Capitol Hill looks like journalism's growth market, says the Wash. Post

Good morning, (and happy Friday!)

Here's what's on my mind at the moment.

So, I graduated from college in June 2009, often referred to as the worst possible year to break into the print biz. But things are suddenly looking up. I'm not sure when it happened-- economists have been declaring the recession over for quite some time now-- but I am beginning to feel it firsthand, just a little more.

A trend story in today's Washington Post caught my eye. "In contrast to media industry's struggles, a boom for those who cover Congress."

I was just saying to someone the other day that it feels like wherever I go, whatever networking event, it seems that half of the contacts I meet work for Bloomberg. Why the conglomeration there? It recently added 150 journalists to its staff for the launch of Bloomberg Government, a specialized news and data publication readers can subscribe to for $5,700 a year. That could be one reason. Politico's new baby, Politico Pro, is a bird of the same feather and added more than 30 staffers to its new publication last month to keep up.

This is excellent news. Despite the crazy changing platform of journalism in the 21st century, people are still hungry for political coverage. As the story points out, Congress is front and center when it comes to some of the most hot button issues facing America today. People care. People want to feel informed. People want to weigh in.

Taken 3/22/11 on a stroll down to the Capitol w/ a coworker

So much so, that the senate press gallery director, Joe Keenan, estimates there are approximately 11 reporters covering each member of Congress.

Think about that ratio. Gone are the days when one reporter would cover six, or 11, members of congress. Today, we see the reverse.

This allows us to really delve into our subjects and become an expert on the Congressman/woman. There are certainly perks: increased knowledge of the subject's political past, voting history, opinions, etc. But it also increases the competition.

Veteran press secretary Jim Manley says Hill reporters care more about posting a story before their competition than they do about accuracy. He lamented that sometimes, journalists would call him after posting a story to make sure they had gotten in right and fact check.

There's something to be said for speed in this industry-- everybody wants it first. But I almost fear that working on the Hill would bring out the frazzled, flustered, persistent-beyond-charming side of me that no one needs to see.

How do you survive in that fast-paced lifestyle in which the latest updates are expected of you at all hours of the day?

Simple. You have to live and breathe it and be committed to nothing else. It really seems like an art you learn to master.

I think I'm up for it.

That's all for now.

More later from the Newseum's after-hours "Night at the Museum" event tonight. Somewhere between roughing it in the Montana wilderness and house-sitting a chicken farm, my life became swanky.

xoxo
T

What I really know about starting out in DC

I'm almost done with my second month of reporting for the AARP Bulletin, and I can't seem to figure out where the time has gone.

I came to Washington (DC, that is, not the state, my hometown-- an annoyance I've had to overcome in my short time here) with a hunger for adventure and a desire to learn how to cover politics. I'm still learning, and by no means do I feel like I have answers. But I'm learning the ins and outs and signature marks that make up this "10 square miles" and in reflecting on what I have seen, I have noticed a few things.

Here's what I've learned in the 6 or 7 weeks I've been here:

• This town truly is incestuous. Not only does everyone truly know everyone, but the dirtiest little scandals occur on the side, when no one's even paying attention. The latest debacle involves Kurt Bardella, the press aide of Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) leaking private emails between Issa's office and local D.C. reporters to an outside author writing a book on political journalism coverage in the nation's capital. Oops. The story simply makes everyone look bad, and in this Washington Post article, Dana Milbank opens with, "If Washington's political culture gets any more incestuous, our children are going to be born with extra fingers." Well-said, sir. 

• Networking will get you everywhere. Duh. You're thinking, "How could you possibly have not known this at 24 years of age and living in D.C.?" Well, I didn't fully believe it until I began to put myself out there at National Press Club events and meet n greets in which I first-handedly learned that half this town got their jobs by knowing the right person. *Sigh. Let the games begin. 

• Experiencing a new city is overwhelming, motivating and exhausting. I have burned up shoe leather visiting the free museums here-- a perfect solo Sunday activity-- and I am still not even halfway through my list. Atop my favorites are The National Portraiture Gallery, The National Gallery of Art and the Newseum, of course. Tomorrow night, one of my roommates and I will attend what looks to be this amazing after-hours shmoozing event at the Newseum. The rooftop terrace view of the Capitol will probably never cease to amaze me. This has got to be one of the most motivating places I have ever lived, as reporters here are always on the go, always asking questions, typically feel entitled, appear fearless and plunge into their stories head first. 

• Living with roommates-- particularly five other 20-something girls-- isn't quite as difficult as people had expected. By people, I mean everyone I told of my living situation. "Six girls in a tiny apartment in DC? Good luck with that," my friends back home would smirk. But I've been pleasantly surprised by the sweet friendships we've formed, the ability to co-exist, the common courtesies we show each other. Are we finally at an age when we can room together and live with strangers without drama and instead, simply stick together and learn from one another? Such a welcome change from my days of RA-ing and watching best friends turn to enemies because Roommate 1 lived like a sloppy barn animal and Roommate 2 couldn't figure out why bringing home boys to a 5 foot-by-5-foot room might disturb not only Roommate 1 but most of the floor of girls. These five girls are fellow interns in the Washington Center for Politics and Journalism. Aside from a shared love of writing, we have more in common than I would have imagined. As with AmeriCorps and living in Great Falls, Montana for a year, I learned more from the people than I did from the experiences, sometimes. And sharing my experiences and hearing their stories late at night while we sit around eating popcorn, unintentionally delving into serious conversations about life, love and careers or debating our political ideologies has reminded me that you needn't know someone your whole life to call them a good friend, and that it is possibly to learn something from everyone. 

• It takes time to establish yourself. It takes a long, long time to build your career, your credibility, your entire network of contacts and mentors and colleagues. And it pains me to see, in this town, once it's gone, it's gone. (See Congressman Chris Lee.) 

• No one who lives in DC is actually from this area. This is a town of transplants. 

• It's amazing how much in common you may have with coworkers in their early 50s. One of my coworkers has been so kind as to let me into her life, share her wisdom with me, let me piggyback onto her stories, (and share the occasional byline with!) share her views on marriage, feminism, politics and generational career issues with me. In Montana, I got to know the women at the health department fairly well. By the end of the first quarter, I could pop into almost anyone's office and shoot the breeze. By the time my year was up, I received cards, well wishes and teary-eyed hugs as I set off for a new adventure. I expected the work culture here to be about as polar opposite as you could imagine, but I had hoped to make friends in my workplace. I'm pleased to say, mentors are mentors, and they're lurking everywhere. You just have to find them. 

• There is an endless amount of activity to do here. 

• Riding the metro is no laughing at matter. Get out of the way, get out fast. And for the love of tourists, stay to the right on the escalators, unless you plan to keep moving. 

That's all for now. I promise to keep up with this blog better in the future. It's been a whirlwind thus far, but absolutely amazing and I feel lucky to have this adventure. 

xoxo

T