Thursday: Checking out “What’s Next for Journalists After the Newsroom?” Blown away by the number  of young people in the room.  It does not bode well for the 50-Somethings like me if these 20-Somethings are now thinking about life after the newsroom. Panelists Varon Brown, Katherine Lewis, Jennifer Chung and Moderator Ling Liu shared their stories about why they left the newsroom and what they are doing  now.  VERY ENCOURAGING! All are very successful, no regrets. Only minor concern was  when one panelists admitted that she still thinks of herself as a reporter first.

Each said their journalism skills easily applied  to their current jos.

Katherine Lewis, a successful full-time  free-lance writer said  reporters take their skills sets for granted. One example, Reporters are used  to making  cold calls. Reporters are natural salesmen — we sell our  stories to editors, we pitch sources and we talk about our  stories. All valued skills.

So there is  life after the newsroom.

Esther Wu

Texas AAJA

Panelists