JIT board member Lisa Bolivar organized an experienced panel.

John Ristow, who was once a reporter for the Detroit News, now manages media relations for the Broward Teachers Union. He had some great advice for journalists who are repackaging their resumes for work outside of media:

“Look for that niche that you can bring to specific employers,” whether it’s from the beats you covered as a journalist, or from your personal passions outside of work.

During the interview, employers will be asking themselves, “Can they relate to our constituency?”
Draw upon life experience, family history, volunteer experience — whatever you can offer to show you share their mission.

Diane Tomasic, who is communications manager for House of Hope in Martin County, FL, said she’s managed to hold on to that feel-good kick that journalism used to give her by doing communications work for a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of low-wage workers.

It’s a small operation, and she likes that, because it means she gets to put all of her skills to work.

“I am the web department, the print department, the copy editor and the videographer,” Tomasic said. “There is a recognition from a lot of non-profits that journalists have a lot of the skill sets that they need.”

She encouraged journalists who are worried about their future to start to volunteer in fields that hold interest to them.

“You can leverage your volunteer activities into a new job,” Tomasic said.

Linda Hamburger, a PR professional, college instructor and PR association executive, emphasized the importance of networking, staying flexible and keeping expectations realistic. Public relations is a glamor field, not a high-wage field, she cautioned.

The seminar wrapped-up with a serious look at resume writing and interviewing prep from human resources professional Nicki Schoonover.

Her advice? Start by taking inventory.

List your “hard” skills such as the software you know, as well as your abilities, and quantify them wherever possible.

Next list your “soft” skills, such as how you perform on deadline, under pressure, in team settings, etc.

Finally, tally your accomplishment, and again, quantify everything you can.

For your own growth, take a moment to write down gaps in your education or abilities. Be honest. These may offer you a clear path to courses you need to take, readings you need to do.

If you’re leaving journalism, whether by choice or by necessity, “make the decision and don’t look back. You are tasked with reinventing yourselves,” she said.

“Getting a job is a job. Develop a job search plan. Especially if you are unemployed, get yourself a schedule, keep a list, be organized.”

Coming up next: Putting your media skills to work in a new field.

Journalists in Transition, Inc.

invites you to its second annual panel discussion:

—Life After Journalism—

Repackaging your skills for a career change

Saturday, April 10, 2010, 11 a.m.

Plantation – West Regional Library

8601 W Broward Blvd.

Speakers:

Human resources professional Nicki Schoonover on rewriting your resume and preparing for that first interview in a career beyond the news business.

Non-profit communications professional and former news reporter Diane Tomasik on finding fulfillment in a new field. She’s with House of Hope, which assists cash-strapped families with food, clothing, money and more.

John Ristow, who handles public relations for the Broward Teacher’s Union, on what to expect from a PR career.

Linda Hamburger, owner of OnCall PR, marketing and communications instructor, on the new-media skills needed in today’s PR and media market, plus, tips on launching into freelance/agency PR work.

JIT board meeting begins at 10 a.m., networking after the panel.

News pros converge next to Butterfly World

Our first 2010 board meeting was inspiring and fun.

On Jan. 30 we met at  Tradewinds Park, next to Butterfly World in Coral Springs, for a pot-luck board meeting followed by kite flying and much conversation.

Thanks to everyone who attended and shared your ideas.

Thanks especially to our gracious donors, supporters, bakers, chefs and other volunteers.

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.