Career related dilemma (UPDATE IN POST #44)

[First Colony]

Have you ever been to Jefferson City? It is in the center of the state with St. Louis and Kansas City on opposite ends. It is a small town (just being the capital isn't enough, IMO) and being only 30 minutes from Columbia isn't really saying much, unless you're planning on going to visit Mizzou. I lived in St. Louis for some time, and went to Jeff City a few times. YOu really are looking at vastly different ends of the spectrum, here-live in DC with all that it has to offer or be "stuck" in Jeff City, which is quite literally in the middle of nowhere. I hope I haven't offended anyone-I loved living in Missouri-just wouldn't want to live in Jefferson City.

I hope you've at least gone to visit the city.

[renaissance]

You guys bring up good points. What I'd like to do is take the drug test, get my stuff ready for Jefferson City but wait around to see if VoR calls back. If I get a formal offer from VoR before my first day at Jefferson City, I'm making a beeline for the District.

At the same time, I want to do the right thing professionally. I don't want to say "I accept your offer" then have VoR call up and offer something better and tell Jefferson City "LOLJK."

That's not right and I don't think they'd deserve that.

If you're going to get anywhere professionally you have to put yourself first. If you accept the offer and end up changing your mind, they will get over it. Unless you have some ultimate aspiration to work for the MO company down the line, absolutely do not feel bad about going back on your acceptance. People do it all the time and life goes on for everyone involved.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

I'd go big and see if the DC job pans out. **** it, you only live once. You really want that once to be in Jefferson City?

[Elessar78]

I'd go big and see if the DC job pans out. **** it, you only live once. You really want that once to be in Jefferson City?

I lived and grew up in the DC area and been to many places around the globe and now live in small city probably around 12,000 people. There's great things and negatives to both.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

I lived and grew up in the DC area and been to many places around the globe and now live in small city probably around 12,000 people. There's great things and negatives to both.

Very true. But he's just starting out on life. Would you prefer to spend your youth in DC or in Jefferson City?

[thebluefood]

Just got an e-mail the news director over there. He says he needs an answer by Thursday. I've been mulling it over a lot this afternoon. Originally, I had come to peace with the fact that I'm probably going to head to Jefferson City, but then I did some more research and I had a sit down with a good friend and my folks and I'm not so sure now.

Have you ever been to Jefferson City? It is in the center of the state with St. Louis and Kansas City on opposite ends. It is a small town (just being the capital isn't enough, IMO) and being only 30 minutes from Columbia isn't really saying much, unless you're planning on going to visit Mizzou. I lived in St. Louis for some time, and went to Jeff City a few times. YOu really are looking at vastly different ends of the spectrum, here-live in DC with all that it has to offer or be "stuck" in Jeff City, which is quite literally in the middle of nowhere. I hope I haven't offended anyone-I loved living in Missouri-just wouldn't want to live in Jefferson City.

I hope you've at least gone to visit the city.

This is concern number one. I don't have the money to go over and visit. If I took the job, I would have to take it on faith. I've been doing some research and Jefferson City seems like kind of a dump. I wouldn't mind that so much (kind of comes with the territory when you're a new reporter), but I
1.) I would be completely isolated from my loved ones who, as I said, are not in good health
2.) I don't drive. Due to North Carolina law requiring proof of insurance with a driver's license, I couldn't afford to get it during my college years.

That's one of the other reasons why I really want the D.C. job. You really don't need a driver's license if you live and work in the D.C. Area. Naturally, I'd still get my driver's license, but I could manage it in the mean time. Jefferson City? Not so much.

I've got some time to ask around before Thursday.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Sounds like you already know man. Let me ask you something, what's more likely: you regretting not taking the job in Jefferson City or you regretting not giving the DC job a chance to materialize?

[thebluefood]

Sounds like you already know man. Let me ask you something, what's more likely: you regretting not taking the job in Jefferson City or you regretting not giving the DC job a chance to materialize?

Yeah, it's just that opportunities like this don't come around all that often in journalism. I don't want to put all my eggs in this D.C. basket since it's so rare for a guy coming right out of college to get a gig in D.C.

Like I said, it's kind of a "bird in the hand" situation.

[Burgold]

It's a very scary call, blue. If VOR winds up not choosing you do have many other leads or nibbles? It would be great if it worked and it would be fn working with you and having another 'skins fan at the station, but like you said... you are taking a risk. If you go this way do you have a plan C?

[DC9]

First of all, congrats on graduating and the job offers. It speaks volumes about you that your prof wants to square you away.

To me, BLUF, if you want to work in the DC market... I would work elsewhere first. This place is dog eat dog. You should go somewhere and refine yourself, your style, and your skills before you try to do it here.

On the flip side, the politics of the media here are second to none. If you think you can handle that, then stay here and learn from the best.

If it were me, I'd go out first and master my craft. It'll always give you a goal to work for.

Good luck, and congrats again.

[thebluefood]

It's a very scary call, blue. If VOR winds up not choosing you do have many other leads or nibbles? It would be great if it worked and it would be fn working with you and having another 'skins fan at the station, but like you said... you are taking a risk. If you go this way do you have a plan C?

I'd probably have to resign myself to a McJob somewhere in Greenville. It would be rough, but as I said, I've been doing some thinking about the logistics of moving out there. As another poster said, Jefferson City is out in the middle of nowhere. As I also said before, dude to North Carolina law, I couldn't afford to get my drivers license. I would be a brand new driver out in some of the toughest conditions in the country. This job is great, but is it worth isolating myself from everyone I know and love? I have until Thursday to answer that question.

First of all, congrats on graduating and the job offers. It speaks volumes about you that your prof wants to square you away.

To me, BLUF, if you want to work in the DC market... I would work elsewhere first. This place is dog eat dog. You should go somewhere and refine yourself, your style, and your skills before you try to do it here.

On the flip side, the politics of the media here are second to none. If you think you can handle that, then stay here and learn from the best.

If it were me, I'd go out first and master my craft. It'll always give you a goal to work for.

Good luck, and congrats again.

While I'm not "there" yet, I have had time to shape my skills. I've been working as a journalist for seven and a half years and I've done work with Voice of Russia. Also, I'm a D.C. native. I know how tough that town is, but I was born with that toughness.

[10]

tough to enjoy the nats winning the world series this year from missouri.

[thebluefood]

tough to enjoy the nats winning the world series this year from missouri.

You know, it's silly and stupid, but I have to say...one of the reasons why I think I might actually get this job is because of the way the 'Skins are playing. Here's a team that has no business winning football games, full of young players, and yet week after week they manage to come back or hold onto victory. I'm hoping this is a sign. I'm hoping that means I'll be able to see the 'Skins clinch the NFC East with my father in person in D.C.

It's a nice thought.

[Hersh]

Have you had the opportunity to talk to the people in Jefferson City about what you would be doing and what their expectations are? Have they talked to you about what your expectations are and what you hope to achieve career wise?

[thebluefood]

Have you had the opportunity to talk to the people in Jefferson City about what you would be doing and what their expectations are? Have they talked to you about what your expectations are and what you hope to achieve career wise?

Oh, yeah. I had a 40 minute long interview with them a couple weeks ago. They know exactly where I stand, even with the D.C. job. The guy over there said I would be his first choice for the gig.

Like I said, it's not that it's kind of in the middle of nowhere that bothers me. Most young journalists have to pay their dues that way, anyway. It's just that I don't have a car and I'd be far away from relatives that will need me in the years to come.