James Peter Wisniewski’s Post

Woohoo!!!! I've been working on this for more than a year and now the big day is almost here!!! For the last few years, I've wanted to write a book to help journalism students and those new to the profession. I realized that when MMJs and Reporters first start their careers, there rarely is anyone who will help them and give them the kind of feedback they really need. Most times they are left to figure it out, in what is an extremely complicated and pressure-filled job. They are literally out there on their own. It leaves them frustrated, overwhelmed and second-guessing their career. It also leaves stations open to broadcasting mistakes and even lawsuits. So I sat down to write a new age reporters' handbook. Something that may not solve any of these problems, but will at least help give new journalists a REAL WORLD foundation. I tried to incorporate all the things I've learned in more than 30 years into one easy-to-read book that deals with how to be a reporter and mmj. There's not a lot of theory here, but instead, tangible things people can do to excel at storytelling and get along at work. Everything from story meetings, coming up with ideas, gathering elements, interviewing, writing, improving live shots and stand-ups, covering breaking news, anchoring, whether you need an agent, how to get along with your boss and co-workers, and how to land that first job or get that next one with a deep emphasis on STORYTELLING!! If you know me or we've worked together, I could use your help when this book is officially released in a few weeks. Help me get the word out. I've made a lot of mistakes in my career so hopefully others won't have to. I'm proud of the pages within and know they will be a great help to those interested in becoming or those who already are broadcast journalists. We need you more than ever!!

Oooh. So true that we don’t always get out of a job or career what we had hoped for. I’m not a web developer who happened to work for a health and science university. I’m a scientist who very intentionally became trained in medical illustration and graphic design in order to help science and medicine become more easily understood by lay audiences. But where I am now, I’m not allowed to use my broader skill set (in illustration, design) supposedly because I was hired to implement web content. Even when we’re short of design talent. We hire out that work to contractors. It’s a strange world. Ask yourself whether your managers/team/organization support your personal and professional goals, when examining fit.

Love this message! Your next chapter can be your BEST chapter

For those who've switched careers, specifically, if you have a background in journalism, how has it benefited you in your current job? As a journalist turned marketer in the defense industry, my transition was remarkably smooth. My days as a journalist involved diving into complex topics, making them understandable and engaging. I bring this same clarity to marketing, where I now help with content creation and communicating value effectively. Just like in journalism, I research history, produce photos and videos, plan a strict schedule, and network with people and organizations. Each task is an opportunity to use my journalistic skills to not only inform, but to build trust with our audience. Photo: Behind the scenes of Cody McGee getting video footage of Andrew Simich Hard Head Veterans #CareerChange #Journalist #JournalismToMarketing #Marketing #RLTW

A year ago last month, I lost my dream job. Being the executive producer of More Perfect was everything I wanted at the time: editing narrative journalism, learning about the law, leading a small but talented team. After WNYC announced it was cutting 10% of the company last fall, I hoped that our download numbers and critical acclaim would keep us in play, but it was not to be. To be blunt: It sucked. I was less than six months postpartum and only a couple months back from maternity leave. I had been working remotely from Nashville, so I couldn’t even join the un-happy hours of commiserating New York journalists. Even now, I occasionally find myself feeling the aftershocks of that particular brand of grief. But I also look back at the past year with a lot of pride. Because I managed to carve a path through what became, in some ways, the most exciting year of my career. This has been the first time in my professional life that I have total autonomy over my day-to-day tasks. I discovered I have strong gut feelings about what kind of work I take on and why. I learned that I could (and should) say no to gigs that don't feel right: Whatever short-term relief those jobs bring don’t outweigh the emotional drain. I’ve also gotten to meet dozens of new people in my industry. I have always loved connecting with other journalists and audio folks, but my network was stuck in a public radio journalism bubble, and I’m extremely grateful that it's expanded. The result is that I have gotten to do a wide range of work that I’ve truly loved. Leading reporter trainings at Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR) and the Gulf States Newsroom. Editing some amazing podcasts: Proof from America's Test Kitchen, Music Citizens from WNXP, Planet Money from NPR. Writing the NashVillager newsletter and guest-hosting a live show at Nashville Public Radio. Reporting for KFF Health News' Bill of the Month series and NPR’s Life Kit. Each job has helped me learn more about myself and my value and my goals. If I had the chance to go back in time and somehow NOT get laid off, would I do it? Many days, I’d still say yes. It was a traumatic event, and a hard year to have an inconsistent income. But then I jump from a podcast edit to an interview to a training prep, and then take a two-hour break to work out in the middle of the day, and I’m like, maybe this isn’t so bad after all. (Related side note: I'm always down to talk about your needs for newsroom trainings and freelance story editing!)

When people are not cared for, supported, compensated fairly, and acknowledged for their hard work, they leave. Michael Fitzgerald's comments about the "Wile E. Coyote" nature of current journalism work is hard to read. His story is backed up with research from Nieman about the state of young journalists in the field now. Journalism's "pipeline problem" reminds me of the critical similar problem in education: a huge number of young teachers leave the profession within five years, yet the education industry scratches its collective head as to why. We are in the middle of a national teacher crisis as a result, with older teachers leaving in high numbers and not enough teachers entering in to replace at the other end. Similarly, I've watched several of my most talented and skilled journalism students — students with hundreds of story clips, years of experience including editorships of college publications —head out into the professional journalism world in their 20s, only to leave for other options after being wrung out, underpaid, managed badly. Burnout before 30, then headed for the exit door to much higher-paying and better-balanced work. And the news organization has to start again with recruiting, training, development instead of *retaining* that journalist. AI will not replace a caring teacher —Sal Khan agrees in a recent comment about Khan Academy's AI tutor: a human teacher in the classroom is still key in education, he says. AI will never replace a strong journalist, either. Support. Encouragement. Compensation. Sustainability. Young journalists need these to stay for the long term.

Building capacity in rural newsrooms is a struggle, to put it mildly. For many of the 80+ newsrooms in the Institute for Nonprofit News' Rural News Network, attracting talent is a top challenge. As a former NW Kansas bureau chief (#HaysAmerica), who signed a two-year contract before even stepping foot in the city I'd call home, I get it. Flying me out to Wichita to see the fancy #1 station in the market for a quick 24-hr trip was all by design.* That's why when I heard about an on-demand training initiative from – coincidentally – a Kansas couple, I was intrigued. Joey Young (a Kansas publisher) and his wife, Lindsey (a former high school teacher), created Earn Your Press Pass as a way to address the rural pipeline problem. The self-guided course educates those in the community, students, even staff not in the newsroom, on the basics of journalism: ethics, interviewing, writing, editing, etc. As The Daily Catch's Emily Sachar writes today in Local News Blues, "The course is a series of how-tos augmented with hundreds of tips...The tone is straightforward and self-effacing." And Sachar notes that Lindsey provides quiet plugs for small-town and rural news operations throughout. Six months ago, INN added Earn Your Press Pass to our list of member resources. To date, 50 people across eight news organizations have taken the course. Read more below. And, if you're part of INN, check out the member offer. https://lnkd.in/g4Euua4g *It was a smart career choice as I got to do a little bit of everything, as one often does in smaller newsrooms, and it's an experience that, eventually, led me to my current role.

One unexpected moment changed the entire course of my career — and my life. When I was in graduate school training to be a minister, I had no idea my path was about to shift. One morning, on my way to class, I bumped into a classmate who had just been named editor of the school paper. He asked if I’d consider becoming the sports editor. At the time, journalism wasn’t even on my radar. But I said yes. That single decision led to a role as associate editor, and eventually, a 35-year journalism career filled with awards, impactful stories, and moments I’ll never forget. I often wonder — did he plan to ask me, or was it just a spur-of-the-moment idea? Either way, that moment changed everything. When you think about your legacy, it’s these seemingly small moments that often hold the greatest meaning. If you’re not sure where to start in preserving your story, begin with the moments that mattered most. My Legacy Blueprint is designed to help you uncover those moments. It’s simple, free, and the first step to sustaining your legacy. Download your copy from the link in my profile, or message me to get started.

Following up on a recent post from Brett Arends on journalism careers: Have others noticed how many newsroom jobs are now devoted to non-journalism? I see search and SEO editors, audience development, product development, technical work and other jobs that handle marketing and IT functions that used to land squarely in those departments. While all those positions need to be infused with an understanding of editorial goals and processes, these jobs don't produce finished reporting. And they seem to be some of the highest-paying positions in many newsrooms, as well, sucking up a big slice of editorial budgets.

Here are 10 key things you need to become a journalist….. 1. Sense for news – The ability to identify what’s newsworthy. 2. Curiosity – A natural interest in discovering and understanding new things. 3. Research skills – Knowing how to dig deep into a topic and verify facts. 4. Strong writing skills – The ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and engagingly. 5. Critical thinking – Analyzing information objectively and questioning sources. 6. Adaptability – Being flexible to cover a variety of topics and adjust to the changing news cycle. 7. Ethics and integrity – A commitment to truth and fairness in reporting. 8. Digital and social media skills – Understanding how to use online platforms for reporting and sharing stories. 9. Interviewing skills – The ability to ask the right questions and listen carefully. 10. Persistence – Staying determined, even when facing obstacles like deadlines, rejection, or difficult stories. #journalism #Media #Workculture #Mediajobs #Mediafield #Jobsinmedia #Journalist #Reportersdiary #Anchoring