Departure

A story by Michelle G. Chan in American Journalism Review describes the decision Emily Nipps made to leave the Tampa Bay Times for a PR job at a hospital. (Even though, according to the story, the paper offered to pay her more than her new job would have.)

I’ve known several people who made similar moves. Here’s what I’d like to know: Do you miss journalism? Are you glad you left? What does the balance sheet look like?

It’s hard for me to imagine leaving journalism. Most of my non-family relationships are based on journalism. Most of the best times I’ve had with friends in the past ten years have been with journalist friends. If I left the game, I feel as if a big part of my life would end.

Let’s talk about it. What if the bylines went away? Who would you be? What would you do?