Career Advice Needed

[Lady Triangle Circle]

I'm making my 3rd market jump in my career (EP/Producer). Here's my dilemma:

I have 4 job possibilities!

First: A job in DC doing something outside of producing. It is for the stations website for 19-34 year olds, dealing with arts, entertainment, events, movies, etc. I want this job! But, it is still new and the position is under development.

Second: An EP position in a top 10 market. Great market, tough shift and an area known for high cost of living. But, great experience and a spring board for network.

Third: An EP position in a 40's market. WAY up north for this southern girl. But, great city- low cost of living and good opportunity to help the station grow.

Fourth: A producer position closer to home in a 40's market. Very familiar with area and it is everyones dream getting closer to home. Big city, low cost of living.

All great opportunities, can someone who has been in the business for a while help me weigh the pros and cons?

Thanks!!

[!]

can someone who has been in the business for a while help me weigh the pros and cons?
Yes. Thanks for asking.

[TAFKA wacowx]

What do you want? What is your goal?

Your first two jobs will have high COL...DC is an extremely expensive metro area to live in with unheard of housing costs and a commute that can be horrendous depending on where you choose to live.

Do you want to jump to network? Do you want to produce for TV or web? Do you want to be close to home? Do you want to live in a colder climate? Do you want an easy commute? Do you want easy access to family (can be had from major hub airports)?

List your goals, then list each jobs pros and cons as they relate to what YOU want. There's not much we can do for you without knowing what you really want out of your career and life.

[Old Shooter]

Look at what you want two jobs down the road. I'm going to make some assumptions that if this is your 3rd move you have a couple of years in the business and you mentioned no family so I'll assume that is not an issue.

If you want to stay on the broadcast side dont take the DC job or when you leave you'll be right back where you are now. Unless you really want to live in the DC area. Also be aware that web based news is growing but there are only about 10 news websites that have an independent revenue stream. We're still working out how we're going to fund it. A change in priorities my end your position real fast.

IF you want to go to a network position I'd reccommend a top 10 job over a top 40 job. The logistics of the business are different in the top 20 or 25. Less writing and stacking but more air traffic control and product vision.

I am of the opinion to climb quickly when you dont have wife and kids to worry about then live in your career position enjoy your life. Then in a few years burn out and leave the business entirely.

[The Mockingbird]

If you are single and cute, you should take the job in DC so you can get hot loving from The Mockingbird.

[NewsMom]

The DC job is a path away from news; you'll be out of the newsroom/newsgathering loop. You'll be doing re-write for the web, it sounds like. It's not a spring board to anything.

The Top 10 EP job has the best career appeal.

Move to the market closer to home if you're ready to focus on family first, and willing to give up the dream of big market/network.

----------------------------

My choice would be #2; you can always get a job later in the close-to-home 40s market after you've been at the top 10.

[wx or not]

Having had bad experience with this, I'd say avoid the first option. Whenever you are the guinea pig for a new position, you'll find that management will throw the kitchen sink at you. Why? There's no job description, yet, but "you have that quality we're looking for." If you're not unemployed, then look elsewhere. Use the Ben Franklin close after you've listed every single positive and negative for each of the other options. Once you've exhausted all possibilities, go with the one that has the most positives.
Good luck friend!
Scott:cheers:

[TVMattNYC]

I'm making my 3rd market jump in my career (EP/Producer). Here's my dilemma:

I have 4 job possibilities!

First: A job in DC doing something outside of producing. It is for the stations website for 19-34 year olds, dealing with arts, entertainment, events, movies, etc. I want this job! But, it is still new and the position is under development.

Second: An EP position in a top 10 market. Great market, tough shift and an area known for high cost of living. But, great experience and a spring board for network.

Third: An EP position in a 40's market. WAY up north for this southern girl. But, great city- low cost of living and good opportunity to help the station grow.

Fourth: A producer position closer to home in a 40's market. Very familiar with area and it is everyones dream getting closer to home. Big city, low cost of living.

All great opportunities, can someone who has been in the business for a while help me weigh the pros and cons?

Thanks!!

1. I'd avoid moving to a city like D.C. for a web-based job. You'll be living just one executive's decision away from being out of a job that took you out of the broadcast loop altogether.

2. The Top 10 job sounds promising, but make sure the money can afford you a decent lifestyle. You don't need money worries on top of the stress of your "tough shift". And that's another thing ... if you do well on that "tough shift", don't expect your employer to move you into a better shift. He'd be shooting himself in the foot. Also, be prepared to accept the fact that the "jump to network" may never happen. Will you be happy being stuck on that "tough shift" forever?

3. This sounds like the most attractive option.

4. If you're fielding EP positions, why would you even consider anything less?

[Pinkie]

I'm making my 3rd market jump in my career (EP/Producer). Here's my dilemma:

I have 4 job possibilities!

First: A job in DC doing something outside of producing. It is for the stations website for 19-34 year olds, dealing with arts, entertainment, events, movies, etc. I want this job! But, it is still new and the position is under development.

Second: An EP position in a top 10 market. Great market, tough shift and an area known for high cost of living. But, great experience and a spring board for network.

Third: An EP position in a 40's market. WAY up north for this southern girl. But, great city- low cost of living and good opportunity to help the station grow.

Fourth: A producer position closer to home in a 40's market. Very familiar with area and it is everyones dream getting closer to home. Big city, low cost of living.

All great opportunities, can someone who has been in the business for a while help me weigh the pros and cons?

Thanks!!



It may be "everyone's dream getting closer to home," but is it yours? That's what's important. Think about where you want to be in 5 years, and then pick the opportunity that will best get you there. Sounds like you've got some great choices. Good luck! :-)

[Wise Old Producer]

I was in your position about 20 years ago. As a young producer, I intended to "end up" somewhere in the Southeast, within driving distance of all of my family. I took a mid-sized market position in a far colder climate intending to stay a couple of years, and then write my ticket back to Atlanta or Charlotte.

20 years later, I'm still here. I don't regret it at all -- it's just something for you to think about. I ended up meeting my husband, who has deep roots here, and now-- I'm here too.

And no, no matter how much you love your family, Southern women never get used to cold weather. Ever.

You need to think about where you really want to be in five, ten years.. then set your path to get there. If you want a family, you might want to consider the position closer to home. It all depends on what you really want.

Oh, and congratulations on having four job offers. You must be some producer.:)

[Clever Login Name]

1. I'd avoid moving to a city like D.C. for a web-based job. You'll be living just one executive's decision away from being out of a job that took you out of the broadcast loop altogether.

2. The Top 10 job sounds promising, but make sure the money can afford you a decent lifestyle. You don't need money worries on top of the stress of your "tough shift". And that's another thing ... if you do well on that "tough shift", don't expect your employer to move you into a better shift. He'd be shooting himself in the foot. Also, be prepared to accept the fact that the "jump to network" may never happen. Will you be happy being stuck on that "tough shift" forever?

3. This sounds like the most attractive option.

4. If you're fielding EP positions, why would you even consider anything less?


Excellent analysis. I would add that the OP should keep in mind that money and happiness can sometimes be mutually exclusive.

[Marty McFly]

Rather than negotiate for money, try and negotiate for gift cards. Little did I know how acceptable they were for others here on Medialine.

[Desert Rat]

Rather than negotiate for money, try and negotiate for gift cards. Little did I know how acceptable they were for others here on Medialine.


Or they could find the best fit with the station of their choice instead of whining about their lot with their current employer.

[The Mockingbird]

Excellent analysis. I would add that the OP should keep in mind that money and happiness can sometimes be mutually exclusive.

Yeah, there is nothing more soul crushing than going on vacation in the French Riviera.

[Roy Hobbs]

Yeah, there is nothing more soul crushing than going on vacation in the French Riviera.

No, I'd say going on vacation with the stench of Rivera.
http://homepage.mac.com/mkoldys/iblog/C168863457/E1093199074/Media/Pasted%20Graphic.jpg

[The Mockingbird]

All right, Hobbs, you've had it coming for a long time.

IMAGE STREAM-OF-CONSCIOUSNESS THROWDOWN!!!!!!111!!!

Superman from the Reeve Era?

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[Roy Hobbs]

DRAW...YOU COMPANY-WANANBEE TOO-ALOOF-TO-INTRODUCE YOURSELF SO-AND-SO!
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Superman from the Edwardian Era?
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[Wise Old Producer]

..the bench of Yogi Berra...