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Old 05-19-2005, 07:46 AM
blueangel blueangel is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Tippie-toeing through the tulips
Posts: 1,396
I have a lot of comments on your situation, so I apologize in advance for the length of this post.

First-- what type of job had you been trying to get? If it was in broadcasting, then it is understandable why you had a tough time. What they neglect to tell you in journalism school is that broadcasting is one of the hardest fields to break in to-- particularly if you want to be on air. It's very similar to acting.. for every one that makes it-- there are thousands on the street starving.

What they also don't tell you is that broadcasting is on the "pyramid system." There are more than 210 TV markets in the U.S. BUT-- unless you are up on the top of the pyramid (NY, Chicago, and LA) you're going to make next to nothing. You'll work harder than you ever worked before, and make about what you'd make flipping hamburgers.

It's very interesting that the majority of the average public think ALL broadcasters make a pile of cash when they're in the industry, when the opposit is true. I suppose you can blame the media itself for perpetuating this falsehood-- since they often report on the inflated salaries of those who work in the Olympics of broadcasting (network TV) as opposed to those eeking out a living in North Platte, Nebraska.

You take a vow of poverty when you accept that broadcasting degree!

BUT -- there is hope. IF you persue long enough, hard enough, and keep at it, you *may* get lucky (yes, luck is definately involved) and land a job in a good paying market.

Now to the entertainment lawyer job... I have a friend who is an entertainment lawyer, and he is out of work most of the time. He does "temp" work as an attorney. Yes-- hard to believe, but TV networks DO hire short term "temps" to complement the coveted staff positions.

It is a very crowded field with many, many, many, MANY people trying to land a job in the field. Entertainment is considered "glamorous" which is why so many people try to get in to the field.

I'm not trying to discourage you, but I do want to give you a bitter dose of reality to what you will face. The road to a law degree is a long one-- and it doesn't always pay off.

Having said that, I was a person who endured many years of near minimum wage positions in broadcasting (not law), and it finally paid off for me. I love what I'm doing, making a nice salary, and felt those years of living on Kraft Macaroni and Cheese were worth it. Those were some hard years, and some very discouraging years. But I kept up the faith, and I'm glad I did.

Go for your dreams, but go in with your eyes open. Do your homework. I would suggest contacting some entertainment attornies. Be blunt. Tell them you're considering going in to the field, and would like a few moments of their time for an "informational interview." See if they'll give you some advice and tell you what it was like for them. If you hit it off with one, see if they'll be your mentor.

Good luck! I hope my long post helped.
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