to sixty hour weeks if possible, although I'm guessing OT is not a golden goose at a company that pays $6.50 an hour.

And finally, is this the only offer out there? In how many months? I'm not advising you to take it or not take it, but even by my standards for what I advise people getting into the business to take, that's pretty low.

ZuZu's Petals

Jul 28th 2006, 08:42 AM

Originally posted by Sparky:
The station owner isn't Bill Duhamel is it?Don't know, but that reminds me of a situation similiar to this:
I once knew a reporter who went to go get food stamps...people in line recognized her. Asked if she was doing a story. She said no...I qualify for food stamps. The whole crew got a raise (granted a small one) the next week. but it didn't end as well. One reporter we worked with had a kid, which knocked her into the food stamps category. Old Money bags thought that looked bad for the station so he gave her a raise, just enough so that she no longer qualified for food stamps - effectively reducing her take home pay.

Big heart!

ISTHISTHINGON?

Jul 28th 2006, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by news student:
... for $6.50 an hour.If it makes you feel better, 6-7 years ago I was salaried at 14,000 before taxes. I took home about 9000 for 60 hours work. Bless that lil' crappy station in W.V.

TAFKA wacowx

Jul 28th 2006, 08:47 AM

Originally posted by Charlie Brown:
Out of curiosity, how does one buy a week's worth of groceries for twenty five bucks? That's like a couple boxes of cereal and a gallon of milk.What kind of cereal are YOU buying? Platinum Os?
And who goes through multiple boxes of cereal a week. Even if you bought 3 at $4 a box AND a gallon of milk, you'd still have around $10 leftover. The store brand cereal (heck any product these days) is just as good as the name brand and often nearly half the cost. I can get a store brand 'Honey Bunches of Oats' cereal for $2 a box.

$25 can buy your gallon of milk, a box of cereal, also soda or other drink (I can get 24 cans for $5...even name brand when there is a sale...or much more in 2 or 3 liter bottles by volume) 10 frozen lunch/dinners (many of them in the local store are 90 cents each and are very tasty.) $1 buys you 10 packs of ramen...a few bucks more for a package of frozen vegetables to add to it...a few more bucks will buy you some bananas or other fruits. You can also pick up chicken thighs, onions, carrots, celery and noodles with the leftover cash and make soup which will last you a few days OR the makings of a nice pot of chili.

$25 will EASILY cover you for a week of eating...and you really don't have to suffer either...as I said a lot of those 'TV' dinners are pretty tasty and inexpensive. If I remember correctly back in college which wasn't too long ago (1991) monetarily speaking, we used to 'survive' on $20 a piece every two weeks.

W*O*L*D

Jul 28th 2006, 10:04 AM

Thanks guys for all the advice. I graduated in May and haven't sent out near as many tapes as most of my fellow grads. This is my first offer. First, I was really depressed by it. Professors always told me to expect the worst. But it was still hard to take when the warnings became reality. Now I think I am going to use this as motivation to send out even more tapes. I am going to stick with this. Somewhere there must be a reporting job I can get for more than a handful of change above minimum wage. I am not going to give up. Thanks again for all the e-mails, PMs and posts. I really appreciate it. But tell me again why I am just not starting school again in August? The real world sucks.

+SN

Jul 28th 2006, 10:18 AM

Originally posted by Charlie Brown:
Out of curiosity, how does one buy a week's worth of groceries for twenty five bucks? That's like a couple boxes of cereal and a gallon of milk.LIST from WEGMANS week of 7/2/2006.

1. Eggs (real egg product) $2.00
2. 5 Fried rice entrays(on sale) $5.00
3. Mandarin Oranges (4 cans total) $2.68
4. Green beens(3 cans)(sale)DelMonte $0.99
5. Corn (5 cans on sale) DelMonte $2.00
6. Wegmans toasted oat regular $2.00(sale)
7. Wegmans toasted oates berry $2.00(sale)
8. 4 Pack solid albacore Tuna(wegmans)$4.59
9. Bananas 49 cents a lb. $1.66
10. 2 bags of lettece 18 oz. each $2.98

* Discounts from shopping card...
Total.............................$25.90
("close to $25" on a low end week for me)

* However to be fair I do average around $35 to $40 dollars a week. Yes, I realize that is still low.

+SN

[ July 28, 2006, 11:23 AM: Message edited by: +SN ]

+SN

Jul 28th 2006, 10:30 AM

Originally posted by news student:
... for $6.50 an hour.Wow. Will you be close to any family members at all? I hope this is full time with benefits.

Good luck with your decision.

+SN

Tripe Face

Jul 28th 2006, 10:34 AM

Originally posted by news student:
... for $6.50 an hour.If the Democrats in Congress get their way, you'll get a 12% raise right off the bat! (They are pushing to boost the minimum wage to $7.25 hr., but the GOP is trying to sinking by attaching all these ridiculous *****-the-working-man amendments to it).

Bottomline, go for it... prove to your boss you are worth more then demand it.

Ralphie the buffalo

Jul 28th 2006, 10:51 AM

Do you want to work as a reporter? Is it something you are passionate about doing?

If the answer is, "No", then I suggest you find another line of work. You will be miserable.

If you seriously want to work in television as a reporter then I suggest you view the offer for a small market job at $6.50 an hour as paid graduate school. Stay a year. You will learn more in that short time than in the whole of your college days.

Get the experience and move up (or out).

thepowerproducer

Jul 28th 2006, 11:15 AM

I've been spending $75 a week on just me.. but groceries are outrageous here when you look at how little people make.

The Mockingbird

Jul 28th 2006, 11:17 AM

Money made and saved young (before age 30) Means a hell of a lot more than money saved later. Do yourself a favor, get a real job now, instead of dicking around with the faux illusion that is TV news. The industry is dying anyway.

Each year is going to bring more and more suffering and misery to broadcast employees.

Companies like Sinclair and Nexstar are getting bigger and bigger, and are increasingly tightning your belt(not theirs).

Other companies are playing around with VJ's, multiple show producing, and other nonsense that further sacrifices the quality of shows. Expect to keep doing more work for an ever shrinking salary (when you figure in inflation).

Sure, there are producers and reporters that make 80k/a year. They are by far the exception to the rule.

Most broadcasting companies have already proven with their actions they only care about the bottom line, not quality, even if they'd never say that openly.

If you honestly think that you're the exception to the rule, that you are better than your peers, that you can rise to the top and make lots of money, then by all means, go for it, pay your dues. Otherwise, I'd recommend a field where skill and responsibility is rewarded with cash.

The vast majority of people get nothing to show for their dues, though. I at least got a few awards to put on my mantel.

A lot of people get into TV because it's an impressive sounding job, can be really fun when there's breaking news, is better than digging ditches, etc.

"I work in TV" is pretty impressive to the ladies, until you give them a ride home to your efficiency in your 1992 Accord. But I'm sure they'll be impressed by your cinder block bookshelves and living room lawn chairs. Hopefully, your roommates Miguel, Carter, and Jeff won't have gotten home from their shifts at the Taco Hell yet.

Ultimately, you're choosing your lifestyle. It's a pretty important decision.

slipstream

Jul 28th 2006, 11:19 AM

Originally posted by The Mockingbird:
"I work in TV" is pretty impressive to the ladies, until you give them a ride home to your efficiency in your 1992 Accord. But I'm sure they'll be impressed by your cinder block bookshelves and living room lawn chairs. Hopefully, your roommates Miguel, Carter, and Jeff won't have gotten home from their shifts at the Taco Hell yet.
Funny, funny stuff. :D

Seahawk

Jul 28th 2006, 12:27 PM

Originally posted by The Mockingbird:

"I work in TV" is pretty impressive to the ladies, Actually, it isn't as impressive as many newsies think it is.

During my last years in television news, I was increasingly mocked when folks found out what I did for a living. Or they flat-out didn't care, because they don't watch the local news anymore.

This business can be great fun for a few years - and since you are on TV, it's a great way to stroke your ego in case you don't have anything else in your life to be proud of. But make sure you're prepared to do something else down the road - because chances are, you will want to. Almost every news person I encounter now asks me for advice on getting a job in the real world.

[ July 28, 2006, 01:29 PM: Message edited by: Seahawk ]

The Mockingbird

Jul 28th 2006, 12:44 PM

Entirely my point.

Save time, find a real career from the start.

HushHush

Jul 28th 2006, 12:55 PM

Well - I have 15 years total work experience at 38 years old. 5 of those years in management - most recently a Director of Marketing position where I made some pretty good money.

The job I just took is starting me at the minimum pay grade of around $9 per hour.

That's $360 per week - of which $100 a week will go to insurance. With a $750 per month mortgage and a new car payment, utilities, food, clothing, a 16 year old, etc.. that comes to about negative $4000 at the end of the month.

Thank goodness I have saved my pennies wisely and am only taking a job because I WANT to {and because I actually save about $300 a month on health insurance} ... and don't NEED to.

[ July 28, 2006, 01:56 PM: Message edited by: HushHush ]

The Mockingbird

Jul 28th 2006, 01:12 PM

Why on Earth would you do that?

hoosiergirl

Jul 28th 2006, 01:40 PM

It comes down to, how bad do you want it? Because there are about 100 other graduates out there who will take this job. Their tapes are probably on that ND's desk right now.

It's unfortunate but that's how it is. My first job paid 13,100 (reporter) and I took home $5 an hour on the dot. You find ways to make it and then you have a great story about how you paid your dues.

Good luck and be glad you even have an offer. You'll see a billion people on here complaining they've been trying forever and have no offers.

Anne Bonney

Jul 28th 2006, 01:45 PM

My 16 year old niece is getting $8 an hour at the Parks Dept.

thebrain

Jul 28th 2006, 02:36 PM

Go get a MBA

NoName

Jul 28th 2006, 02:52 PM

Re: Food. Buy bulk. Buy generic: Frozen veggies, bulk grains, quantity packages of chicken, beef, ground turkey, fish. Partition when you get home, wrap and freeze. Thaw as you use. Stay away from fancy sweet cereals and processed foods. You're paying for that processing.

CKMD

Jul 28th 2006, 03:10 PM

Originally posted by The Mockingbird:
Entirely my point.

Save time, find a real career from the start.For those of us with passion and desire and who want to do this, that's not an option.
DOn't crush people's dreams before they actually try!

It will be tough...but if you want to do it, you can.

ISTHISTHINGON?

Jul 28th 2006, 03:13 PM

Originally posted by hoosiergirl:
It comes down to, how bad do you want it? Because there are about 100 other graduates out there who will take this job. Their tapes are probably on that ND's desk right now.

It's unfortunate but that's how it is. My first job paid 13,100 (reporter) and I took home $5 an hour on the dot. You find ways to make it and then you have a great story about how you paid your dues.

Good luck and be glad you even have an offer. You'll see a billion people on here complaining they've been trying forever and have no offers.I so have great GREAT stories from my first job that paid the 14 grand a year salaried. I ended up moonlighting as a Karaoke host on the weekends at a local dive bar. Of course, that's a whole different story in itself.

News Is Broken

Jul 28th 2006, 03:34 PM

So wait, hold the phone....

They PAY you to work in tee vee?

:eek: graemlins/face_banghead.gif

I need to talk to the ND.... NOW.

Pinkie

Jul 29th 2006, 01:07 AM

Originally posted by +SN:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Charlie Brown:
Out of curiosity, how does one buy a week's worth of groceries for twenty five bucks? That's like a couple boxes of cereal and a gallon of milk.LIST from WEGMANS week of 7/2/2006.

1. Eggs (real egg product) $2.00
2. 5 Fried rice entrays(on sale) $5.00
3. Mandarin Oranges (4 cans total) $2.68
4. Green beens(3 cans)(sale)DelMonte $0.99
5. Corn (5 cans on sale) DelMonte $2.00
6. Wegmans toasted oat regular $2.00(sale)
7. Wegmans toasted oates berry $2.00(sale)
8. 4 Pack solid albacore Tuna(wegmans)$4.59
9. Bananas 49 cents a lb. $1.66
10. 2 bags of lettece 18 oz. each $2.98

* Discounts from shopping card...
Total.............................$25.90
("close to $25" on a low end week for me)

* However to be fair I do average around $35 to $40 dollars a week. Yes, I realize that is still low.

+SN</font>[/QUOTE]You pay $2 for eggs? You can get cheaper.

BHM

Jul 29th 2006, 04:57 AM

My first job was $14,500 with a thousand dollar "signing bonus" and a one year contract. And this was an anchor position, but back then--approximately 8 years ago--all the "vets" told me to take it, no questions asked. It's interesting how times have changed.

It forced me to make some hard financial decisions early on, like keeping the paid for car I had been driving since high school instead of getting a new one. And I could definetly buy enough groceries to eat on 40 dollars or less every two weeks. I ate, perhaps not well and certainly not like I was accustomed to eating at home, but hey it kept me underweight like the news directors like female talent to be, LOL.

Was it worth it? Right now, I'd say no, but if a year later I got my "dream job"--and its not network or anything near that--I'd say yes probably. Like most things in life if you are PERSONALLY successful then you think you made all the right moves. However, less than successful or not fulfilled where you are and you second guess yourself and have regrets. I just think that at some point you have to realize that if the business is going to change and you want to stay in the game, you have to change your attitude toward the business.

+SN

Jul 29th 2006, 09:51 AM

Originally posted by Pinkie:
You pay $2 for eggs? You can get cheaper.Very true. Instead of purchasing the traditional dozen eggs, I got a 16oz. carton of real egg product to just pour, cook and serve.

+SN

[ July 29, 2006, 10:51 AM: Message edited by: +SN ]

The Mockingbird

Jul 29th 2006, 10:53 AM

Well, you ARE shopping at Wegman's, for Christ's sake.

That's the grocery equivalent of Lord and Taylor, at least in the DC area. Good pastries, though.

Wise Old Producer

Jul 29th 2006, 11:11 AM

My starting salary for producing a main-line broadcast in 1985 was $10,500. I thought I had hit the big time a year or so later when I changed stations-- and made $14,000. Then, I moved 1,000 miles away from home and doubled that.

My point is this: my experience was 20 years ago. Nothing has changed. No one should be going into tv news to become rich. You go into broadcast because you love the excitement and love going to work everyday. Believe me-- 20+ years later-- I know that counts for something.

If you are serious about your work-- and you plan to learn and become very good at what you love to do--- buckle down for a few years. Live like a pauper, and eventually--- you will move on, and up--- and into a more livable salary range.

Good luck with your decision.

The Mockingbird

Jul 29th 2006, 12:45 PM

$10,500 in 1985 is the equivalent of $19,799.12 in 2006 dollars.

$14,000 in 1986 is equivalent to $25,917.88 in 2006 dollars.

Interesting, neh?

jrAgent

Jul 29th 2006, 07:59 PM

Do not take the job. It's obviously a sub-par operation and your gut should tell you there are other issues with an new operation that cheap. Trust me - there are better entry level jobs available. I started at 18K back in 1995. Most entry-level first on-air jobs pay 17-22K per year. That's pretty low, but much better than your offer. Hold out for something better.

Roy Hobbs

Jul 29th 2006, 11:04 PM

Two words: Dollar Store.

You'd be surprised how much you can get there. They are like a WAL-MART in miniature...with some of the same stuff you'd get at a grocery store or dept. store or hardware store.

I outfitted myself for a one-week trip to my last job for 38 bucks, including hangers for my clothes lining both sides of my SUV. Barely had to eat anywhere else on the way. Travel tip: most convenience stores, gas stations and definitely truck stops have a free hot water tap and microwave.

Instant Oatmeal, Ramen Noodle Cup and Dinty Moore mini-meal your way to financial security! But be sure and hit some fruit/vegetable stands along the way to keep your girlish fugure and offset your sodium intake which will be higher than the national debt.

upandown

Jul 29th 2006, 11:15 PM

They're paying you to learn and asking, "How bad do you want it?"
Got other options?
Other offers?

Nobody's first job is easy. It's hell by design.
Survive or find another career, but this has always been the reality in tv news.

Get better, move on, and boast about it later.

roundaboutnews

Jul 30th 2006, 03:16 PM

If it's an option, maybe try getting a job as an AP in a bigger market, and working on your tape while you're there. AP jobs (at least in my experience) pay better (2 yrs ago 18k part time) than initial reporter jobs. Using that route you can cobble together a better tape with the better resources and learn the groundwork of the business at the same time.

I have a few friends who did this and went on to become reporters, with higher pay offers than you've specified.

I stuck with the producing route instead strictly because I didn't want to live on, say, 13k a year in Backwater, Texas, for the "thrill" of being on television. Not to say that I don't love news, bc I do. Producing is simply a better fit for my priorities. And as many have already posted, it's all about determining what you want out of this career.

[ July 30, 2006, 04:17 PM: Message edited by: roundaboutnews ]

roundaboutnews

Jul 30th 2006, 03:19 PM

Originally posted by Roy Hobbs:
Two words: Dollar Store.

You'd be surprised how much you can get there. They are like a WAL-MART in miniature...with some of the same stuff you'd get at a grocery store or dept. store or hardware store.

I outfitted myself for a one-week trip to my last job for 38 bucks, including hangers for my clothes lining both sides of my SUV. Barely had to eat anywhere else on the way. Travel tip: most convenience stores, gas stations and definitely truck stops have a free hot water tap and microwave.

Instant Oatmeal, Ramen Noodle Cup and Dinty Moore mini-meal your way to financial security! But be sure and hit some fruit/vegetable stands along the way to keep your girlish fugure and offset your sodium intake which will be higher than the national debt.Agreed. Dollar stores in any form are GREAT. Just remember most take cash/checks only.

adam & doctor drew

Jul 30th 2006, 04:00 PM

great advice, roundabout.

Pinkie

Jul 30th 2006, 05:22 PM

Originally posted by upandown:
Nobody's first job is easy. It's hell by design.Truest words I've read in a long time. Even if you add another $5000 to that salary, it'll be hell. Just know that when you do make your way to the big market, you, like everyone else, will have stories about your hellish time in small markets to share with all your coworkers.

Let us know what you end up deciding to do!

[ July 30, 2006, 06:23 PM: Message edited by: Pinkie ]

On Air

Jul 31st 2006, 06:39 PM

The first job salary may be the best diet of them all! I lost 30 pounds I'd tacked on in college because I couldn't afford to eat ten years ago!

CKMD

Jul 31st 2006, 07:13 PM

Originally posted by Seahawk:
[QUOTE]Almost every news person I encounter now asks me for advice on getting a job in the real world.Good...that means we will get better once the people who aren't passionate about this career and those who "only want to be on tv" get out.

That's the problem at it's core.
If you are not a journalist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, this is not for you.
Period.

And it's possible to do that and have a family and passion about life itself. You learn how to make it all work...something kids these days don't seem to understand.

[ July 31, 2006, 08:14 PM: Message edited by: Can't Keep Me Down ]

BoJangles

Jul 31st 2006, 09:09 PM

OK, so I took this job I have now and the pay is just about as bad as what you were offered; however I am loving it. I am getting so much experience that at the end of your contract you will be better. I'm my own photographer and editor and I think stations are really impressed after seeing that kind of experience. Just my opinion. I have not been in the industry for that long but I have been told the same advice from people who are in top ten markets.
Good Luck with whatever decision you make.

Meow Meow

Jul 31st 2006, 09:12 PM

Originally posted by thebrain:
Go get a MBAGot one! Who cares?! I prefer to make nuthin' in tee vee. (For now)

Okay - I DO make more than $6.50 per hour, but I still say "Go for it!" to News Student.

upandown

Jul 31st 2006, 09:24 PM

This is what they call paying dues and working your way up.

We'll respect you a lot more if you rose from the trenches.

Besides, you can always quit.

But don't.

The Mockingbird

Aug 1st 2006, 12:54 PM

Personally, I prefer to be doing something useful to society and getting paid, as opposed to doing something nearly useless and barely getting paid.

Tan Bee

Aug 1st 2006, 01:54 PM

The Mockingbird wrote:

"Personally, I prefer to be doing something useful to society and getting paid, as opposed to doing something nearly useless and barely getting paid."

--- I would love to know what you do to add to our society, Mockingbird? I have a sneaky suspicion that the only thing you contribute to society is sarcasm and criticism.

My advice is do what you love and the money will follow. Go for it!!!!

ZuZu's Petals

Aug 1st 2006, 04:19 PM

Upandown,

I appreciate your position to a point.

Those of us who worked our way up understand what you are saying, but it is still insulting to have invested in a college degree and still get pay offers as low as the local Walmart.

Thankfully I'm past that position. But just two years ago I was having dinner with relatives and their daughter's boyfriend (college student) was talking about his part-time job at a sign shop and complained that they only paid $12 an hour, as if that were an insulting exchange for his unskilled labor.

I couldn't keep my mouth shut (surprise!) and explained that with my college degree and 2.5 years experience I got a job for $7.78 per hour and that was only 8 years earlier. Finally earned $15 an hour after 10 years experience.

Everyone stopped eating and had nothing to say. I'm sure they viewed me as an idiot for having worked in such a low paying field.

of course now, my day rate is around $300 plus expenses.

[ August 01, 2006, 06:24 PM: Message edited by: ZuZu's Petals ]

TVBuff

Aug 2nd 2006, 09:25 PM

Don't do it. If your folks live in a big market, live at home for a while and intern. You will gain some experience there and it will give you time to network. Who you know is almost as important as what you can do. Or keep looking!! $6.50 an hour... geez I can't believe you'd even consider it. You have to look good on TV and you can't do that on that type of money. You'll be emaciated and wearing old clothes. Not to mention, considering the number of hours you will be working (which will eventually wear on you) and the stress that may bring, your quality of life will be awful. If you are worrying about where your next meal will come from, consider what state your health and mind will become. Tell them Thanks, but no thanks. Making that money to start puts you in a terrible negotiating position for a future job.

Backup QB

Aug 10th 2006, 08:56 AM

Originally posted by The Mockingbird:
Money made and saved young (before age 30) Means a hell of a lot more than money saved later. Do yourself a favor, get a real job now, instead of dicking around with the faux illusion that is TV news. The industry is dying anyway.

Each year is going to bring more and more suffering and misery to broadcast employees.

Companies like Sinclair and Nexstar are getting bigger and bigger, and are increasingly tightning your belt(not theirs).

Other companies are playing around with VJ's, multiple show producing, and other nonsense that further sacrifices the quality of shows. Expect to keep doing more work for an ever shrinking salary (when you figure in inflation).

Sure, there are producers and reporters that make 80k/a year. They are by far the exception to the rule.

Most broadcasting companies have already proven with their actions they only care about the bottom line, not quality, even if they'd never say that openly.

If you honestly think that you're the exception to the rule, that you are better than your peers, that you can rise to the top and make lots of money, then by all means, go for it, pay your dues. Otherwise, I'd recommend a field where skill and responsibility is rewarded with cash.

The vast majority of people get nothing to show for their dues, though. I at least got a few awards to put on my mantel.

A lot of people get into TV because it's an impressive sounding job, can be really fun when there's breaking news, is better than digging ditches, etc.

"I work in TV" is pretty impressive to the ladies, until you give them a ride home to your efficiency in your 1992 Accord. But I'm sure they'll be impressed by your cinder block bookshelves and living room lawn chairs. Hopefully, your roommates Miguel, Carter, and Jeff won't have gotten home from their shifts at the Taco Hell yet.

Ultimately, you're choosing your lifestyle. It's a pretty important decision.I couldn't agree more. I left the business to work in public relations for our area's largest employer. I'm in my early 30's now and finally starting to make real money. I'm putting whatever I can into retirement accounts, trying to make up for lost time, and hoping the market will cooperate.

The quality of shows is going down. Over the weekend, I saw a New York City station run a pkg in its 11 p.m. show that also ran in the 6 p.m. cast. I thought only small markets pulled that crap.

My old station is only getting worse. Interns on the air. Pointless live shots. Entire news blocks filled with stuff that came off press releases.

Having to manage on a TV salary taught me how to be frugal and live within (or below) my means. I still try to be frugal, so I can save for retirement and a house, and enjoy some indulgences here and there.

I think, for the most part, dining out is a waste of money. But, it saddens me to see people advising rookies to eat Ramen noodles and parmesan cheese right out of the can. My dog eats better than that.

When I started in the late 90's, I was making $14K as a reporter. I was always told to pay my dues, and that a much bigger paycheck would follow in a few years when I moved to a bigger market. However, the industry tanked, and I saw people going to bigger markets and making the same, or very little more, money they made at our shop.

If your dream is to make a good living working in TV, you are more than likely going to be disappointed.

Originally posted by Seahawk:
This business can be great fun for a few years - and since you are on TV, it's a great way to stroke your ego in case you don't have anything else in your life to be proud of. But make sure you're prepared to do something else down the road - because chances are, you will want to. Almost every news person I encounter now asks me for advice on getting a job in the real world.I agree too. This business can be fun and intoxicating. It's great to go places and have people recognizing you. But, I can't put laughs and faux glitz into an IRA or 401(k).

When I announced I was leaving, I thought I was going to get a lot of "You're leaving the business? Why would you want to do that?" Instead, the reaction was "Can you get me a job at your new place? I wanna get out of here."

You are choosing your lifestyle. The decisions you make early in life can either give you a leg up, or tie your arm behind your back. Good luck!

[ August 10, 2006, 10:03 AM: Message edited by: Backup QB ]