Life after media. It’s a scary phrase many in the industry are facing, and I’m not just talking about the CBS News layoffs.
Newsrooms have been shrinking for at least a decade. News deserts are growing. Not to mention, AI is taking over almost every job — from taking entry level jobs to writing your teases, in-studio camera production, and now AI can even edit VO for you.
Yet, so many of us still have the bug. The thrill for investigation, being the first to break a story, a quest for sharing information. So what can we in the news media do? Take a pay cut. Move from market to market. Find a wee bit of happiness in the pursuit of a story.
And still, the industry does not hug you back. The closest thing you often get is an Emmy or another form of award to put on the shelf. The sacrifices you make — working weekends, holidays, birthdays. Time flies by and it all becomes a blur. Then it hits you: laid off.
My first personal experience with layoffs was in the middle of COVID — while on maternity leave. It didn’t stop me. I eventually found another gig, but the passion I brought dwindled.
To hear and see so many well-qualified industry friends on LinkedIn searching for a job, never getting a reply, is disheartening. It’s almost as frustrating as seeing the same job posted by a local news outlet for the last year and a half — it’s never been filled. Nor will it be. It’s one of the dozens of ghost gigs we waste our time applying to, never to be heard from again.
The industry’s “numbers game” is taxing. It feels often like big and mid-sized companies have forgotten what we are supposed to be doing. I’ll give you a clue — it’s not making money, turning a profit, or curtailing coverage to help boost a particular party. It is bringing checks and balances to our political system.
For some, heading to the “dark side” of the industry will suffice (aka Public Relations/Marketing). Others — who typically have a big following — may end up doing their own thing and, if they are lucky, will be able to hire a handful of trusted friends.
So where does that leave the rest of us? When the mics are off, the lights are gone, and retirement is not an option (because, let’s be real, most of us won’t make the type of money to retire early), what are we left to do?
I’m here to tell you two things. First, there is life after media and it’s way better than you’d think. Second, it’s time to redefine what it means to work in the industry. We are going to talk about the latter first.
Often, many of us feel compelled — or obsessed — to keep up with the news, or “feed the beast” as one of my former colleagues loved to call it. This is unhealthy. You should be able to stay informed about what is going on without being obsessed.
The news cycle will go on with or without you. So pick up a hobby, go train for that triathlon, take off on a weekend, and travel to that one off-the-beaten-path place you’ve been dreaming of. Work will be there when you get back. And if it’s not — because of layoffs or your outlet closing — know it’s not your fault. These small habits will help you push forward when layoffs come your way. (I say “when” because we all know it hits us every year, and some companies twice a year.)
Redefining what working in the industry means starts with using all your PTO before the end of the year, because it doesn’t carry over. Take time for yourself, your family, and anything else you value, because time is a thief — it’s something you will never get back. Cherish the moments outside of the news noise. They give you more worth than any Emmy ever will.
For those of you looking for a job, contemplating leaving the industry, or simply at a loss for words over the incredible amount of change that’s gone on in the last 15 years — life after media doesn’t have to mean going to the dark side or giving up on the years you’ve dedicated to this unforgiving industry. It could mean working part time, using your skills to start your own business, or sharing your wisdom with those looking to break into media.
It’s hard to believe, but there is life outside of our beautiful media microcosm. It might be scary, nerve-racking, and at times uncomfortably different from the pace we’re used to. But trust me, it’s worth it.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Krystina Alarcon Carroll contributes features and columns for Barrett Media. She has experience in almost every facet of the industry including: digital and print news; live, streamed, and syndicated TV; documentary and film productions. Her prior employers have included NY1 and Fox News Digital and the Law & Crime Network. You can find Krystina on X (formerly twitter) @KrystinaAlaCarr.
Obviously, this comment is not “network” related. And I understand what the author is saying. But, journalism jobs in the broadcasting business have been shrinking since the passage of “Docket 80/90”. That happened around 1980. That’s when it all began. Now, almost 50 years later, radio news consolidation has reached the network level. Welcome to what local radio journalists have been seeing for a long time. I wasn’t happy with what happened. But I’ve seen it coming for a lot longer than most people realize.