An Unknown Road Ahead

As the fall 2008 semester comes to a close, students graduating from the Sacramento State journalism program are face to face with the unknown when it comes to life after college. Facing an uncertain industry, several students think that is unlikely that they will land a job right away.

“I think for now I’m going to freelance write,” said Jake Corbin, a journalism student graduating this fall. “But in terms of an actual paying job, there isn’t one.”

Corbin currently works for the California Secretary of State and isn’t very willing to give up his “cushy government job” and take a chance at earning a living in field whose future is filled with question marks.

“The job market right now is extremely difficult to break into,” said Sacramento State journalism professor Mark Ludwig.

Though no one knows what the future will hold, not all those that are graduating are worried about possible job opportunities.

“Even if everything is in the tank but you’re still marketable and have skills that nobody else has, then ultimately you’ll be okay,” said Cody Kitaura, a senior journalism major.

Marketability is a key to getting a job according to Ludwig, as well as his colleague in the Sacramento State Journalism Department, Molly Dugan.

“My first piece of advice is don’t be afraid to move,” said Dugan. “Newspapers in the Midwest aren’t struggling as much as papers on the coasts.”

Even though the outlook is not good, Corbin kept his hopes high, “When Rolling Stone gives me a call, I'll got ahead and quit, jump over, and work for them.”