There were two online discussion threads going on two places simultaneously: "Brazen Careerist,"  a forum for members of a minority journalist association. Both threads were about salary negotiations.  I found it interesting that here are two sites, existing in some kind of parallel universe talking about the same thing.

I read some really good advice in both places yet in truth the negotiations never really stop.  You may agree to a salary and work hours, but there are a ton of other things to consider; especially when today's media professionals are asked to know more and do more.

A mentee of mine recently landed a really good job out West, doing the thing she loves in the place she wants to be.  The salary is good, full health benefits, paid vacation, sick leave, etc. She'll keep working her beat, in the field.  She was hired because she was already doing the thing the company was looking for.  Alas, during our conversations that week, we discovered a hitch.  I wondered about "infrastructure."  What are her tools to do the job effectively?  Who pays for them?  Are there opportunities for professional development/training?  If so, can she go and who pays for it?  The job is a little dangerous, too.  Who covers the insurance?  Suppose she gets detained?  Are lawyers on stand-by? The back and forth-ing served her well and she's on her way in the new position. But there will be more questions.

My mentee makes a living as a journalist by asking questions, documenting the answers and turning the answers into a story for others to hear/read. When getting hired, it's the same thing except instead of telling the story of someone else, you're looking out for yourself. 

And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

 

*Chantal de la Rionda edits this blog