- What’s the biggest change from when you started in media?
The Internet! There was no Internet when I started in 1986. It’s completely changed the way I do things at work. It’s changed the way I do my research and find things out.
- Where do you see the media outlet you work for going in the next few years?
I’m hoping it will still exist, as many don’t anymore.
- What major changes have you seen lately in the media outlet you work for?
It’s no secret we’ve had a lot of lay-offs. The Internet has changed a lot about my job too. We’ve had to learn to become multimedia journalists. We have to do things we haven’t done before. We have to think beyond the written word.
- Where do you feel media is going now?
I feel like we’re heading into a situation where newspapers are going to end. Many already have gone. I think we might go back to local papers as opposed to the bigger outlets we’re used to getting information from.
- How has technology changed what you do at work on a day-to-day basis?
We used to have to go out and pound the pavement. Social media and technology have definitely changed things. I can write stories from my phone in my car, as it’s a WiFi hotspot. The audience is much bigger too. People from all over the world can read these stories now.
- Is there something you used to do at work that you no longer do now?
I used to go to selectman’s meetings a lot, but I don’t do that as much anymore. I used to take notes on a notepad too, but now I can use my phone. It’s also not much face-to-face communication anymore. It’s hard to create a vivid picture for people, as you don’t have as many descriptive details. It doesn’t feel as personal.
- Is there something you’re doing now that you never imagined you’d be doing in your field or line of work?
I didn’t think I’d be able to do my project at Graham Putnam Mahoney.
- Did you major in communications, journalism, media or a related subject in college? If not, what led you to this career path?
I was more of a science kid in school, but once I got to college, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do. I eventually declared a major in psychology though. But when I was working in that field, I wasn’t too happy with what I was doing. A friend of mine told me if I went to a selectman’s meeting for the T&G, they would pay me $25, which was a lot back then. I had decent writing skills, so I decided to give it a shot.
- Has what you learned in college been helpful in your career thus far?
It did nothing for me. I learned a lot on my own or while I was out on my own.
- What is one major change you expect to see in your job/field?
I expect I could leave or lose my job at any time. It makes me kind of nervous.
- What would you say is the most challenging aspect of your career?
Calling people during a crisis is still challenging for me after this time. Animal cruelty cases are hard for me to cover too. Sometimes I’m like, “Please don’t make me do this!” You have to be prepared for the unexpected sometimes too.
- Do you have any advice for anyone who isn’t sure if they want to pursue a career in media?
I would say you have to really evaluate your career options. Think, can you see yourself doing this in the future and sticking with it? If you don’t work too well under pressure, then maybe this isn’t the best option for you.
amberlabonte 