Career Day draws 400 journalists, communicators

Lines were long to talk with 15 recruiters at the 2nd annual National Press Club Career Day on Friday.

About 400 people attended the event, including students who traveled from Norfolk State University and elsewhere in Virginia, New Jersey, and other states, as well as dozens of seasoned journalists, many of whom formerly worked at the Voice of America.

“We had to limit registration to 400 attendees,” says Ed Kelley, president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, the Club’s nonprofit affililiate that co-hosted the event. “That’s up from 300 who attended last year, likely because of these uncertain times for journalism. Seeing this turnout, and looking at the battles we are all facing, makes it clear that it is incumbent on the Club and the Institute to stay resolute in continuing to support quality journalism that the world expects.”

In addition to recruiting tables for media organizations -- including The Associated Press, Politico, C-SPAN, American City Business Journals – in the ballroom, there were training and workshop sessions offered throughout the day.

One panel featured newsroom hiring managers another focused on how to build a brand as a reporter or media professional. Other sessions offered cover letter tips, resume reviews and job-search strategies.

The event centered on journalists and communicators navigating the uncertainty of layoffs, buyouts, and career transitions, Club President Mike Balsamo wrote in a LinkedIn post over the weekend.

“The conversations were honest and emotional — and full of the kind of support this moment demands,” Balsamo wrote. “This wasn’t just about job leads. It was about community, solidarity, and showing up for one another.”

More than 200 journalists recently laid off from VOA, Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe attended Career Day. The new Press Freedom Center sponsored their entry as a service.

Former VOA reporter Leah Seyoum, who was the digital producer for the Africa division, said she found useful tips in the workshops on cover letters and brand building as well as the panel on what newsroom hiring managers are looking for in applicants.

But it was the job-search strategies session that proved the most useful.

“I learned that I can join Job Search Clubs on LinkedIn to find a community of other job seekers,” Seyoum said. “I’m going to jump on that to help set goals and find a community.”

Recruiters said they met talented journalists, even if they weren’t the right fit for their openings.   

“So many of the people we talked to were formerly Voice of America reporters who are incredibly qualified,” said Mitch Ryals, managing editor of the Washington City Paper, who is looking to fill a local political reporter position for the publication’s “Loose Lips” section.

“One person speaks nine languages, and another has 19 years of international reporting experience,” Ryals said. “These people are clearly overqualified for our position, and I just hope they find a job that will embrace their skills and talents.”

Washington City Paper arts editor Sarah Marloff added that it was “a really emotional day.”

“Meeting people like those reporters was humbling,” Marloff said. “This is an incredibly hard, stressful, underpaid profession, and this is a reminder how lucky I am to have a secure job. Of course, job security these days is relative.”

Displaced journalists realizing they are not alone was perhaps the biggest benefit of Career Day, said Mitch Harle, NPCJI development manager.

“I heard from so many of the attendees that they are most grateful for the support of the journalism community,” Harle said. “While this is a scary, stressful time, I think a silver lining is that we are all coming together to support each other.”

The Club is trying to help journalists during “tumultuous times” for the profession, said Balsamo, who is U.S. law enforcement editor at the Associated Press.

“But the hunger for accurate, insightful storytelling has never been greater,” Balsamo said in an interview. “People are searching for trusted voices who can illuminate issues that matter — locally, nationally, and globally. In joining us today, attendees took a step toward embracing those possibilities.”