Stop me if you have heard this before….

A media company makes cuts to trim done the staff going into 2025.

This has happened at Tegna, Scripps, Gray, Sinclair, and you can add Spectrum News to that list as well.

Richard Damas landed his first full-time job out of school at Spectrum News in Worcester, Mass.

Now, three years into that job, Damas is learning about the side the business that many are also experiencing, and that is losing your job.

The MMJ posted an update on his social media.

Hello,

A month from now will be my last day at Spectrum News 1 Worcester.

Back in August, I along with many of my coworkers were told big changes would be happening at our company which also meant several layoffs in the process.

For one, all the bureaus including mine, the Chicopee bureau would be gone by 2025.

You can imagine how gut wrenching that day was for myself and everyone else involved...

Spectrum News changed my life.

From the amazing people I've had the privilege to work with to the style of news that we strive to tell everyday.

As my first full-time job as a reporter, it's been a very fulfilling experience telling local stories everyday from politics and sports to education, while also building relationships and trust with the Central and Western Massachusetts community in the process.

That said, the career has also been very emotionally draining and for more than a year now, I knew a break would be inevitable.

I took earlier months after the announcement to interview for other reporter positions and while I did receive offers, I've decided the best move for me right now is an indefinite hiatus from news reporting all together.

These last three years as a multimedia journalist, I've developed many powerful and transferable skills in the workplace.

From AP style copywriting, to adobe and final cut video editing. Planning and executing video shoots. Conducting interviews. Building an on-camera presence as well as trust with the Western Mass community, and continuing to pioneer a bureau as the second, longest tenured, and only Spectrum News reporter in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin County.

My peers know me as a team player, dependable, a great communicator and someone who gets results no matter the cost.

I am currently based in Western Mass and while I am open to many opportunities, I am favoring positions in media relations, event coordination/management, PR, admin assistant, marketing, etc., in the New England region.

I was hesitant to make a public post about my employment status for a while for obvious reasons, but I believe it makes sense this time around.

For one, I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for my family, friends, mentors, co-workers, employers, etc., who have supported me along the way.

Building a career is a team game.

Know that this is not the end, but the start of a new beginning and one I am wholeheartedly ready to embrace.

If you've made it this far, all I can say is thank you for your time and support and to please stay tuned for what's next!

Sincerely,
Richard