December 19, 2008

Laid off? Bought out? Wondering if you’re next?

Need to talk about it and figure out what to do? We’d like to help. The National Association of Hispanic Journalists is setting up small group sessions for journalists suddenly out of a newsroom or facing the uncertainty of these changing times to help them define where they are professionally and what they want to do next.

In four 60-to-90 minute joint coaching sessions by phone, the participants will address the emotional and practical toll of suddenly being a journalist with no job, analyze who they are and where they want to go, define their individual skill sets that can help them stay in the industry or translate their skills to a new career, and learn how to use sourcing, networking and other tools to create the career they want.

Groups will be led by veteran journalists and certified career coaches and they are limited to six or eight people to ensure more individual participation in a safe, confidential environment. This is not for people who seem well on their way to making a transition to another aspect of journalism or to another career. It’s for people still searching for answers or who don’t have a plan and need to figure out how to shape one.

Participants in each group will attend the four sessions together with the same coach. These sessions beginning in January are free of charge for those selected to participate. This service is open to all, but priority will be given to current NAHJ members.

To apply, write two or three paragraphs on your situation and what kind of support you are looking for and send it along with a resume to Iván Román at iroman@nahj.org.

We at NAHJ are committed to helping journalists face the challenges of our changing news media industry head on. This is one of many ways we’ll be addressing this in 2009. If you feel you need this help or know someone who does, apply now.