Calling all career switchers...

[Newsman7]

A question to those who have made the switch from journalism (TV news, etc.) to media relations/public information/public relations...how long did it take for you to complete the move (from the time you applied for the first "corporate" job to the time you finally landed the gig). I have applied for numerous positions since the early summer with no nibbles (my TV contract expired in September). I have a few applications in with state government but that can take two to three months before you know if they will interview you. Anyone have any similar stories of your experience in "crossing over" to the corporate side? How long should I wait before throwing in the towel and reconsider looking for something in TV news again (something I really don't want to do).

[TVMattNYC]

Two years and counting so far ...

[cobracat]

I landed the job while I was still working in television. Left TV after the early news on a Thursday and began my new job the next day. Spent 20 years with a major law enforcement agency before retiring last year.

I may have been lucky, but the agency knew me and trusted me...and, more importantly, I suppose, was hiring at the time.

[Bandit]

Newsman - not sure where exactly you're looking, but here's a link to job listings on the NC Center for Non Profits web site ...

http://nccenter.brinkster.net/job_results.asp

I drilled down the keyword search to communications. There's a pretty nice listing at the Community Foundation in Raleigh.

National non-profits can be a good fit - depends on what you value in a job. The agency work can be lucrative, but there's a lot of "stuff" that comes with it (which others on this board, who have been down that road, can explain much better than I).

Hope this is of some use. Good luck!

[Clubbeat]

...depending on where you are and more important, who you know. If you're in or near a state capitol, then the wait may not be as long. Here, with networking the right connections you could transition into a state PR gig or become a PIO for some association or agency within 6-8 months. Again it could take longer depending on your circumstances and location.

[jrat33]

The process for me took four weeks. I filed an application with state government in mid July...about a month and a half before my contract came up. Within a week, I was called by the agency I work for's HR manager, who asked me to come in for an initial interview. Since it was a two interview process, I asked to do the first one over the phone, since it would have been very expensive for me to fly there twice (government does not pay for travel or moving expenses). I did the first interview, and got a call back to come in and meet the Director.

Meanwhile, my ND at my station approached me about renewing my contract and asked me what I would want to stay. I told him a figure (lower 40's...I had been working at the station for 8 years, and a contract extension would have made it ten). The ND said he would get back to me. Flash over to the other job interview. At the time, I was working as a morning anchor, but had no producer, so I was working the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift, producing the show and then anchoring it. I was hoping to get the interview with the state agency on a Friday, so I could fly out, do the interview and have the weekend to recover. However, the Director was taking that Friday off, so I had to do the interview on a Thursday. So, I worked 11 p.m. to 7 a.m Wed/Thurs., drove to Chicago to catch my flight, got in to the city at 11:30 a.m. (time change), did the interview at 2 p.m., caught a flight back to Chicago at 7 p.m., drove back to my station, got in to work at 11:00 p.m. and worked another 11-7 shift Thursday/Friday. I was up 48 hours straight.

Turns out, I impressed the hell out of the Director, and was offered a job the next week. Meanwhile, I was never given an answer by the ND, or GM. So it was with great satisfaction when I walked in to my ND's office and gave my two weeks and used my two weeks of vacation to get paid while working at the new job. The GM was upset, but I told him "Next time, maybe you won't drag your feet and keep a person you supposedly want to keep, waiting for an answer".

The story has a very happy ending, at least for me. I'm making $20K more than I was at the station, my hours are better, I spend more time with my son and wife, I work in a job that makes a difference in the lives of people every day, work with fantastic people who treat me well and live in a city that is one of the fastest growing cities in the Midwest...plus it's my hometown.

My story hopefully serves as an example to young aspiring journalists. You don't have to be treated like crap in TV. You WILL find work elsewhere... and chances are, you will be paid better, be treated better, and not have to deal with the kind of egos and stress that you find in TV.

Now, there are certain things I miss about my old job... the free golf, being recognized on the street and the people I worked with....some were actually very good journalists and good people. But I don't missed being treated like an expendable piece of garbage who is unappreciated by management. No one should be treated that way.. and until the next generation of journalists stands up for themselves and demands better treatment, the cycle will continue and management will win.

[Vulcan]

A question to those who have made the switch from journalism (TV news, etc.) to media relations/public information/public relations...how long did it take for you to complete the move (from the time you applied for the first "corporate" job to the time you finally landed the gig). I have applied for numerous positions since the early summer with no nibbles (my TV contract expired in September). I have a few applications in with state government but that can take two to three months before you know if they will interview you. Anyone have any similar stories of your experience in "crossing over" to the corporate side? How long should I wait before throwing in the towel and reconsider looking for something in TV news again (something I really don't want to do).
Shoot me a message - let's talk

Two years and counting so far ...

Didn't hear back from you...

[Wise Old Producer]

There's a good thread on this from last August titled "Beefing up your resume for non-tv jobs". Go back to the old medialine.com and do a quick search. Maybe someone who knows how to attach the link will do that for you. I'm not sure how on this new system.

Worth a look.

[Newsman7]

Sorry it's take me so long to reply to all the posters regarding my question. I sincerely appreciate all of the information everyone brought up.

To clear up one issue brought up...I recently left a station in Louisiana (where I was a reporter) and am now living in Raleigh, NC. After 12 years of reporting (and the day to day grind) I'm seeking to transition to a position in Media Relations or as a PIO (preferably with an agency in NC state government).

TVMattNYC: I feel for you. I have more than a few really long spells out of work.

Bandit: I have bookmarked the NC Center for Non Profits and will check out the position. Thanks for the heads up!

Clubbeat: You hit the nail on the head. A PR or PIO gig is exactly what I'm looking for. My wife knows lots of people in state government and I am talking to some of those people now. Hopefully it will lead to something!

Cobracat & Jrat33: I will print out your stories and use them as a source of inspiration. I agree...a job in TV is not the end all to be all and there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Vulcan: I will email you and we can talk further.

Wise Old Producer: Thanks for the tip! I will do the search and go from there!

Again thanks everyone. I'll keep you posted!

[Produce man]

I thought this was a thread about MCO's.:confused:

[TVMattNYC]

TVMattNYC: I feel for you. I have more than a few really long spells out of work.

Thanks, Newsman! But I'm not out of work ... I'm just stuck in network news hell.

[Sir Dropham Pants]

It took me one year.