Both Writing and Teaching- Paul Moses

Although Paul Moses loves teaching, he said that if he had only worked in academia he would have missed much of the world experience and public immersion that 23 years in journalism provided him.

I met Paul Moses when I presented a paper at the 2010 Brooklyn College Graduate English Conference, "Deconstructing the Gods: Towards a Post-Religious Criticism."  Serving as respondent for my panel, Moses commented on my research as being applicable for journalists.  I soon contacted him for career guidance, finding him to be another writer who entertained both the idea of academia and of journalism.

Moses began writing for a local paper simply to make some money while studying for his Masters of Fine Arts at the University of Massachusetts.  But he soon loved the job enough to make journalism his career of choice.

As a journalist, Moses worked both as a reporter and editor, specializing in religion and New York City government and working for presses such as Newsday's New York City paper and The Associated Press.  He is now a professor at Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

Along with teaching, Moses still continues his writing.  He published his first book, The Saint and the Sultan: the Crusades, Islam and Francis of Assisi's Mission of Peace, in 2009 and is currently working on a second book.

Moses advised that a love of people, a desire to constantly discover and learn, and a passion for writing are key to enjoying and excelling in journalism.

His advice to me was three-fold.  First, start writing both by blogging and freelancing.  This could provide both clips and a chance to try out journalism.  Second, as a current NYU student, take advantage of opportunities to attend NYU journalism events open to those outside the department.  Third, highly consider a graduate degree in journalism.

Moses said a graduate journalism degree is often the best way to fast track a career.  Though he does not always advise a graduate program for students who have both an undergraduate journalism degree and a wealth of experience, craft, and connections, Moses highly advises a graduate program for those without a journalism background.

Moses noted that in the New York area alone, Columbia, CUNY, and NYU all have highly regarded graduate programs.  He stated that these programs provide practical skills, connections, and much experience in a short amount of time.

For Moses, both writing and teaching found a place in his professional life.  He admitted that in some ways, nothing beats the lifestyle of a professor who truly loves academia.  However, he said the lifestyle and public connection of journalism also have great benefits which strengthened both his writing and his teaching.  Either career has advantages and difficulties but Moses wouldn't personally trade his years of full time journalism.  And for the beginning journalist, Moses said the solid practices and connections formed through a graduate journalism program provide an invaluable foundation for navigating the current job market and industry transformations.

From Journalism to Ministry - Drebes

David Drebes, 27, turned from a successful start in journalism to full time ministry.  Drebes was editor for Roanoke College's The Brackety-Ack when I was a sophomore reporter in 2003.  By the end of his junior year of college, he had connections, experience, and an internship at The Washington Times listed on his resume.  But instead of launching a career in journalism, Drebes enrolled in Princeton Theological Seminary.

As a trusted friend and my last official editor, I asked Drebes for some candid advice from one who decided against journalism.

"If you like meeting people and digging into the community around you then you'll enjoy it," Drebes stated.

"I liked doing the whole thing," he said, noting that he enjoyed both reporting and editing.  However, Drebes admitted struggling with the financial tasks of being editor of The Brackety-Ack.  "I basically bankrupted the paper," he laughed, stating that he focused on content to the point of running long issues without adequate balance of funding concerns.

Despite his love of the job, ethical issues concerned Drebes.  "I became disillusioned always writing about people who were hurting but not doing anything about it," he reflected.

Drebes warned that daily ethical decisions are difficult to navigate, even noting that his strengths in interviewing also presented struggles.  "It seemed that my softspokeness led people to trust me implicitly so they'd talk too much," Drebes said, noting that sometimes interviewees later got upset at the information he reported.

With this in mind, Drebes advised that everyone take a course in journalism ethics whether or not they get a journalism degree.  But above and beyond this, Drebes also advised finding "an alternative moral advisor" outside the field of journalism to help balance perspectives.

Drebes did not suggest getting a graduate degree in journalism.  He recalled being told to seek a different subject matter in graduate school for depth of knowledge in a particular area rather than general journalistic craft.  More than school or internships, Drebes said what always mattered was writing samples.

"You don't need to wait for permission," he said.  "The trick is to just start."

Drebes acknowledged that journalism is "an industry that's in a lot of trouble right now."  But beyond the commentary of bloggers, "there will always be a need for someone to do the reporting and produce the information," he said.  Thus, Drebes thinks a journalism career today could entail both times of innovation and times of simply "treading water" while the industry restructures but never disappears.

And though on the job market for a ministry position after getting degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, Drebes does not rule out reporting or editing to some extent in the future.  He now occasionally writes for Lutheran publications.

Despite the ethical and practical struggles of journalism, Drebes respects the field. "For good journalism, your job is to tell the truth," he said, "That's really cool and a positive thing."

Apologies for the Delays

I apologize for the recent delays in blog posts.  Due to a family medical emergency and resulting death in the family, I have been out of town and otherwise occupied.  Blog posts will resume within the week.  Thank you for your patience.

Free to Freelance in NYC - Merchant and Wagstaff

Brian Merchant and Keith Wagstaff developed their freelance journalist careers through different routes – Merchant only writing while Wagstaff also edited.

Merchant, 26, got a B.A. in English before moving to New York City for journalism.  "I just wanted to do it period.  I would write anything," Merchant explained.  Which he did, writing for citysearch.com about men's fashion boutiques, "the one thing I had the least interest in," he laughed.  It took Merchant two years to build his full-time freelancing career, a process he described as “fun and always a bit of a struggle.”    

Merchant now has steady freelance assignments focusing on environmental, social, and political issues.  He writes for TreeHugger, Salon, and Planet Green in addition to his weekly column for Good about a refugee in Burma.  

Merchant’s first editor at citysearch was none other than Wagstaff, 28.  Wagstaff got his B.A. in print journalism and worked in editing for five years, first in California and then in New York.  After much preparation and editorial connections, Wagstaff launched a full time freelance career six months ago.  His preferred beat is food writing.  Check out his recent piece for Village Voice.  

Merchant and Wagstaff noted that freelancing has challenges, namely those of running one’s own business; however, they value the freedom and flexibility of freelancing for numerous and self-chosen publications.  

Freelancing for online media in particular allows for feasible adjustments to the changing media atmosphere.  Though few staff writing positions for print media now remain, positions at many levels are available online.  

Online media shifts away from longer analytical pieces but has the perk of immediate publishing and payment. Thus, Wagstaff and Merchant find that money management and authorial satisfaction come easier when freelancing for online outlets than with slower print sources.  The downside to such online pieces is also this length and style.  Wagstaff said he seeks out “more meaningful pieces” at times.  “Well,” Merchant added, “longer pieces at least.”  

Merchant and Wagstaff advised that a graduate degree in journalism is costly and unnecessary.  Though it brings connections and provides preparation for editing positions, they don’t think it better prepares a person to write today, especially as online media continues to shift from traditional conventions. 

Instead, they suggested internships (if you can afford to intern without pay) and pitching to small, local papers.  They advised knowing a particular beat well, developing connections and clips in that area, and proving your dependability to editors. 

“Editors just want to know your clips and that you’ll make their life easy,” said Wagstaff.  

They suggested resources to include Ed2010, mediabistro.com, and even craigslist.  

Though the long hours and low pay are difficult, Merchant and Wagstaff find this worth the flexibility and lifestyle of freelance journalism.  

“How many people do something they’re really into?” Wagstaff asked, noting that he loves to write, to meet people, and to constantly learn new things.     

“You have to really want it” said Wagstaff.  But Merchant concluded, "Yeah, but it can be fun."

grab a coffee and a syllabus

I first knew I was a writer when I wrote a "novel" in my third-grade agenda book.  And though my thematics no longer center on ghosts and dinosaurs, my love for writing is no less now than it was when I choose the margins of an agenda book over the latest "Saved by the Bell" episodes.

I dabbled in journalism during high school with an internship at the local paper and several published clips of my own (including a front page feature).  During college, I briefly worked on the school paper, writing profile articles and a large feature or two.  However, I thought I wanted to go the academic route and with two majors and several leadership positions taking much of my time, journalism slid to the side.

Planning to be a professor, I meticulously mapped out my academic path.  Get paid (very little) to think?  Good deal.  Difficult?  Sure.  Bleak job prospects?  Understood.  Dissertation?  Bring it on.

So I thought.

But half-way through my M.A. in English at NYU, I have to admit that I may have been wrong.  The hurdles of the academic route don't actually bother me.  But I also love writing that extends beyond the academy.  I love to be out in the public, I love to meet people and hear their stories, and I love to write and to share those stories with the wider public.  I love to report.

Perhaps I'll share more at a later date, but my creative writing, my brief reporting stints, and my academic studies seem to be converging – making me an informed writer who is now ready to report and revealing to me how journalism and I just might fit.

So now what?  I'm 26 years old, married, and already in debt from my English M.A.  I'm well on my way to an English Ph.D, not an internship at the New York Times.  I have a blog – grass in the concrete jungle – but no recent newspaper clips.

Should I get a graduate degree in journalism?  Should I look the career in the eye and run the other way?  Should I go out on my own and jump in the job market as is?

Enter dolano j-school – where you get to follow along as I figure it out and learn the ins and outs of journalism.


I'm meeting with journalists, professors, and journalism students across NYC and beyond.  I've got eight basic questions for each of them:

1.  Why and how did you become a journalist?

2.  What are the best and worst aspects of the job that a newbie needs to know?

3.  What characteristics make the difference between a good and a great journalist?

4.  What are some issues at the industry-wide level that need attention for the good of the industry's future?  What changes do you suggest?

5.  In what situations would you advise getting a graduate degree in journalism and why?

6.  What resources (websites, workshops, books, etc.) do you find most significant and helpful for your career and continuing education?

7.  What qualities in journalism schools or training workshops do you think offer the best preparation for today's market?

8.  Do you have any comments concerning the fine print (job security, pay, benefits, schedule, scale of publication, freelancing, etc.)?


As I try to learn from the best, I'll share it with you.  Got suggestions, answers, or contacts of your own?  Send them my way!