Similar goals, different paths: Grady graduates discuss their budding media careers
Two trends are becoming apparent in the news industry: First being burnout is a real issue in today's newsrooms. Second is financial stability is key for reporters entering the journalism field.
​
University of Georgia and Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications graduates, Will Robinson and Cailin O'Brien, talked to professor Keith Herndon's special projects class "money in the news" on March 21 and 26, respectively, on burnout, reporter's salaries and their careers after Grady.
​
Robinson is the transportation, technology and finance reporter for the Jacksonville Business Journal in Florida, and O'Brien works as the media relations manager for Georgia Credit Union Affiliates.
In college, Robinson initially planned on pursuing politics but had a change of heart after interning at the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
"I think there's a more sense of return on the stories you do because you're either influencing the decision-making or you're kind of unmasking somebody or you're hinting at where people should be going with their business next," Robinson said as the reason why he pivoted to business reporting.
​
O'Brien had a similar realization after working as a crime reporter at The Gwinnett Daily Post, a government reporter in Clayton County and on the digital side for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
​
"I think it's important to find something that you really believe in, and then use your talents in that way. You'll feel less burnt-out at the end of the day, it was a big lesson for me to learn," O'Brien said of her decision to leave news reporting to work in public relations for GCUA.
​
Robinson said he also feels the brunt his reporting whether it is threats to sue or being name-called "liar" by incensed company executives. He said, among other things, the validation he gets from having sources come forward to share their experiences with a company's wrongdoings is worth it.
​
The speakers also touched on the future of local journalism with cash-strapped newsrooms.
​
"So between having a defined paying audience and a very competitive audience... I'm more confident in being in business journalism," Robinson said.
​
When she started at the GCUA, O'Brien disclosed a $6,000 increase in her yearly salary and now she's making almost $15,000 more than she did as a reporter.
​
"I realized about myself that I do I like a little bit of safety. I like to know that there's a path for me and that if I work in a certain way or enough I can get there. So know thyself. I did not when I got out of college," O'Brien said.
​
​