Thread by @sallykuchar

After 15+ years, I made the decision (after being laid off) in January to take a break from journalism. The industry was/is abysmal and I wanted to try something else. Here's what I've learned so far. (A thread.)

1. Your skills are transferable. There are so many amazing jobs out there that require the same skillset as journalism. You will usually be valued more because you are a rare commodity.

2. This completely depends on where you live and your network, but you can get paid more to do less because you are more valuable. I am constantly in shock by how impressed people are by simple stuff like my clear emails to more intense things like editorial project management.

3. I really can't stress how valuable your craft is. I was hired to be an
all-encompassing "word person," and every day I get to practice my craft and show it off. People are awed by what word people can do with their imagination, the stories we can tell.

4. Your job will not depend on last quarter's earnings. Every industry has sweeping layoffs, but journalism is a special beast. While I was still doing journalism I was always in a state of panic because of the instability of the industry.

5. I really can't stress enough how valuable your skills are. Your ability to think quick, create, produce. Your ability to write. It's been a real eye-opener to witness how many HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL and brilliant people need help with writing stuff. Even just the basics.

6. The pressure won't be so on to endlessly create. At the beginning of my journalism career I would pump out five blog posts per day. That is bananas. Now, I'm working on two projects that will be done this quarter. People give me the space and time to produce my best work.

(Quick sidebar: Your options outside of journalism are not limited to advertising or writing for television and film. I am currently part of a team that is working on a project that will have an impact on Los Angeles for many generations, and I'm incredibly proud of that.)

7. Because you won't be going a million miles a minute anymore, you will find time to work on creative projects outside of work. I've been screen printing. I write poetry. I read for pleasure. I'm thinking of starting a zine. I have the time for these creative pursuits now.

8. You get to unplug. I am still constantly refreshing Twitter, but since my work doesn't depend on staying on top of everything happening all of the time I find myself taking the time to focus on other things (that make me happy).

9. You will meet amazing people. In my short time at my new job I have met many incredible people. Gardeners, artists, philanthropists, activists, archivists, politicians, musicians. They talk to me because I have something interesting to say, not because I'm writing about them.

10. My last observation has already been stated but it needs continued emphasizing: You are so valuable. You are so talented. You have an amazing set of transferrable skills. If you want to give journalism a break, there are many opportunities out there for someone like you.

Also here is a picture of my dog on my desk in my office. He loves it here.