Why not?

[Jelleye]

Just curious-I will finally have my degree soon and eight years of working in journalism under my belt....experience-anything from anchoring to supervising the newsroom, and running master....I worked full time while going to school.
I want a reporter gig. I have an excellent tape.... tons of lives/dayturn/investigative/
I know and take pride in the fact of working my way up to where I want to be....
My goal is number one station-hearst or gannett-in a market between 60-80.
However, I have big goals for myself....is there harm in sending tapes in top 30 markets? I feel confident my tape is impressive for a 60-80 market...but I have the urge to test the waters...Do NDs care if young people (mid-20s) go for on air jobs? Do they find respect in that or a good laugh?
Thanks for comments.....

[Tape Jam]

Why not is right. All you have to lose is the postage! Plus there are plenty of 20-somethings working in top 30 markets these days.

[BPOnTheAir]

I thought this was going to be a post for "Why not, Minot?" I shuddered from thoughts of my Air Force days...

[Charlie Brown]

What's the worst thing they can tell you - no? Hell if they think enough of your tape to send you a rejection note, take it as a compliment that A. they actually watched your tape and B. they considered you as a legitimate candidate before telling you they were going to pursue others.

People in their mid-20s are turning up in major markets and national outlets more and more frequently so the odds aren't entirely stacked against you.

[Mr G]

sure, someone your age can get a reporting job in a top 30.

but not someone your age with no reporting experience.

you're competing with other twentysomethings who have been cutting their teeth and honing their skills on the streets for 2-3 years in a smaller market.

you say you have experience, but have you actually reported? in what kind of station? what kind of tape do you have?(just some anchoring isn't going to get you a reporting job)

[ June 04, 2007, 10:36 PM: Message edited by: Mr G ]

[TAFKA wacowx]

Go for it. Especially if you are confident of your tape and abilities, I see no reason why you shouldn't.

I would suggest though, that you not limit yourself the the number 1 stations. Sometimes, the best work environment in a market is at the number two or three: more to strive for, more money being spent to improve the product while some number ones rest on their laurels and don't do much but say how great they are. The opposite is sometimes true as well where the number 2 or 3 (or 4 or 5) stations don't try...but my job history has been with the number 2 or 3 in town, and in just about every case, the station paid the best in the market and had an energy that was lacking at the number one in town.

Just something to think about.

[Jelleye]

thanks wacowx that is a great point. I do have several friends in number 2 stations that love the challenge.
Mr. G-plenty of reporting experience. That is most of my work. I am in a not so hot market (130ish) but, because of the market, I have done and can do everything needed in the newsroom. I have a ton of live experience and investigative reporting....what do ND want from a 20 something reporter?-Do they like I have other experience besides reporting? My montage is a lot of lives with demostrations and breaking news...
Thanks again for all your thoughts!

[Jelleye]

my tape also has political reporting...all my packages are mostly my ideas...
mont-starts with lives with breaking news, standups with demos, chat with anchors...anything else I should have?
my stories are dayturn, investigative, human interest and ending with light kid package.

[stharlan23]

10 years ago.... you would have NO shot.

now these days... plenty of stations in bigger size markets are hiring reporters with hardly any experience.

the industry isnt what it used to be.

send the tapes wherever you might wanna go. you never know!!

Good Luck

[Gail sirens]

You have eight years of experience, so you should already know the answer to your question.

[Meow Meow]

Go for it. Four years ago I got offers in market 60 - 80 and I had ZERO experience. I think you can do it too.

[New and improved...No Talent Hack]

It might mean that you have to take a position that isn't necessarily "on air" right away - producer, AP, photog, editor...then move your way up the ranks by proving your worth.

When my wife and I were preggers with our 2-year old son, we needed to exit the market we were in (115ish)...got a shooter position in Top 15...someone was sick one day, I stepped into the reporter saddle...the rest is history.

Moved from overnights/morning shooting, to morning reporter, to weekend nightside reporter. Stranger things have happened!

[Jelleye]

Gail-I understand your point, but it is the age factor I am curious about.

[Meow Meow]

What age question? Almost every shop I worked in half the reporters were under 30 years old. The (non executive) producers are straight out of college (and that's in a top 20!). I am 27 and I feel OLD in the newsroom.

[ June 05, 2007, 04:13 PM: Message edited by: Meow Meow ]

[Jane Craig]

The real age question is not about under-30s but over-40s.

[Roy Hobbs]

Grrrrrr.

[Jane Craig]

Exactly.

[Clubbeat]

Impressive! Go for it. The worst that can happen is that you get the proverbial "We will keep your tape on file".

If your persistent and patient, then it will work out for you!

Good Luck smile.gif

[ June 06, 2007, 01:33 PM: Message edited by: Clubbeat ]

[RollTide98]

Jelleye,

Remember that it's essential to be confident in your abilities but also humble in how you present yourself.