Hey Scott,
I must say, working at a station full-time doing what I love, is a dream. I went to school for my position in the newsroom. And after 3 years of doing this, I'm honestly considering bailing out because I simply can't AFFORD to live like this. Half my paycheck goes to rent. Then there's utilities and other bills. Let’s not forget groceries. We are already experiencing a worker shortage here. It's going to add more stress at work. But it's not my fault I'm considering quitting to live a normal life. I cant even imagine having a child. I'm not able to save up right now! A raise would be the only way saving me. So, with all that said, what are your thoughts on what I've said?

First off, 3 years is a very short time in this business.

When you start out in TV news, you are not going to be paid well. That is just a fact.

Yes, TV ownership groups should bump up the starting wages that they pay their young employees, but it has been that way for decades and I don’t see them changing anytime soon.

I have said this before, when I started out in this business, I spent a lot of time at pawn shops selling stuff to try and make ends meet. It seemed every time I checked my mailbox, I would have some late notice staring back at me. I had my water shut off more than once, due to the fact I could not pay the bill.

But, I can honestly say that there was NEVER a single time in those early years that I thought about quitting journalism to try something else.

As I have said, Journalism is more of a calling than it is a job. You know going in that the hours are going to suck, you will not be paid well and you have to keep silent on your personal opinions.

But, on the plus side, you are writing the first draft of history, every day is different than the day before, and you get to see some very cool stuff.

I remember back when I was a Photographer sitting on the sidelines of the Super Bowl shooting the game. The people sitting behind me paid thousands of dollars to be at that game and here I was getting paid (although not well) to stand on the sidelines of the biggest sporting event in the world.

Of course, there were also times I was covering a wildfire and wasn’t sure I was going to make it out alive.

But, I loved the job and I loved doing the job. Yes, the pay sucked at first. Yes, the hours always sucked. But, it sure beats working in a bank, or at some PR agency.

If your heart is not in it and you want to get out? Get out.

There is no shame in moving onto another job that you enjoy and it pays better. Many have done it and many have been happy doing so.

If you love journalism and you love the job, my advice is to hang in there. It’s only been 3 years and there will be a time when the pay does get better. You are still a rookie and unless you are playing in the NFL, rookies aren’t paid very well.

This job is very demanding and you must give up a lot of things in life to be in this business.

If you don’t think it’s for you, walk away and do something else.

If you love it, stick with it and hang on for one hell of a ride.