Isabella Simonetti’s Post

I cannot express enough to #journalism students and recent graduates how much you are missing out on by not considering a career in a 'smaller market.' Recently, I had two new grads reject full-time offers in favour of 3-6 month long contract positions because they were 'closer to home.' Meanwhile, our reporters are first on scene of breaking news events and getting the chance to tell stories at the national level all while being mentored by veteran journalists eager to help them get to the next level. Did I mention the great benefits and cheaper cost of living in some of these markets? If the news is too negative, let's practice constructive journalism. If you'd rather do content creation, let's explore options on how we can tell traditional local news differently. Step out of your comfort zone and into a newsroom with endless opportunity to advance with a growing company - Pattison Media. Let's work together! Send your resumes to teena.monteleone@pattisonmedia.com

Hiring diverse talent is important. However, it is equally as important to implement robust policies within the workplace to drive and facilitate change pertaining to diversity. Failure to diversify ultimately hinders growth, innovation and talent retention. It’s 2024, the world is evolving, I think companies like these are doing themselves a huge disservice by neglecting to nurture and champion diversity within their organisations. #justthinkingoutloud 💭

This journalist resigned from her high-profile job today. Her name is Nour Haydar, an exceptionally talented Australian broadcaster who joined the country's national broadcaster in 2017 as a cadet. She rose through the ranks, but today, her concerns related to the organisation's coverage of the Middle East, as well as its treatment of culturally diverse staff, were too much to handle. I'll leave the politics to one side but want to focus on this part of her statement: "Commitment to diversity in the media cannot be skin deep. Culturally diverse staff should be respected and supported even when they challenge the status quo." Diversity is one thing. You can hire as many people from culturally diverse backgrounds as you like. Inclusion is another. You need to make sure those staff feel safe, respected, and, more importantly, equal. My journalism career started at Australia's multi-language broadcaster, the SBS. When I tried to get a job at a commercial television network, I was told: "That wog station won't get you anywhere, son!" When I got an internship at a major masthead, funded by the government as a commitment to opening the path to journalism students of diverse backgrounds, I was told by the editor: "You know why YOU'RE here, right?" And at the same broadcaster Nour resigned from today, I was told upon a promotion: "This is great news. Besides, you tick a diversity box." I played down my cultural heritage a lot during the early years of my career for this very reason. And I always thought that as long as this divide existed, fuelled by the privileged few in power, my career would be limited. Now of course, many people from diverse backgrounds have indeed been quite successful. Maybe I was never good enough. Entirely possible. But diversity policies are one thing. Inclusion is another. So many people feeling a particular way cannot be overlooked. Nour's courage in challenging systemic issues sends a powerful message that resonates far beyond the confines of the newsroom. And maybe, somewhere, there's a future where merit triumphs over stereotypes. And every voice, regardless of background, is not just heard but celebrated.

ADVICE FOR YOUNG JOURNALISTS: Accepting your first job is one of the most critical choices in your career. If you are considering a career in broadcast journalism, I’ve got some insight that may help you make the right choice, and, to succeed once you get there. 1. SIZE DOESN’T MATTER Generally speaking, you will likely get more grace, feedback, and opportunities in a smaller station. No matter what you did in college, you will have a pretty sharp learning curve in that first job. Story pitches, developing sources, deadlines, pressure to perform, live television - it’s a lot. You need a place that fosters a learning atmosphere, with leaders who give constructive feedback. In bigger markets with more station projects and more hours of news programming, managers often simply dont have the time to give that young journalists need. In smaller markets you will likely learn multiple jobs, and often get opportunities, like anchoring and working on special projects, much sooner. Bigger is not always better - a dominant small market station often has more resources than a medium market 3rd place station. 2. CULTURE IS EVERYTHING Yes, pay is important. But no amount of money can offset a poor work environment. What is a good culture? It’s a place where people are happy and enjoy going to work. In those newsrooms, employees are celebrated and appreciated. Positive vibes permeate the workplace. Visit in person! Do your homework, talk with current employees. Look for a newsroom with leaders who genuinely CARE about employees’ growth and happiness. FACT: The highest-paying jobs in my career have often been at places where I wasnt near as happy. Get a boss who listens and cares at a station that VALUES you, and you will be set up for success! 3. CONSUME NEWS RELIGIOUSLY Work-life balance is very important, but a true journalist ENJOYS being informed. There is no substitute for knowledge. Read and watch all you can, even perspectives that may be vastly different than yours. As a journalist, you will be calling or interviewing or covering politicians, lawyers, business owners, public figures - people from all walks. It’s important that you have a reservoir of knowledge to draw from when having conversations with them. And realize, every person you meet is a potential contact, a possible future source for a news story. You should always be developing story ideas! 4. AVOID DRAMA Whispering in the back of the room, talking bad about co-workers, spreading gossip, constantly complaining - all these things can corrupt a culture. Good newsroom citizens are highly-regarded by managers for a reason: they dont contribute to a groundswell of negativity. If you want to work in a positive culture, you need to do your part! If you have a question about your job search, or about the TV news industry, feel free to PM me.

Some REALLY great thoughts here!

Some GOOD NEWS for journalists who looking to leave the crazy news industry.... There are some fantastic jobs out there right now! And you don't have to just search "Public Relations" because that's what everyone does. Puuhlease. That's so 2020. Think outside the box! There are so many careers that NEED your skillset, and they are hiring right now! How do I know?? THREE of our Breaking Out of Breaking News Academy members just landed jobs that they are stoked about! Natalie, Ashleigh and Caroline are in ❤️ with their new career choices. All 3 jobs are different - just like all 3 journalists are different! No need to be envious - that can be you, too! So make a plan this week..... because the jobs are out there! #journalism #broadcastmedia #localnews #newsmedia

So Vice is effectively gone. This year marks a decade since I started at Vice News as a staffer (my first, & only, staff job to this point). I’m endlessly grateful for the opportunity Vice gave so many young journalists, writers, filmmakers, & everyone else who supported those roles, while also recognising the many (many, many) problems with how we were treated. When I say I worked for Vice, people always bring up articles about vagina muffins, etc., but Vice News did incredible, extensive & vital reporting on so many (other) important issues, & it’s terrible to see that go. I’m thinking of former colleagues, friends, & especially everyone who stuck it out until the end. So many outlets are going under now - international & local too. Thousands of journalism jobs are being lost every year. A recent study found the US loses an average of 2.5 newspapers each week. Please, everyone, support journalism however you can. This world really needs it. (The pic below is from this Guardian article, when Vice News was still young & exciting. That's me, a very beginner journalist, on the far right.) https://lnkd.in/dqeZWEqm)

🌟 Why You Should Hire a Journalist 🌟 This week, the media industry's volatility hit close to home, with many friends and former colleagues at Bell Media losing their jobs. After spending a few days thinking about how best to help, I realized that we should recognize the incredible potential that these professionals bring to the table. Journalists aren't just storytellers, news reporters or news anchors. They possess a diverse skill set that is invaluable in today’s dynamic and complex business landscape, from which any executive team could benefit. Here's how: -People management: “Journalism is the art of managing people (usually strangers - often very important strangers), expectations, resources and time while extracting the information and answers necessary to answer the public’s questions,” says my former colleague Brandon Buechler. This profound capability often flies under the radar of many recruiters and hiring managers. Journalists master the art of people management through their everyday work. -Networking and Relationship Building: They not only bring extensive networks but also excel at fostering professional relationships. Their knack for establishing rapport, combined with a genuine curiosity about people, allows them to foster connections that can be instrumental in business development, customer relations, and team cohesion. -Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills: They cut through complex issues to deliver clear, understandable insights. They are the architects of clarity in a world overwhelmed with information, making them ideal candidates for positions requiring deep analytical prowess and the capacity to craft informed, strategic responses to challenges. Other skills journalists bring to the table: crisis management; judgment and integrity; adaptability and flexibility; time management and deadline orientation; storytelling and strategy. Journalists have unique skills, developed in the demanding, fast-paced world of news (often faster than most executive teams will ever live), and can inject fresh perspectives and innovative solutions into various roles and industries. Journalists are forces of change. As leaders, it is **imperative** we open the door for this fresh air to come into our organizations. And let’s not just open our doors, but actively seek out these talented professionals, enriching our teams with their diverse skills and experiences. Consider a journalist for your next open position. To my friends and colleagues facing these tough times, remember that the business world sees, values, and needs your skills now more than ever. There are great opportunities outside of journalism. And to the businesses and leaders out there, let’s work together to harness the unmatched potential of these great professionals. #Hiring #Journalism #CareerTransition #Leadership

Are you an early-career reporter looking to level up? Poynter's upcoming Reporter's Toolkit training program is here to help. "While we can’t replace interactions with your colleagues — and wouldn’t ever want to — we’re here to guide early-career reporters," writes Pulitzer Prize winner Kathleen McGrory, investigations editor for The New York Times’s Local Investigations Fellowship and one of the instructors in Reporter's Toolkit. "Over the course of six weeks, we’ll share our best tips on covering a beat and generating smart story ideas. We’ll talk about how to stay organized. We’ll get into the weeds on interviewing, especially when it comes to vulnerable sources. And we’ll give you practical strategies on how to focus and structure your stories." Read more about the training: https://lnkd.in/eW7mde_K

As news organisations look to bring in fresh perspectives, hiring Gen Z journalists can be a valuable asset. However, there are some key things to keep in mind when recruiting this generation, such as the importance of work-life balance, abilities to ideate and execute, and their working style.