Have you ever wished you were not a journalist? Lekan Otufodunrin writes on the way out of this dilemma.
Some years ago I started a presentation at a training programme for some middle level journalists by asking them a question that must have caught some of them off guard.
” If you really wished you were not a journalist, please indicate by raising up your hands,” I asked. The first reaction in the room was that of shock which was evident in the facial expression of some of the participants.
I could sense the reluctance of some of the participants who were not sure if they should raise their hands or not. I repeated the question emphasizing those who ” honestly wished they were not journalists.”
This time around more than half of the participants raised their hands. I didn’t have to ask them why.
I have always known that some practicing journalists are not happy being one and they usually wished they were in what they consider better professions.
If they have no option than to remain a media professional, they would prefer working in the Public Relations departments of corporate organizations or even in Advertising instead of the daily grind of news reporting.
Some practicing journalists I know never planned to be journalists. They didn’t study Mass Communication or any media related course. For one reason or the other , they stumbled into the profession and have had to hang on even when they don’t really like the job.
If you belong to this category my advice is that you must make up your mind to like the profession or quit. You can’t succeed doing what you don’t like.
Much as you may dislike the profession, if you have come as far as practicing the profession for years, you need to have a positive disposition to the job to maximize available opportunities.
Sometimes the problem is not with journalism but you. If you have made up your mind that you hate the profession, you will never like it. You will always see the bad sides of the profession and never acknowledge the privilege you have to be a journalist.
Sure there are many things wrong with the profession, but constantly thinking you are in a God forsaking profession that has no second hand value as I have heard some say is a recipe to remain an unhappy, depressed and frustrated journalist.
You are not alone wishing you are not a journalist, but what do you do when you have no choice but remain in the profession?
You are free to keep seeking other alternatives, but while you are still stuck in the profession you will do well to give it your best shot.
