Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 28, 1982)
Journalism job openings scarce in Oregon But actual experience betters graduates ’ chances I ~Z . By GabrM Boehmer Of ttf BmaraU Of the more than 100 news papers published in Oregon — from small weeklies such as the Oakridge Dead Mountain Echo, to metropolitan dailies such as the Portland Oregonian — only a handful of job openings exist for journalists today The Oregon Newspaper Pub lishers Association's every other-weekly bulletin Up-to Datelines lists available posi tions in its classified section. In the May 14 issue, only one position was available — but not for a reporter The North Side News is looking for a sales manager in Jerome. Idaho, population 6,891 Responsibili ties include directing a six-per son staff for a “rapidly growing monthly specialty horse paper for two states “ "There is an over abundance of beginning reporters," says Marjorie Jamison, editor of Oregon Publisher. “News papers can afford to be choosy and pay lousy salaries." As recently as two years ago, 10 to 15 positions were adver tised in the bi-monthly newslet ter — many entry-level positions were in advertising sales “Our job listings in the past nine months have been zero," Jamison says. Dave Bennett, the publishers' association executive director, attributes the slump in news paper hirings to the economy. "Newspapers have either cut staff or not replaced people who have left What this means for journalism school graduates is a tighter, more competitive mar ket.’’ The industry has suffered as much as any other business from the economic woes of the 1980s. Decreasing advertising sales and retailers’ increasing use of pre-printed advertising inserts in newspapers has reduced industry revenues, Bennett says. However, a survey of June 1980 journalism bachelor's graduates, conducted by the University Career Planning and Placement Service, shows that nearly 80 percent were em ployed in the media. More than 70 percent of the graduates gained experience related to their present career while attending the University Of that number, 28 percent worked at practicums while in school Most of the respondents — 31 percent — said they earned between $9,000 and $11,999 per year Another 21 percent reported they were paid between $12,000 and $14,999 per year Those graduates earning more than $15,000 per year comprised 22 percent of MAKE THE HP-11C PART OF YOUR PROGRAM. SPECIAL PRICE $123.95 The HP-11C gives you the power to simplify repetitive calculations with such ad vanced programming features as subroutines, conditional tests, controlled looping and indirect addressing. HEWLETT PACKARD UQ 13th & Kincaid Mon-Fri 7:30-5:30 Sat 10:00-3:00 Textbooks 686-3520 • General Books 6M-3510 • Supplies MS-4331 the respondents, and 21 per cent earned less than $9,000. A more recent national em ployment survey, conducted by the Newspaper Fund and the Gallup Organization, shows that more than half of the 16,000 journalism and communications graduates in 1981 found jobs in the media. Daily newspapers hired 11 percent of the 1981 class. Pub lic relations and advertising fol lowed with 10.8 percent and 10.7 percent, respectively. Television stations hired 10 percent of the class, and radio stations attracted 4.3 percent. Weekly newspapers hired 4.9 percent and commercial magazines 2.9 percent. “Graduates of colleges with journalism schools usually don't get a job with a daily,” Jamison, editor of the publishers as sociation monthly magazine, said. Newcomers to the profes sion have to be willing to do everything from reporting to paste-up on a small paper and work their way up. she said. Salaries at weekly news papers for entry-level positions range from $180 to $200 per week, according to Roy Halverson, a University jour nalism professor specializing in Outlook for the ’80$ newspaper management. The survey also shows that a higher proportion of students who earned a B-plus or better average found work than their classmates with lower grades. Students hired by daily news papers and advertising agen cies had the highest grade point Graphic by M. Schafbuch average. However, Jamison gives academic performance a differ ent priority. "Actual experience always outweighs your GPA.” She suggests working part-time or interning at a community paper is the best experience while attending school. SEETHE FEEL THE DONT PAY THE TERENCE. FFERENCE. FFERENCL In Eugene available exclusively at Pedal Power 1981 BIANCHIS ON SALE Located only Vi mile from campus on 6th at High. 687-1775
