Any Journalist's in here?

You guys may remember the post i made about mechanical engineering. I was studying engineering but I don't have a passion for it so i wasn't doing good. I only wanted to be an engineer because they make a lot of money. The only class i was getting an A in was my writing class. So i decided to follow my heart and am going to study journalism. I know that the pay isn't that great, but I really have a passion for writing. I was wondering if there were any journalist's in here. I've never talked to a journalist. I was wondering if you are happy with your job? If you are a journalist who do you write for? Is it a newspaper or a magazine? I hope to one day start up my own magazine.

I am not a journalist, but I have spent the past 7 years working in the field of journalism through various public relations endeavors. From copy writing to mass media, I've had a lot of experience and have found it to be extremely rewarding if 1) you enjoy it 2) you're good at what you do. Journalism is an extremely broad field with a lot of options. I personally enjoy working with the public, but there are positions that don't require that intensive interaction. As far as how much journalists make, I think it greatly varies depending on occupation and experience. I'd suggest using the Occupational Outlook Handbook (which can also be found online) for further information about specific numbers.

I've written for published journals, newpapers, and various publications. My most thrilling experience in journalism thus far has been when a front-page article I wrote for the newspaper I was working for was reprinted by our primary competitor. Some of the greatest experiences are asking the questions that no one else will ask, making the connections that count, and being stubborn enough to get the information you need when you keep hitting 'walls'.

It does have it's drawbacks, including deadline pressures, late nights, and occasionally doing some extra footwork to get the angle you need, but the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. There's a saying that I will never forget that I learned through my experience in journalism, "'I work well under pressure' works for 15 minutes, after that you better know something". In addition, I've discovered that those late nights and deadlines can make for pretty interesting nights...you never know what one is capable of doing at 2am to keep their sanity. ;)

Good luck in your search! I think you're definately on the right track. Feel free to PM me if you'd like!

Basically, I agree with Dante's outline.

I've been in journalistic fields for much of my career...all of it automotive based. I've said it before, I'll say it again: do what you like. If you're going to work at something for 30-40-50 years, you'd better enjoy it. It's the American Dream to work your way up and make a fortune...but it's not going to happen. The number of people with so much disposible income that we'd call them "rich" is very small. Chances are, none of us will get there, so since you're not going to get rich, you've got to do something you enjoy.

If you like writing...and like writing so much that it overshadows the bad points (bad hours, short deadlines, not much time for personal interaction (outside of doing research)...newspapers would be the right place. Magazines, on the other hand, have longer lead times and, therefore, more relaxed atmospheres (they still have short deadlines, they're just typically longer than in a newspaper).

You can also look into editing books (much more leisurely and something resembling 9-5 hours).

There are pressures in any job, and you have to know that going in. I've worked on books and magazines (no direct newspaper experience here) and found the stress bearable to my personality. I hope you find your niche as well.

What kind of journalism are you looking into?