July 3, 2007
‘Am I pursuing a half-baked dream?’
I am 39 and have spent most of my working life in advertising, but last year I quit to pursue a long-standing dream and took post-graduate course in journalism. I’m now working for a big media organisation as an intern (the oldest intern in the world!)
My problem is this. Last week I was offered a senior, well-paid job in a prestigious advertising agency doing the kind of thing I used to do (though at a higher level). The problem is that advertising is a draining and not very edifying industry to work in. Yet, if I pursue the journalism I’ll continue to be a low-paid junior although I’ll feel better about saying what I do for a living. I can’t help thinking I’m too old and not as sprightly and energetic as I once was to make a go of it as a journalist.
I’m worried that I’m reacting to a mid-life crisis by pursuing half-baked dreams. I’m fortunate to have a partner who has a well-paid job in the City, so a low income for me isn’t a disaster. I feel that following my heart will take me into journalism (and little money) while following my head will lead me into advertising. Can you help?
Full disclosure — in heart v. head, for me, head usually wins. I went back to school after 10 years in the workforce to complete a law degree. The best advice I received was from a very senior attorney who told me that the worst thing I could do for my career was to start over as a junior attorney. My competition would always be 10 years younger and willing to work that much harder for that much less. The better approach, he thought, was to use the law degree to build on the experience I had already gained–I’ve done so and been happy with my choices.
In a senior position with this new agency, I would think that your foray into journalism may well give you a perspective and knowledge that can both separate you from your peers and give you opportunities to move into other aspects of advertising that may be better for your soul.
And for what it’s worth, I don’t think journalists have ANY more prestige than advertisers. Be proud of what you do.
Posted by: Marc Helouin | July 3rd, 2007 at 8:12 pm | Report this commentAs long as your partner has sufficient income to pay the bills and save for your future needs, why not follow your dream and do the work you find to be more satisfying? If you feel that you may not have the energy to be succesful as a journalist, there are writers who produce pieces without having to pound the pavement. The important thing is that you have the talent. If a senior editor gives a candid appraisal of your work and encourages you to stay in the field, then follow your heart.
Posted by: Margaret | July 3rd, 2007 at 9:07 pm | Report this commentIf you’re going to have paroxysms of indecision every time someone tempts you with a well paid job offering what you consider to be a joyless drudge towards retirement, then take the advertising job now. If you really believe that the pinnacle of your journalistic career will be as “a low paid junior”, then take the advertising job now. If you are finding journalism much harder than you thought it would be, if you’re starting to realise that maturity and a post-graduate qualification are not quite as useful as experience, then count your blessings. An internship might get you from useless to tolerably incompetent and with a bit of luck another couple of years or so might make you tolerably good. If then you can’t look back on some work that really gives you pride then you are probably not going to make “readable” but you’re still in your low forties with the choice of a career in advertising or journalism.
Posted by: Ironybrew | July 3rd, 2007 at 10:39 pm | Report this commentGo for it !
This is your life… live it as you want to.. there is no right & wrong answer, follow your dream, you will wake up happy, and if things didn’t work out go back to your “senior” experience role? oh well after all you tried, and didn’t give up “half baked” way to your dream, but followed wholeheartly through. I would for sure find a nice balance between senior & junior role, believe me, people will see that, specially your leadership skills if you happen to have managed people.. good luck.
Posted by: Mariam Sultani | July 3rd, 2007 at 10:41 pm | Report this commentStay in journalism! As we grow older we are more likely to regret the chances we didn’t take rather than the ones we did. It appears that advertising does nothing for your self-respect, while journalism thrills you. Why would you want to spend the next ten, 20, or 30 years of life doing something you don’t like? Keep in mind that over the next few decades people will stay in their careers longer, so you may get further ahead in journalism than you think. Thomas Jefferson wrote a beautiful essay on “Head v. Heart.” Jefferson was writing to a lover, but the thoughts apply to many aspects of life. After a long argument, Jefferson concludes that happiness is achieved by following our heart.
Posted by: David Hackney | July 4th, 2007 at 2:47 am | Report this commentThe key is that you don’t have any financial pressures. I would love to leave my job and do something more fulfilling, but I have a wife, two children, and a mother-in-law who depend on my income, so I have to stay in finance, even though there are many things that I would prefer to do.
You have to follow your heart - you will bitterly regret it in 10 years’ time if you don’t. If you take the advertising job, what will you have in 10 years’ time? More money, maybe a bit more status, but you don’t really want either of those things, do you. Follow your dream, and try to find a way to use your new skills to make the world a better place.
Posted by: Tom Adshead | July 4th, 2007 at 5:24 am | Report this commentChase your dream. You can always do something else later, whether that’s another complete change or a return to something that you find you miss.
Posted by: Consulting actuary, male, 43 | July 4th, 2007 at 6:22 am | Report this commentIt’s not clear if you are male or female, but since you don’t mention children, I assume you don’t need to include that in your plans. In that case, you’ve got another 20 years at least until you retire - half your working life. Plenty of time to make a career in journalism, particularly if you are fortunate enough to have support. Just check that your partner is right behind you whatever you choose to do - they may wish to quit sometime to follow a dream too, in which case both of you will have to adjust to a lower income level. But there’s nothing wrong with that, and presumably you have a house and some savings to keep you going. If you are enjoying it, go for it.
Posted by: A.Anderson, analyst, female, 30 | July 4th, 2007 at 9:14 am | Report this commentGo for it! As many comments say here, we tend to regret “what if”s rather than what we did.
Posted by: SL | July 4th, 2007 at 3:00 pm | Report this commentBesides, since you are already kind of an expert in advertising it is not a problem for you to find the topic to write about.
Bloody hell, man. Take the advertising job.
Posted by: low paid hack | July 4th, 2007 at 3:50 pm | Report this commentIf you’re unsure, why don’t you take the job and write during your spare time during weekends?
Posted by: Katie | July 4th, 2007 at 3:59 pm | Report this commentYou must be good at advertising to get the offer so take the money. Get your personal satisfaction through volunteer or part-time work. Remember, your partner could have an accident and be unable to work at any time.
Posted by: John | July 4th, 2007 at 4:04 pm | Report this commentI am charmed at your fanciful idea that you’ll be able to hold your head up in polite company as a journalist. When I tell people I’m a journalist mostly they think that I’m scum. Deeply untrustworthy and badly dressed too. When I say that actually I’m a columnist the best response is that the other person feigns interest and asks that most deadly of questions: “where do you get your ideas from”?
Posted by: Lucy Kellaway | July 4th, 2007 at 5:11 pm | Report this commentNow on the question of energy and your age. Yes, you are quite old to be starting out. I am nearly ten years older than you and am both impressed and depressed by the sheer energy and talent of journalists in their early 20s who are prepared to work long and antisocial hours on a pittance. It always makes me thankful not to be starting out now when the competition is more ferocious than ever, and thanks to the internet, the number of good jobs for journalists in decline.
You ask if you are having a mid life crisis? Yes, I can confidently say that you are. The good news is that yours is healthy when compared to the mid life crisis of most readers who send in problems. You can row back to your old industry, you’ve also got a wife who makes lots of money, and she is likely to remain your wife as you seem to be showing no signs of lusting after the nubile 20 year olds journalists who will be beating you to jobs.
The only point of pursuing your dream is (to mix a metaphor) to knock the stuffing out of it. The timing is all wrong: as you haven’t yet reached the disillusioned stage with journalism, taking the grand ad job will mean that you looking over your shoulder with constant regret when the job turns out to be dissatisfying (as most jobs are in parts).
If your heart sinks too much at the thought of returning to ad-land, perhaps you shouldn’t persist with your mlc/dream for a bit. But don’t leave it too long, or the way back into gainful employment may get a lot harder.
Dear Lucy,
I feel your dreams are justified but have you considered what you will do if, after a few years, your wealthy partner does not wish to support you anymore? Furthermore, advertising is not an exhausting industry. It requires understanding, creativity and innovation. Not every professional can become successful in this line of work. Since, you have the desired intellect, exposure and experience; it is but natural that the most superb advertising jobs are being offered to you. Therefore, I will advise you to take up the senior, well paid job in the prestigious advertising agency.
Journalism, however, may be your long lived childhood dream which at the moment may seem as an exciting challenge (and a career break) for you. But your interests will change once the going gets tough.
I am not advising you to forget your dreams for a secure and luxurious lifestyle but only to be realistic. Since, you are a brilliant marketing professional, you require challenges and stimulation to recharge your brain cells. Staying in the same advertising industry may seem to be boring and ‘draining’ your energy. But don’t worry; you will get many challenges once you take up this highly-paid job. Moreover, journalism is an open profession. If you wish, you can follow your passions in your free time. For example, you can work as a free lance writer for many different magazines at the same time.
(PS: in case i haven’t mentioned, when i was a student, i also used to work as a free lance writer to get some extra pocket money)
Posted by: Amera Kiran Iqbal | July 4th, 2007 at 7:45 pm | Report this commentIt seems to me that you’ve spent only a year giving your journalism dreams a shot. And you spent that year doing a post-grad course. So you haven’t really spent that much time strictly working in journalism, by the looks of it. You need to give this life-long dream more time. Give yourself another year working in journalism. I am certain you will find out if you enjoy it and want to stay or if you want out and back to advertising. Two years is not a long time to be out of an “industry”.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 4th, 2007 at 8:44 pm | Report this commentUne vie sans risques n’est pas une vie
Posted by: Mark | July 4th, 2007 at 9:40 pm | Report this commentThere is nothing more taxing than facing a task that holds no fascination, passion or interest. I say go for the post that holds your heart, especially as you have no fiancial pressures. Financial need is behind most people staying in jobs they hate, and more often than not the result is misery. As was once said: what you get out of a job is less important than what you become by it.
Posted by: Martin Hewes | July 4th, 2007 at 11:09 pm | Report this commentWhen I posted a comment earlier, I was not sure if you were a man or woman. Now I think that, since you appear to be a bloke, you need to consider very carefully whether at some point you will need to support a family, and whether the prospects as a journalist will be adequate for this. Despite all the ‘gender equality’ stuff, the reality is that your wife may not want to continue working in the City indefinately (not many people do).
Why not screw either more money or better hours out of the company offering you a job, since you are giving up your ‘dream’ for it, and look forward to a well-funded retirment.
Posted by: A.Anderson | July 5th, 2007 at 11:38 am | Report this commentDo you really like your job in a media organisation? It’s not clear. You only mention the fact that you feel better about saying what you do for a living, which isn’t the same thing. If you absolutely loved your new job in journalism, then it might be worth chucking your career in advertising.
And by the way, journalism can be draining and not very edifying, either. I know very few journalists over the age of 45 who actually like what they do. Most leave the profession before that.
Female, 30’s, banker turned journalist
Posted by: Fiona | July 5th, 2007 at 1:42 pm | Report this commentI faced the same crossroads many years ago and chose journalism. I took a two-thirds pay cut and it was years before my newspaper salary caught up to where my advertising salary had been. But I made the right decision. Life is too short to spend your days doing something you loath. I am certain my life has been much richer as a journalist than it would have been as an adman. A warning though: print journalism is a profession in turmoil, perhaps even permanent decline because of competition from online media. Make sure your partner is 100% behind you, or else be prepared to accept a major decline in your standard of living. My first newspaper job paid so little I once ran out of money several days before my next paycheck and lived on popcorn. (And by the way, I’m over 50 and still like what I do.)
Posted by: Jack | July 6th, 2007 at 9:28 am | Report this commentAs an independent economic consultant I often have periods of unemployment and will try my hand at anything that comes along. Aged 59 I managed to get a job as a researcher/reporter on an international TV news station in the business department, with absolutely no prior TV experience, though a good knowledge of international economics and business. I had a low entry-level salary. My new boss hired me for my “grey hair” and presumed associated wisdom. I was told to think about strategy. After my three months probationary period, during which I thoroughly enjoyed seeing myself quizzing the rich and powerful on the box, I was fired as not being as productive as all the bright 20 and 30-somethings fresh out of journalism school, several of whom had some years experience with major international TV stations.
I wrote to the chief executive saying it was correct to fire me as a journalist but a shame that I was never asked about the strategy issues, and sent her my initial thoughts on how editorial and programming policy should develop. Next week I was re-hired, this time as personal strategic advisor to the chief executive and on a much better salary.
Three months after that I got an unrefusable job offer back in the consultancy world. So, I had a vastly interesting six-month experience in a completely new field, which has given my “real” career several new perspectives.
My advice: Go for the journalism and if it doesn’t work out you’ll have enriched and broadened your work experience, strenthening your CV for whatever next takes your fancy.
Posted by: Stephen | July 6th, 2007 at 2:53 pm | Report this commentFollow your heart… here’s to giving it a go
Ithaca (1911)
by Constantine P. Cavafy
When you set out on your journey to Ithaca,
pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the angry Poseidon — do not fear them:
You will never find such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your spirit and your body.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not set them up before you.
Pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many, when,
with such pleasure, with such joy
you will enter ports seen for the first time;
stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensual perfumes of all kinds,
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from scholars.
Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for many years;
and to anchor at the island when you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.
Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would have never set out on the road.
She has nothing more to give you.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
Wise as you have become, with so much experience,
you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.
Posted by: Ioannis | July 6th, 2007 at 10:36 pm | Report this commentIoannis has made perhaps the most useful contribution to this debate. No matter how bad it is to work in advertising and no matter how frustrating journalism can be, at least you are not selling timeshare property in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Posted by: ironybrew | July 8th, 2007 at 9:16 pm | Report this commentWhy don’t you start as a freelance or part-time journalist and later, with some experience in this area, get a column in a newspaper (as long as you have something interesting to say). You don’t have to say goodbye to your previous career to make an achievement in another field.
Posted by: Irie Berna | July 11th, 2007 at 7:06 pm | Report this commentTake the advertising job. Write a blog. Better still, use your blog to write at length about the advertising industry until such time as someone takes notice and signs you up.
You could of course, philosophise at length about doing the right thing, but if you can’t get journalistic content out of the characters that make up the hallowed corridors of an ad agency, you’re probably not going to make Editor anyway.
Posted by: Ian Rumsby | July 13th, 2007 at 7:31 am | Report this commentI just read a chapter in a book by Paulo Coelho (flowing like the river - how to climb mountains) which i thought could be helpful for your state of questionning:
In summary: ‘don’t be influenced by what other people say: that one’s prettier, or that one looks easier. you are going to put a lot of energy and enthusiam into achieving your objective and you are the only person responsible for your choice, so be quite sure about what you are doing’.
Posted by: lisa weaver | July 15th, 2007 at 1:22 pm | Report this commentI left a solid job in a solid country with promise of long-term security to come to London and work as a journalist. Now because of the job market I’m stuck in a lousy job as a financial journalist with lousy pay and have my desk right next to someone’s as opposed to what now seems like a cushy cubicle in my former employment. When I dreamt of writing about African politics and clever columns, I never thought that the market would push me in this direction. My advice? Go back to advertising. It’s still creative, and you can definitely write on the side. Writing on mergers and acquisitions cannot be more exciting than putting together an advertising campaign.
Posted by: Raj | July 18th, 2007 at 12:14 am | Report this comment“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain
Posted by: AA | July 25th, 2007 at 6:53 pm | Report this commentPlease don’t take this the wrong way but… enough poetry!!
Posted by: analyst, female, 30 | July 30th, 2007 at 10:01 am | Report this commentGo with advertising. This is from someone in Journalism
Posted by: Elizabeth Bromley | July 31st, 2007 at 12:18 am | Report this commentGood god man buy a big motorbike and a leather jacket.
Posted by: FD | August 2nd, 2007 at 9:50 pm | Report this commentthe grass is always greener on the other side? (or however it goes…)
To have in one place what makes your living and what makes your life is something few people can have. If you really put your personal style to what makes your living (instead of moaning) will get you closer to that dream! I follow all others who have commented that the disilusionment of Journalist professional life may also hit you, get the ad. job and start writing, do a blog, use your job as an inspirational source, excersize your brain and writing first, if it really is your thing it will naturally take you where you want to go!
Posted by: RR | August 6th, 2007 at 10:12 am | Report this commentOn lingering doubts: Felix Dennis’s poem “Never Look Back” might help. On outlook: opportunities and success come from the least expected sources, the example of the grey haired consultant being a perfect example.
If doubts remain do a mind exercise. In summary, make yourself calm and relaxed, close off every sound and focus all your energy on imagining that you’re on your deathbed. You’re about to breathe your last, with the oscilloscope beeping, breathing apparatus stuffed down your throat and drips hanging off every vein. Then ask yourself the same questions.
Posted by: John H | August 20th, 2007 at 3:00 pm | Report this commentYes, I can help.
Posted by: Wilhelm Kaiser | August 22nd, 2007 at 12:38 pm | Report this commentPursuade yourself that the advertising job is what you like best and keep up with the good work.
Best regards
Wilhelm
Always, always, always follow your dream.
Posted by: SteveSomebody | September 11th, 2007 at 9:10 pm | Report this commentSounds like the trusty old mid life crisis. You are looking for psychic income from your work. Only those lucky enough to have a calling can claim that. If I were you, I would take the advertising job. What you are looking for most likely won’t be in journalism either.You’ll find that out over time and kick yourself in the ass. Work is work. It sucks and is not designed to fulfill your passions or psychic needs. Go back to advertising and start a blog. Then you can have them both.
Good luck!
Jake
Posted by: jim jacobs | September 20th, 2007 at 12:47 am | Report this commentI am in the same predicament. What do I do? I am 26. Unmarried. Advertising? or Journalism? i cant take the advice in this forum and buy a leather jacket or a brand new bike. I am not 42. Nor can i follow my dreams and not care about the consequences. Or, take a job I cannot last in.
I sympathize heavily with individuals facing such decisions. In many cases, both decisions turn out to be wrong. Whither advice, thence?
Posted by: suman | October 22nd, 2007 at 6:48 pm | Report this commentHello. I am the original writer of this problem (Mr Half-Baked Dream!). Thanks to everyone for your advice, which I found really useful. In the end, I carried on with the journalism for another six months and then took a job last month back in advertising. I really want to carry on writing freelance on the side so hope I can pull that off. I think I’ve done the right thing as the appeal of journalism was starting to fade as a full-time career, as was the money problem. By the way, my partner (whom lots of people assumed was my wife) is actually a man, so just shows you should never make assumptions!
To the final comment on this page, suman, I say go for journalism. You are young enough at 26 to make a success of it. My real advice would be to do one of the best post-grad journalism courses you can (City Uni, Preston or Cardiff) and take it from there. It really is a satisfying career, if you get in early enough. 26 is definitely early enough.
Thanks again everyone for your comments, and especially to Lucy for the original idea. It’s a brilliant way to get help and I really valued it.
Posted by: Half Baked Dream | February 13th, 2008 at 1:36 pm | Report this commentThe thing is, if you have come this far towards your dream, yet are still tempted to go back to advertising, maybe it’s time to acknowledge the dream was better than the reality, and take the advertising job.
Posted by: Marie | February 18th, 2008 at 2:33 am | Report this commentWhy don`t you combine these activities? I advise you to become a freelance journalist, to write articles, attend special seminars or…Maybe your desire for journalism is a dsir for writing? Who knows, maybe you have a talent for it that is why you feel no more interest in advertising. For instance, my mother graduated as an architect, and had an opportunity to make a brilliant career in this field. But then she decided to leave this activity and became a journalist because she strivd for writing so much. And now she is the best journalist in my city, really. And she does not regret that once she took a dcision to bcome a journalist. Although she was younger that time. But for you it also can be possible. At least you will do what you really want and like. Good luck!
Posted by: Anna | April 18th, 2008 at 9:26 am | Report this comment