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Read as Jimmy Bellamy gets JobShadowed about his career as a multimedia editor.  You can find Jimmy here and on his Twitter feed in the sidebar of this interview.  

What do you do for a living?JimmyBellamy

I’m a journalist, specifically a multimedia editor at the Duluth (Minn.) News Tribune, focusing on its digital (duluthnewstribune.com) and print products.

How would you describe what you do?

My job involves anything and everything a newsroom employee can do: social media, assigning stories, writing, editing, photography, shooting and editing video. The main duties of my job are to manage the content on duluthnewstribune.com and its social media accounts.

What does your work entail?

Collaboration, daily deadlines, multitasking, a variety of hours.

What’s a typical work week like?

I work Monday through Friday, usually from morning until mid-afternoon. But the business never stops, so you have to be available during all hours and on weekends for breaking news. I arrive and leave with something to do; it doesn’t stop. There are daily news budget meetings to attend (morning and afternoon) with editors and copy editors. Stories get posted on the website and to social media each day. E-mails get answered, phone calls are taken. My job involves talking with the public, too: answering questions, getting story ideas, helping people troubleshoot the website. I assign stories to reporters, edit a number of stories for the website and print edition.

How did you get started?

I became interested in journalism in high school. I wrote for the school newspaper and decided to pursue it once I got to college. I had an internship at a weekly newspaper when I was in college. I was hired as a sportswriter at a daily newspaper around the time I graduated.

What do you like about what you do?

I enjoy the variety. My job is what I make it. I get to meet people and learn about a number of topics each day. I feel smarter at the end of the day because I’ve learned something new.

What do you dislike?

There’s always a story out there to do; it’s impossible to get to everything.

How do you make money/or how are you compensated? 

I’m a salaried employee.

How much do you make?  

$0-25,000       ____

$25k-$35k       ____

$50k-75K         ____

$75k-100k       ____

$100-$200k    ____

$200k-$300k  ____

$300k+         ____

Additional comments: Compensation for this position is negotiable.

How much money did/do you make starting out?  

As a journalist: $27,000

Starting out in my current position: $41,000

What education, schooling, or skills are needed to do this?

A background in journalism and communication. Strong writing and editing skills and an understanding of media ethics are a must. Versatility is huge. The more you can do, the more valuable you become.

What is most challenging about what you do?

The lack of specialization. Being versatile is great, but it can be a burden if not managed properly.

What is most rewarding?

Getting a story ahead of everyone else. Better than that is credibility, being a person or place that people come to when big news is happening.

What advice would you offer someone considering this career?

With anything, be passionate about it. Love what you do and do it well.

How much time off do you get/take?

I get five weeks of vacation per year.

What is a common misconception people have about what you do?

People hear “multimedia editor” and think I’m an IT guy.

What are your goals/dreams for the future?

I want to travel and live comfortably while remaining active and healthy.

What else would you like people to know about your job/career?

It’s a position that allows an employee freedom to make decisions about the direction it goes.

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