This time last year when I gave the required three-month notice of my resignation from The Nation, the idea of becoming a full-time Media Career Development Specialist appeared very hazy to many.
My explanation about what I wanted to devote my time to doing did not sound convincing especially because of the uncertainty of how much I could earn from services I planned to render.
How would many journalists who don’t earn much or most of their employers who don’t pay regularly, pay me many wondered. It was a genuine concern which I appreciated, but I was too determined to offer the much-needed support many journalists need to cope with the disruption and the depression in the industry.
While I am still working hard at perfecting the business model for sustainable patronage by journalists, media houses, Non-Governmental Organizations and other media-friendly companies, I am elated by the feedbacks to our modest contributions to making media career worth the while of those who are committed to it.
*When journalists get disillusioned about their career, they need somebody who knows what they are going through, can listen to them and work with them on what to do to make the best of the options they have.
*When reporters are not sure of how to improve their copies, they need a coach and not a raving editor to help them look through their copies and suggest how to make it better.
*Tracking useful resources and opportunities may be hard for journalists whose work schedules are hectic but having someone looking out for what they should not miss will help them maximize their potentials.
*When some graduates who have natural writing skills and passion are not sure if they can pursue a media career, they need a media career counsellor who can share with them stories of non-graduates of journalism and mass communication who have become accomplished journalists.
*For fresh graduates of mass communication who are blank about how to launch their career, they will benefit from media career guidance and mentoring.
At Media Career Development Network, www.mediacareerng.org, my team and I are committed to providing all the above support and more.
Some journalists sometimes apologize for bothering me with their career challenges. They need not be apologetic. I signed up for this task and I plan to be there for as many as possible along with other networks of media career mentors locally and globally.
Some of the responses below capture the essence of what I set out to achieve with the media career support initiative.
+ “Thank you very much, sir. Your comments mean a lot to me. I appreciate your advice, mentorship and kind words. EA
+I have learnt some great professional and life lessons in the course of working with you on this project. Thank you for your immense patience and understanding. AA
+Thank you for your priceless guidance sir. KA
+I want to specially thank you for your counsel. It boosted my confidence for the research. KO
+I got extremely helpful and poignant advice on starting a journalism career, developing myself and gaining relevant skills. I’m deeply appreciative of the values gained and time given to me to answer all my questions. I was well attended to in a friendly, welcoming and encouraging manner. OD
+Your name has opened the door for me and it overwhelms me how it did this way after several trials for this testimony. This has confirmed a lot I have heard of how you have elevated my kind in the past. I’m so grateful. I got the job. GO
So, who really cares about your media career? I do and we do at Mediacareerng.org
Send us a mail at info@mediacareerng.org
Follow me @lotufodunrin Follow @mediacareerngr
Call and send a text to: 08050498530
