First of all, I've talked with aspiring writers about the shrinking journalist market, the new emphasis on newspaper reporting, the changes that are happening. I've posted advice to the jobseekers about being more specific about avenues and genres. I've shared news about long-established newspapers that are being bought up and therefore being absorbed or else closing down.

What I haven't shared is advice from a friend and colleague who was a news producer and used to work at one of the major network television stations. During each telephone conversation, he would tell me his long-standing job was not as secure as it may appear. Indeed, the station went from being one of the major networks to an independent, although his position title never changed. But his job duties did. And then the day came that I made the usual twice-a-year call and got his voice message. He'd left the station. His previous words came back to me. The position was not guaranteed.

The news from June 8 held a similar revelation. Knight-Ridder Publications is a well-established newspaper of outstanding repute. Many newspapers across the nation were part of its stable. Yet the big name paper was recently sold to McClatchy. That was less than two months ago. McKlatchy has now sold 11 of the 12 Knight-Ridder properties, five announced in the news from June 8.

While reading a recent article, the writer revealed a part of himself also worth sharing with the journalism interns. Although the author is an established journalist, his writing is his part-time job. His day job is inaa restaurant. Necessity breeds doing things to survive. He has chosen to work in a restaurant (capacity unknown) in order to pay his bills. Meanwhile, he writes. He manages his time in order to do so. He delivers his content. He has some enjoyment on two fronts -- paid bills and writing.

My advice to aspiring journalists begins with become familiar with what your true interests are. Once focused, use those interests as areas where you can specialize your writing for a niche market. Become creative in how you approach your market and your subject. Be willing to take a day-time job while you're getting yourself established. That day-time job will provide something invaluable, worth gold. It's called experience. Not just work experience. Experience in dealing with people, customers, situations, knowledge and sophistication, tools and equipment, presentation methods.

But don't give up on your aspirations for writing. Don't put them in the back part of a drawer. Just handle the priorities and keep plugging away at the ultimate goal. Keep plugging away.

That brings me to the other news item that caught my attention. One of my favorite journalists and the person who was one of my models for my two-year radio program is Charlie Rose. The other news item said Charlie suffered an ailment in March that has sidelined him for more than a month. I became acutely aware of the condition on April 23. While WNET/Ch. 13 could have run re-runs of any of his stellar programs, what they did was air current programming with guest hosts.

Charlie had heart valve surgery. Charlie took a break and recovered. The news item reports he's watched a few of the guest hosted programs and suffered no anxiety about any of those people trying to take his job. The important thing is, he's returning to his desk on Monday. He's still plugging away.

Some people don't have the benefit of health insurance that allows the luxury of recouperating and funds for hospital and physician care. And they are surrounded by people who simply do not comprehend the gravity of the malady. There are duties that need to be fulfilled and dollars to be earned in order to pay the old bills as well as the new ones. What that means is keep plugging away. Albeit, the plugging may be a little slower than before, but no progress can be made if one remains inert in every way.

So, young writing interns, keep plugging away at your career. You may not be able to be a shooting star and rocket into stellar capacity. However, it is quie surprising how much progress can be made with just one step consistently made in the direction of the star you're shooting for.

Just keep your eyes open for the opportunity openings and keep plugging away.