In the meantime, take a look around my site. My vitae, as well as professional writing and speaking clips, are included.

Best wishes as you navigate the changes — both good and bad — in mass media.

In the article, Gladwell cites Chris Anderson’s new book, “Free: The Future of a Radical Price.” In his book, Anderson predicts the following about journalists:

There may be more of them, not fewer, as the ability to participate in journalism extends beyond the credentialed halls of traditional media. But they may be paid far less, and for many it won’t be a full time job at all. Journalism as a profession will share the stage with journalism as an avocation. Meanwhile, others may use their skills to teach and organize amateurs to do a better job covering their own communities, becoming more editor/coach than writer. If so, leveraging the Free—paying people to get other people to write for non-monetary rewards—may not be the enemy of professional journalists. Instead, it may be their salvation.

One things is for sure: There is a lots to consider in this new age.

John Mark is getting real-life experience in how new and traditional media are interacting in this ever-changing industry.

Good for him. I enjoy his writing, and I know he’s learning a lot. Keep up the good work, John Mark.

Time has published over the last several months several thought-provoking pieces that address the downfall of traditional news media, and what the future holds for journalism. See here and here.

How to Write a Photo Caption

How to Refinish a Weathered Deck

How to Make  a St. Louis-Style Pizza

The top three entries are posted on AEJMC’s blog. My favorite is associate professor Jane B. Singer’s entry. Concerning undergraduate journalism education, Singer suggests:

…in addition to the overall value of a university education that ideally develops abilities to learn, think, experiment, focus, socialize and grow:

• Preparation for entry-level job that includes training and practice in multi-platform content creation and maintenance, basic updates, routine reporting, editing and self-editing, blogging and working with users. Basic contextual information about journalists and journalism – law, ethics, history, social/cultural roles – also is part of this education.

• Preparation for career advancement that builds on the basics through training and practice in such areas as investigative reporting, analyzing information (in multiple formats), producing commentary, developing a personal voice, planning and creating multimedia information packages, and so on. Given accreditation limitations, any given student can gain familiarity through coursework with only a subset of these.

• Preparation for specialization that focuses more attention on / advising about content and structure of courses outside journalism than is currently provided, with an eye toward development of a marketable area of expertise for the student.

Journalism is still an attractive option for students at other schools, enrollment figures show. Applications to the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism increased 44 percent this year, according to the school. At the City University of New York’s Graduate School of Journalism, applications surged 50 percent, said Stephen Shepard, the dean.

But here’s some good news: According to one author, people who boast creative abilities, including designers and storytellers, are going to be in high demand as we usher in the “Conceptual Age.”

Daniel Pink, a former speech writer for Al Gore, writes in his book, “A Whole New Mind,” that left-brain professions, such as accounting, law and engineering, are increasingly being outsourced, while those with creative talents are becoming more valuable.

So here’s one more reason to believe our industry — one that’s made up of mostly creative types — is still incredibly viable.

An excerpt from the article:

“For the first time in 60 years, newspapers are back in the breaking news business,” Cole said, “except now their delivery method is electronic and not paper. Since the beginning of radio, newspapers have not been able to compete with broadcasting for delivery of immediate news. But in a digital world, newspapers can compete at least as effectively for breaking news delivery with broadcast media. On the Web, newspapers are live, and they can supplement their coverage with audio, video, and the invaluable resources of their vast archives. And, they already have talented teams of reporters and editors who can deliver the news.

“The key to newspapers’ success,” he said, “will be making bold moves entirely into the digital realm, and building business models that allow them to thrive online.”