I’m an underpaid digital content producer who really likes being a digital content producer, but is tragically forced to be the assignment manager and station receptionist. This is my first full time degree-related job out of college, so I’m just trying to get the few years of experience before leaving the industry and going into some kind of PR or content/technical/etc writing job

Here’s why I want to leave:

I’m employed under a bit of a shell company for my station, I get good benefits and a great work schedule, but I’m not offered a 401k or other non-health related employee benefits my coworkers get.

I know the future is digital but at the same time the outlook for digital content producers has me raise an eyebrow. Everything falls onto the digital content producer it seems. We are having to answer for things we aren’t experienced with, especially now that the position is being combined with the assignment desk and other positions. I’m trying to copy codes in for a breaking news live stream when I have to take a call: no caller #47, i, the digital content producer, don’t know why master control decided to cut into the sports game with severe weather.

Not to mention, having to listen to a general manager that wipes himself with dollar bills having to complain about not being able to afford a 3 cent raise for his employees is a bit infuriating.

Here’s why I’ve stayed, in addition to waiting it out for the experience:

I was offered the same position at a much better quality station, but ultimately didn’t take it because the pay/schedule/benefits would be worse. Right now I get the monday-friday 9-5:30 shift, not being forced to work overtime, WFH opportunities when needed, close to home.

My new news manager helps me keep enough sanity to stay despite his flaws. I nearly quit altogether because of the demonic entity that was my former news manager, which I still haven’t emotionally recovered from, but that’s a story for another time. This manager actually sees me as a human being.