Technical School's Not Looking So Bad Anymore

Here, one of NYU's journalism grad students enjoys the spoils of his labor from working full-time at a "competitively" compensated position he landed several years after graduation.

I was one of Tim Harper's reporting classes my second semester at NYU, and a girl and her mother came in to observe the class. The girl was trying to decide on whether she should come to the graduate journalism program at NYU or Boston University. I'm sure she was a very bright young lady with great potential, which is why -- when asked by the professor to talk to her about NYU -- I told her this: 

"FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DON'T GET A MASTER'S IN JOURNALISM. GET ANY OTHER GRADUATE DEGREE! I'VE RUINED MY FINANCES, CREDIT AND LIFE WITH THIS FUCKING GIG RIGHT HERE. RUN! RUN AWAY, AND NEVER LOOK BACK UNTIL YOU HAVE AN MBA, OR A J.D., OR SOMETHING LIKE IT."

I don't know if she took my advice. But if she didn't, she can line up for one of the jobs below. These are actual postings on ed2010, which is a journalism web site, ICYDK. 

Exhibit A:

xxxx Magazine is looking for celebrity writers for the site re-launch.

Candidates must have:
- Experience interviewing celebrities
- An INTENSE obsession with POP culture both nationally and
internationally.
- At least 1-3 yrs writing experience for a publication and/or blog.
- Experience with Wordpress

PLEASE NOTE: THE POSITION IS UNPAID.

Oh goody! After having THREE YEARS of writing experience, I might be able to get an UNPAID POSITION. 

Exhibit B:

Contributors wanted for forthcoming drinking guidebook called
xxxxx.

This is your chance to support your favorite local bar/lounge/coffee shop/teahouse/other type of drinkery (especially those small, family-owned businesses that appreciate the attention—they can’t afford an advertising budget) and let the world know why drinking and dining in LA is so great. Foodies of all occupations and day jobs are encouraged to apply.

...

* Please note that there is no pay for this gig. You will get a byline and bio in the book and on the site, free copies of the book (which is available in all major bookstores), and an invitation to our launch party, as well as opportunities for regular paying food writing gigs down the road.*

A byline and a bio? Free copies of the book? An invitation to your launch party? It's a good thing they offer all this great stuff, because when the landlord comes knocking, you can politely inform him that you've been generously compensated with free copies of a drinking guidebook (which includes your name and a short bio!), and you'll be happy to pay him this month's rent with THAT.  

Exhibit C:

xxxx.com is a new social lifestyle guide to the Hamptons. We’ll have you covered on nightlife, food & wine, events, style, and more. The site is in beta and planning a launch on Memorial Day Weekend. We are seeking an Online Director to manage and grow it for summer 2009.

Compensation: Summer room in beautiful Southampton home (value $10,000), senior title in growing online media business, fun editor perks

Start immediately to 9/15/09

Duties:
Help develop editorial voice of xxxx.com
Develop content contributor network
Blogging + message board seeding
Help produce video content/interactive features
Marketing & Promotion
Sponsorship Development & Outreach

Reqs:
2+ yrs of media/web/marketing experience
Passion for lifestyle writing, avid interest in the Hamptons
Familiarity with basic web tools such as HTML and/or CMS platforms
Marketing/sales experience a plus

Another job where they want years of experience (and passion! must always have passion!), but the comp is basically nil. I like this one, though, because they give you that illusion of compensation -- a room, which, apparently, is worth $10,000. How do you think they came up with that figure? And how do they expect you to pay for things like food, deodorant, toothpaste, etc? And what kind of room are we talking about here? Is it furnished with a Hastens bed and Baker furniture? Is it a blow-up mattress on the floor? Who lives in the house? A hoard of will-work-for-food interns on break from NYU? Is that what they mean by "fun editor perks"?