Well as some people know, I have left PR in order to cross over to journalism. Now this is certainly not a decision taken lightly and the reasons I have are simple; I enjoy researching, writing and editing copy. More than anything. So why not do more of that? Other reasons include a fascination with the news and the culture of gathering information.
Now the difficulty that lies ahead of me is what to do for employment now I have decided this. As my background is all PR my options are threefold (as far as I can see):
- Do a course in journalism
By this I mean either an MA in journalism or a shorter, intensive course. There are many options here and in the current environment returning to school could seem like the sound choice. There are a wealth of courses on the UKPASS website, which is owned and run by UCAS. This site allows me to narrow down my search to a specific location (mine would be London) and also offers advice on funding.
However is this the most sensible option as I do not wish to be taking out more student loans as I still have my graduate debts hanging over me. Would this be worth it in the long-run? Possibly, but then also what to do before the course starts as most begin in the Autumn?
- Undertake a series of work placements and build up my contacts until I get some gigs freelancing
This I have already started to do. I’m currently working with the lovely folk at Know Your Mobile and have been at Silicon.com. I think this is a fantastic way to get some training and crucial experience of how to work with editors and sub-editors, as well as news gathering.
- Apply for everything going
I’m not a fan of the scattergun approach. Although obviously I forsee a lot of job applications and asking for freelance work.
This also raises various questions about this blog, what happens next?
Once one has decided to ‘switch sides’ as it were there is always (and I mean always) the matter if the, now somewhat redundant PR themed blog. It’s almost cliché.
I think that it is important for people to have somewhere were they can see how I write, and indeed that I can write. And after writing here (on and sometimes very much off) for years it would be foolish of me to abandon this.
So what to do? Do I keep it? But Wages of Spin is so clearly about PR. Do I set up a new one entirely? Perhaps buy www.alexpullin.com before all the others get there. This deserves some more thought, so let me know what you think and I’ll keep you updated on my progress 🙂
First, you should buy your name’s domain immediately, even if you dont plan to do anything with it right away. Buy it before someone else does. Seriously.
Second, do you feel like your options for jobs would be better improved by more education? If you already have some good newsy writing under your belt, put those writing samples together and start getting them out there. If not, LCC has lots of great short courses for you to try out in order to build skills and your writing portfolio.
Third, talk to all your journo friends. They will be your insiders into the job market and possibly will be the ones to refer you to their bosses or spot an opening before it goes public.
Finally, re-read this very article for the typos in the first paragraph!
Good luck, Alex!!
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Hi Alex, thanks for linking my blog post (It says automatically generated, but thank you anyway!)
It’s great that you know what you want and are doing things to achieve it. I feel that you should get a new blog, and link this old one if you want people to also have reference to the posts you wrote before. The new blog would give you a new focus and make you even more inspired to forge your new path!
My two cents 🙂
nabilah
Good luck with this (I think I anticipated – even predicted – this move when we last spoke. That was years back.)
First observation: there’s lots of work out there for journalists and copywriters, particularly those who aren’t afraid of the online world.
Second observation, it’s hard to get paid for it – though your paymasters in the short term may come from the PR business, so don’t be ashamed of your past.
Final thought, I’d welcome a contribution on your decision for our (online) magazine, http://www.behindthespin.com : 1000 words by end of April?
I agree with Kate, register your domain ASAP. Don’t trash your work or wagesofspin domain though. You can have both domains pointing to the same blog – or if you’re really geeky you can use a 301 redirect so the google ranking for wages of spin goes to alexpullin.com
I think it’s perfectly acceptable for a blog to change direction without being cut off and starting fresh. I initially started out with tutorials, then when to reviews then just a “what’s happening with me”/news and now it’s coming full circle and I will start tutorials again.
Looks like you have some tough choices ahead but whatever you decide having a blog which can be used as an example of your work can’t hurt. I’m sure if you spoke to more ofthe guys in the silicon office you will find some that got into the journo role off the back off blogs/free work they did (I wont name names here).
alex: the very best of luck in this exciting new direction for your career. based on the quality of writing in this blog, and the articles from the daily mail my grandmother sends me, i am sure you’ll do exceptionally well.
First rule of journalism:
‘Problems’ are not ‘challenges’ they are ‘PROBLEMS’ 😉
Good Luck Alex! I’m certain you’ll do just fine, and as to the blog, I don’t think it matters as long as you’re contributing to one regularly.
Someone mentioned PR as your short-term paymasters… I’d agree, they’re the easy place to find writing assignments at the moment.
Don.