Called “Life After Journalism,” the first event of Journalists in Transition, Inc. May 16 was loaded with hopeful good tips on what to expect if you decide to transfer your credentials into the fields of law, education or corporate communications.
Alex Clifton, formerly with The Palm Beach Post and the Sun-Sentinel, said she has found that her journalism training translated well to high school English classes. And she has found the job just as satisfying – perhaps more.
“You want to communicate with people, you want to change people’s lives, you want to change the world,” Clifton said.
“In the classroom, it’s the same thing, and it’s more immediate gratification. You see the results on your students’ faces.”
Oscar Corral, who has launched a multimedia communications business called Explica after leaving the Miami Herald, advised his fellow journalists to start educating themselves now in the ways of multimedia.
Take community college classes in editing and shooting video, because clients expect it, he said. Learn how to handle web design by taking free online courses from web sites like Lynda.com.
“The ground has shifted beneath our feet, and we have to adapt,” Corral said. “You’ve just got to consider yourself part of the working world, now.”
Jill Barton, formerly of the Associated Press, found law schools so eager to win her as a student they offered fantastic scholarships.
“Law schools love to have former journalists, because they know we’re able to write,” Barton said.
The panel discussion, “Life After Journalism” was attended by 22 people in the sixth floor gallery of the Fort Lauderdale Public Library on May 16.
Some of the journalists drove many miles, from Port St. Lucie to Miami. All shared a common concern about what the future holds for themselves and journalism in general.
