I left the Univision and Associated Press newsrooms for a boardroom and the classroom. But I did not turn my back on my mission.
This post is for those of us who’ve stepped away from journalism, or are thinking about it, and most of all for those still in it.
Because journalism is more than a job. It’s a mission and a mindset. A calling. A commitment to truth, clarity, and curiosity. And even when we leave the newsroom, those values often stay with us.
If you’ve changed careers but still ask hard questions, communicate with purpose, and fight for understanding in a noisy world, you’re still doing the work. Just from a different angle.
Adrenaline and After
If you’ve ever worked in a newsroom, you know the feeling.
The rush of breaking news.
The thrum of the deadline.
The adrenaline when a story is coming together.
For many of us, journalism was never just a job. It was an identity. A purpose. A way of showing up in the world.
But today, more and more journalists no longer work in newsrooms.
Some left by choice. Others were pushed out by layoffs, burnout, or shrinking budgets.
Now they work in tech. In PR. In nonprofits, education, advocacy, and even real estate.
And though their job titles may have changed, their instincts haven’t.
They still ask hard questions.
They still seek clarity in complexity.
They still tell the truth, clearly and quickly, under pressure.
Quiet Pivot
Leaving journalism isn’t always about finding a new paycheck.
It’s often a deeper shift—one that comes with grief, guilt, and big questions.
There’s a deep sense of service in journalism: exposing injustice, informing the public, holding power to account. Walking away from that mission can feel like abandoning a cause.
But many journalists who’ve pivoted find that their core values don’t disappear.
They evolve.
They find new expression.
In new roles, those same people are:
- Advocating for communities.
- Writing for clarity.
- Navigating crises with calm.
- Elevating truth inside corporations and classrooms.
The work is different. But the impact is still there.
Transferable vs Replaceable
Journalists are trained in rare and powerful skills:
- Listening with intention.
- Writing with speed and accuracy.
- Distilling complexity into clarity.
- Keeping cool when everything is on fire.
In today’s world, where information is constant and confusion is common, these skills are more than relevant. They’re essential.
That’s why you’ll find former journalists thriving as:
- Content strategists
- Communications leaders
- Crisis managers
- Researchers
- Speechwriters
- Founders
Not because they abandoned their craft.
But because they carried it forward.
Journalism Matters More
And let’s be clear: journalism is still a noble, vital profession.
At a time when misinformation spreads faster than facts, and public trust is shaky, we need journalists more than ever. The ones who remain are documenting history in real time. They’re doing brave, essential work. They deserve our support, not just from within the industry, but from all of us.
Redefining Identity
Letting go of the “journalist” label isn’t easy. But it can also be freeing.
Because journalism was never really about the bylines, the awards, or the glamour.
It was always about what you did with your voice.
Your curiosity.
A need to make sense of the world.
Those traits still matter. And they still live in you—even if you’re no longer chasing leads on deadline.
Who's Left Is Right
You’re not alone. And you haven’t sold out. You’ve adapted.
The world still needs truth-tellers.
It still needs people who know how to listen deeply, write clearly, and say the quiet parts out loud.
Whether or not you’re in a newsroom, you still have a voice.
And it still matters.
Have you walked away from journalism? Or are you thinking about it? I’d love to hear how you’re navigating the pivot, and how you’re still carrying the mission forward.