The End Of Journalism As I Knew It

When I was a journalism student, it was the time of Watergate and Woodward and Bernstein bringing down President Richard Nixon thanks, in part, to their reporting. But as time went on in my career I learned journalism was less high-profile scoops, and more writing  product briefs  and  mundane calling of sources and reporting on everyday events. (Margo D. Beller) So it was relief to be able to leave the office and attend hearings and press conferences where I could take notes and ask pesky questions. Usually I had a question ready so I could jump in to fill the 5-second pause between "Any questions?" and the first hand going up. My questions were usually rather blunt, such as, "What do you want to accomplish by pulling all of us in here?" Maybe I was being naive but I really did want to know.  Usually one of two press flacks would rush up to me as the press conference broke up to further explain the company's or the politician's position. But it wasn't ...

I have no online portfolio. When I worked as a reporter for newspapers and trade magazines I had clips, something physical to show for my labors. I could take the best articles, cut them neatly and put them within the pages of my portfolio to show prospective employers. When I became a copy editor, however, that became more difficult. I would look at copy jobs on LinkedIn and would start filling out applications until I got to the part where I was asked to give the URL of my portfolio. URL of my portfolio? There are many things I no longer understand about a lot of things but I couldn't fathom how you took something that is not physical and put it in a portfolio with a URL. I never completed those applications and I still know nothing about virtual portfolios, especially for work that doesn't have my name on it. Nowadays everything is online. Putting your life's work on a website you can share with a prospective employer is surely more convenient than the large portfolio bo...