For those thinking about a career as newspaper reporter, some glum news: that occupation ranks as the worst these days, tallies a 2013 CareerCast.com Jobs Rated Report, observes Grumpy Editor.
Newspaper reporter drops to the bottom of the list (No. 200) in a tally by the Carlsbad, Calif., firm. That’s one notch below lumberjack and compares with a 126 ranking in 1988.
“Newspaper reporters have fared poorly in the report for years due to the job's high stress and tight deadlines, low pay and requirement to work in all conditions to get the story,” points out CareerCast.com. “Ever-shrinking newsrooms, dwindling budgets and Internet competition have created a very difficult environment, driving the position to dead last on this year's Jobs Rated Report.”
Tony Lee, publisher, CareerCast.com mentions, "People who love to write can consider working for online publications or transition to advertising or public relations. Many jobs in communications offer better hours, greater stability, a work/life balance and a healthier hiring outlook than being a newspaper reporter."
So what are the top five 2013 jobs?
Topping the list is actuary, followed by biomedical engineer, software engineer, audiologist and financial planner.
Another reminder of outside PR use by HHS
Making the rounds again on the Web after a Newsmax mention last week is the Obama administration awarding PR firm Weber Shandwick a $3.1 million contract “to help sell ObamaCare to the uninsured and persuade them to enroll in a healthcare plan.”
The repeat of an announcement almost seven months earlier does remind, however, how Washington --- with wall-to-wall chatter these days on budget cuts via sequester --- spends taxpayer money on an outside PR campaign when Department of Health and Human Services already has a mighty taxpayer-paid press office.
See the HHS lengthy press office list here.
Perhaps the Obama administration and HHS are swayed by inspirational words on the Weber Shandwick Web site. The global public relations firm with offices in 81 countries, boasts:
“We are a creative studio of writers, designers, builders, strategists, conversation-starters, storytellers. We are passionate about our clients and, through our specialty firms and dedicated practice groups, we are deeply knowledgeable about their businesses. And while we are a big, global organization, we believe that collaboration is the best way to succeed.”
The PR firm also cites: “We inspire. We incite. We shape ideas to move companies and organizations forward. We get people thinking and acting in new ways so they connect with and advocate for your brand. And we do it with a level of commitment and expertise that is simply unmatched by anyone, anywhere.”
Undoubtedly, HHS couldn’t resist those stimulating words.
In case you missed these…
Not so fast: “Air traffic controllers back at full strength,” proclaims a Saturday newspaper across-the-page headline over an Associated Press story. Not quite. The sixth paragraph of the AP piece reads: “There was no immediate word on when the controllers’ furloughs would end.” Sunday papers have the FAA controllers going back to work "within 24 hours." Actually, President Barack Obama was prepared to sign the bill on Saturday morning, but now must wait until tomorrow because a spelling error in the measure needs to be corrected.
In an unusual promotional partnership hailed as a Hollywood first, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. customers will be able to buy tickets to June 13 screenings of Man of Steel, the latest Warner Bros Superman movie…The Express-Times, Easton, Pa., is eliminating its production department and will move its printing operations to the Staten Island (N.Y.) Advance starting June 3. The move erases 12 full-time and 26 part-time Easton jobs
Cheers for radio coverage. While most newspapers snub radio coverage with its many offerings, the Orange County (Calif.) Register says long-time radio writer Don Barrett is the newspaper’s new radio columnist…Traffic-clogged drivers already are squirming in Los Angeles with word that President Obama will fly to the city again on June 7 for a series of Democrat fundraisers. LA Observed, which follows these trips, reminds readers to “mark your Obamajam calendars.”
An amusing, attention-getting ad from iGATE in Forbes magazine declares in large type: “If this ad does not deliver results, we’re not paying Forbes.” iGATE, with principal executive offices in Fremont, Calif., provides consulting, technology and business process outsourcing, and product and engineering solutions.
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