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I was a reporter and an editor for five years in various NYC papers... mostly freelance. Please don't take my terible spelleng on tis forem as evidence of my lack of skill... I'm here for fun and definitely NOT in any professional capacity!
Anyway, I can tell you that in my experience, it is extremely tough to work in journalism anymore, but especially in NYC where you have lots of extremely talented journalists from some of the best, and local, journalism schools around (Columbia School of Journalism, anyone?) If you're coming here to GET experience, you're making a mistake... people only come to NYC to work in journalism if they've already been hired somewhere.
I can also tell you that it's extremely, extremely hard to get an actual staff position. The problem is that there are hundreds of freelancers who will work for next-to-nothing just for the headline. This depresses wages in the industry across the entire region.
If you're looking for work with the Big 3 (NYTimes, Post or Daily News/Sun), you'll have a really hard time of it. The Post and Sun may take your freelance stuff, but don't expect to make alot of money... or any.
Honestly, I may be painting too rosey a picture for you. Let me reiterate: it's next to impossible to make a living in journalism alone in this city if you're new at it... and even if you're highly experienced AND manage to get a staff position, they'll pay beans. I thought I had hit the jackpot when I was making $36,000 a year and was getting health insurance.
Furthermore, if you want to go freelance, its gotten increasingly more difficult to get a press pass. And if you don't get a press pass, you are dead. You will have no sway.
However if you insist on coming here, do what many people do and take a second job as a waiter or -- if you're really an excellent writer -- make ends meet by doing blog writing or press releases or something. That's what I did. And press release work can pay really well if you're a good haggler.
You're coming in during the death of the industry. I'm sorry to tell you but you're in for a struggle ahead. Maybe you should consider entering a market with fewer highly experienced and highly desperate writers?
Finally, explore the ethnic papers. They often pay when others don't. Jewish newspapers are especially big in NYC, as are Latino (are you Spanish-speaking?) and West Indies. Try the ethinc rags, then with 10 years under your belt, apply to the Times. Good luck!
Edit: And ignore mediabistro.com --- they're useless. I never once got a job off that site. Craigslist is the way to go, as are personal connections. Most of my jobs came from people I met in person.
Edit full disclosure: I quit journalism after 5 years. I now earn three times as much as I did at my journalistic heights working in a corporate editorial position. I couldn't hack it, but that doesn't mean you can't.
Thank you so much for the thoughtful response. I appreciate all your insight....I didn't realize NYC was not a good place to come to get formal experience, I thought there would be a good number of entry-level jou. jobs, where you could prove yourself and move from there...I guess I have much to think about...such as being in competition with the Columbia grads. Thanks again!
Will be moving to NYC early next year with an English & journalism degree--does anyone know what a starting salary may be?
I know it may greatly depend on where you work, but every job I look at NEVER indicates salary, so I have no idea (though I'm sure it's not much-haha) I'm thinking just an average reporter-type job, or editorial assistant at a large magazine...any approximation would be appreciated!
P.S. Are jobs in this field easy to find?
Most editorial assistants I know are female 20-somethings in flip flops who make peanuts, but live in $3000+ apartments subsidized by dad.
Please anyone can help me and guide me about the salary of fresh journalist! my question is
Q.1 What is the minimum and maximum salary of fresh journalist?
Q.2 Is the press card of Pakistan is for all countries?
Q.3 Is it right to be a journalist in USA and what are the other fields of Mass communication?
Please guide me because in 2 years i am going to do mass communication from Pakistan and is it right to choose this field ?
AND PLEASE I WILL BE GRATEFUL TO YOU IF A EXPERIENCED PERSON CONTACT ME ON MY MAIL
[mod]Not a good idea to post your own email. People can send you a DM on this site, and you can choose to disclose email to them if you want[/mod]
I moved to New York with an English degree....and ended up being a union construction worker, which pays about 6 times more.
I still read lots of books though.
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Thanks again! 
