New York Lawyer
January 8, 2002

Q:
I'm writing from Australia -- where I've had four jobs in 10 months: private practice, court administration and two government positions. What I really want to do is move into journalism. I've had a couple of pieces published in local lawyers' mags, have honors in law and a history major. But I don't have formal journalism qualifications. Any suggestions?

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A:
There may be some market features and characteristics that are different in Oz than in the US, but the basic precepts are probably the same.

First, I�d suggest a little rigorous vocational assessment or career reappraisal, because you're bouncing around a lot -- and among roles that have very different structure, satisfaction and compensation potential. How long-standing is your interest in journalism? And have you focused on the form of journalism that interests you most? Newspapers? "Service journalism" (like this column)? Commentary? Creative writing? Magazine articles? Investigative journalism? Technical writing? You also should consider whether you think your marketable gift is in the content of your thinking or simply in your ability as a wordsmith. Are you selling your judgment and analysis, or your capacity to communicate others' ideas succinctly?

And what sort of journalistic activity floats your boat? Do you want to write? To edit? To handle some aspect of a journalism-related business? Create a new medium? Run something? Supervise others rather than doing it yourself?

The good news is that if this really is a solid, proactively-motivated career move, you do not face insurmountable barriers to entry. Sure, there are "formal journalistic qualifications" -- degree programs, schools of journalism, etc. But in my experience, those credentials are by no means prerequisite to a successful writing career. One of the few good things about law school is that anyone who graduates (and later passes a bar exam) is presumed to have solid a analytical ability, as well as written and spoken communications skills. You get the benefit of the doubt. Lawyers use words and ideas for their living; so do journalists. So it's not like you're trying to move into journalism from, say, auto repair or computer programming.

Of course, ex-lawyer journalists often do have to unlearn the profession�s exhaustive writing style ("Do not spindle, fold, mutilate or otherwise deface") and practice focused, succinct prose, but that is a learnable skill.

The way to get into writing is to write . . . and then show your stuff to people. It is highly likely that you will have to freelance for awhile, but this can lead to "house clients" who give substantial repeat assignments. Having an oeuvre -- a broad variety of writing samples -- is essential. Practice writing in a variety of styles and genres, even if you haven't been commissioned to write for bucks. Write letters to the editor -- long, good ones. Volunteer to write for cash-starved not-for-profits, whether it be newsletters, marketing communications, testimony, speeches or position papers.

Also, in journalism as elsewhere, networking is invaluable: make appointments with various people who are in the sorts of positions that appeal to you, and ask them how they got started. Hang out where they hang out. Suck up to them. Write letters to established journalists praising their work and asking for "a little help" in orchestrating a move into their discipline; they are as susceptible to flattery as anyone (their often harden exteriors notwithstanding).

You also can try writing articles on spec for periodicals that have a predictable need for copy -- airline magazines, travel columns, industry newsletters and specialty magazines. Any bookstore will have a variety of good books on how to draft and target a pitch letter, how to freelance, how to write an investigative article or how to run a community newspaper.

In short, journalism has remarkably low barriers to entry for people who really can write. Your legal credential will not harm you -- although people invariably will ask you why you would choose to leave a profession for a position that is bound to pay a lot less. Don't get discouraged. You may have to hold a "stop loss" job for awhile while you ramp up, but this is one career move that is eminently doable -- if you want to do it badly enough.

Sincerely,
Douglas B. Richardson
President, The Richardson Group