Info(graphic) about Erin Loxam

Career directions

 

…as per my friends and family.

What should I do?

I am currently working through the book “what colour is your parachute”.

Yes, I’ve decided I’m not just looking for a job but a career direction.

One of the exercises is to find out some skills and knowledges and combine it all into a job. I have written them below. I’m supposed to put this list to friends, family, readers(?) and see what jobs come to mind in connection with those areas. Take wild guesses! Use as many of the terms as you want!

If there is one thing I have learned about job hunting, it’s that you can’t do it alone. So if you happen to read this, whether you know me or not, I’d appreciate your thoughts.

Green technology

Research

Storytelling

Initiating and leading

Planning

Logistics

Compiling

Online writing and analytics

Innovating

Spatial awareness

So, what job title do these areas make you think of?

Finding the next step in a sea of unemployment

At the end of August, I quit my job. I had been with the news organization for nearly 5 years – starting as an intern, leaving as a manager. Along the way, I was, first and foremost, a reporter, but also a web editor, a writer and an anchor.

Now I just need one…

It was the job I went to school two years for. It was how I racked up over $20,000 in student debt. (This after a full economics degree as well.)

It is all I have known for the last 7 years.

So, what’s next?

The question often comes up, “What do you want to do?”

I hum. I haw. I come up with a list. But the list is all the things I don’t want to do.

I have no idea what I’m going to do next.

I do see a couple options:

1. Get another media job – This would be the easiest thing to do, as I have experience, education and a good track record. I thoroughly enjoy being a reporter but would need an organization focused at a market more my speed.

2. Get into PR/Communications – This is where a lot of media folks end up. I really like the idea of doing this for a company I’m passionate about, where I can use my social media expertise to bring awareness to campaigns and issues I believe in.

3. Get into _______________ (Market research? Polling?) – I have trouble defining this job but I figure organizations need people like me. As someone with an economics degree, I love research and data and trends. The reporter in me relishes investigating things. Having worked in an exceptionally fast paced environment, I’m quick on my feet and believe in accuracy in even the most hectic of situations. Despite the fact I’m a numbers nerd at heart, seven years of journalism has taught me how to write.

And so I search…

If there is one thing I could tell potential employers, it’s this:
They see on my resume all the social media accolades (awards, achievements, conference talks and my teaching gig at the Vancouver Film School) and want me to tweet for them. I like social media and appreciate it as a tool to spread a message. I regularly tweet, blog (mostly on The West Cider) and am one of many addicted to Facebook. However the idea of *just* doing social media bores me.

You see, I saw a need at my former job to get the organization on board social media. I took on a leadership role, I pushed for it, I developed a strategy and managed a team that implemented it. I am self taught. I did such a good job of learning it, I now pass that knowledge onto students.

My adeptness at social media should be less about hashtags and character counts and more about my ability to pick up whatever skills are needed and absolutely excel at them. In five years, I had five different positions while managing the online content. I want new challenges, I need them.

But if I stray from media or from communications, how do I ask an employer to take a chance on me? Or do I demand it?

In the meantime, I’m going to Iceland next week.

August, Australia and Dawson’s Creek

Here we are, just days away from August.

Summer starts every year.
And then you have a realization that it is running out.
That’s where I am now.

The season started with some ligaments gone awry. I hoped my ankle would be a quick fix but nearly six weeks later it’s still not close to soccer and volleyball-ready.

As you may have noticed below, we had a pretty spectacular trip to Newfoundland. And the travel doesn’t end there.

Every month of our relationship, Orgle and I have gone somewhere.

At the end of this month, we’re off to Australia.

323: Where have all the reporters gone?

iPhone 4 - November 19th

 

…to cover different mayoralty races.  Election night.

 

A photo, every day, all year. We’re into final weeks here with Andrea Woo.

 

321: The rioters

iPhone 4 - November 17th

Identify the rioters. Check out the VPD website. They may be your friend, but they may also be an idiot.

A photo, every day, all year. We’re into final weeks here with Andrea Woo.

297: It’s either this, or my dinner

 

 

(iPhone 4 - October 24th)

Not only are we photo throwdown competitors, we are Jack Webster Award nominees. (We will have to wait at least another year to become winners.)

 

I’m not the only one in this photo throwdown. See: Andreawoo.com

Jack Layton, a passionate man

Jack Layton - September 8, 2008

I was on the air when Jack Layton held his final press conference. As Layton walked to the mic, I said to my co-anchor, “he’s dying.” It reminded me of my own grandfather, a strong Albertan from the farm, the last time I saw him. He battled prostate cancer but finally succumbed to bone cancer.

As I watched Layton on screen, I had to turn away but his voice stayed with me. All was not well. I could barely continue reading the newscast afterward.

I believed Layton would be back and fight for Canadians. I wish he was able to do it in person, not in spirit.

My grandfather was lucky. He lived into his 90s. Jack Layton was 61.

“Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity.”  ~Jack Layton’s deathbed letter to Canadians

It’s all been said

I thought about giving my perspective of the Vancouver riots – watching the news from the comfort of my own home, listening to the radio and actively participating in the social media realm. But it’s all been said.

Blame whoever you want and there will be an ounce of truth to it. I’d like to put it all on those douchebags setting cars on fire and looting stores – but without a scenario to allow it, they will never be the only ones at fault. It’s a symptom of a bigger problem and I can only hope the stories of the heroes, like all those folks who got up early yesterday to take back the city with their brooms, are celebrated and those who rampaged are publicly shamed.

Here’s how I saw it, as it happened. Some of my tweets from Wednesday night.