The End of Media - What's Happening to The People

  It was in grade school that I began publishing articles for payment. The first was in The Advocate in Newark, New Jersey. The fee was five bucks for a youth's view of Alaska's becoming a state of the United States. That was 1958. It was in 1982 that I had my first op-ed published in The New York Times. It focused on bringing pet grief out of the closet. I am still a columnist for a magazine on retail.

Although I never worked full-time in journalism I know that the 100 let go today at the LA Times today are my brothers and sisters. Last week many also lost their jobs at Sports Illustrated. Conde Nast publications will experience a walkout by those trying to prevent Reductions in Force.

The tragedy is not the end of a purpose-driven job. That happens all the time. It's that most will not be able to land comparable positions. Not now. Probably not ever.  Yes, jobs in media will be among the sectors hit hard by AI. 

Meanwhile, what is available typically pays, you got it, peanuts. For example, Indie Reader provides $40 to $45 for a book review.  That task involves 1) Reading the book 2) Researching the genre and 3) Putting together an analysis that showcases that a lot of thought has been put in. Check-out positions at Walmart have the starter wage of about $14 an hour. Dog walkers in this neighborhood bill at between $17 and $20 per stroll around the block, along with some petting. 

But career change, as I document in this article published in O'Dwyer's Public Relations, is an ordeal and it might not even come together. Professional anonymous networks such as Reddit Career Guidance chronicle the journeys of those who tried new paths through degrees, certifications, licensing and simple hustling and either the jobs and/or the fit weren't there. 

So, what to do? 

Some will take pride in the financial sacrifices involved in the struggle to hang in. That's analogous to genteel poverty of The Lost Generation of Scholars shut out of academia after demand for humanities professors dried up. They chased around the world taking adjunct contract positions. They're still chasing. 

Some might consider retraining. Do that carefully. The latest scans are about "doing a reset." 

There, of course, are blue collar industries to join. A number of my former white collar clients for coaching are driving trucks long distance and doing auto mechanics.

Most interestingly, some will come to earn a good living by kicking off a new trend. In the 1980s, when Corporate America forced out middle aged middle managers, there began the mainstreaming of entrepreneurship. Staples, which created the category of office supplies for small business, aligned with the new target market and thrived for decades.

For a while, though, wear a black arm band which bears witness to deep grief. Others can also wear them in solidarity. Here you can order them.

And let us salute organizations such as Jones Day and Paul, Weiss which don't terminate human beings for market reasons. 

In most cases you have only one shot in communications. Jane Genova is a communications coach and content-creator. Complimentary consultation (please text 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com)