Career advice: When Put on Hold, Don't Stop Job Hunting

It's better to take active control of your future than to wait around and hope that your promised job will materialize. To cover your bases, you should contact the firm and get a realistic starting date in writing. We don't think there's much mileage in looking for another job in an area that doesn't excite you.

Journalism is a difficult field to break into. One way is to study evenings or weekends. You can continue earning your present salary, but you'll likely not have immediate opportunities to actually write. You will, however, learn the fundamentals and meet others who share your interest. The second alternative is to secure a job at a newspaper, magazine, Web site or other publisher, with your current skills and look for writing opportunities. You may have to work for less money but will have the chance to make contacts and create the kind of job you want over time. A third approach is to offer writing services free of charge to nonprofit organizations. This strategy allows you to continue your present salary and to write professionally. If your work is good, you'll be able to use this experience as a springboard for a paying job in journalism.