Q: I'm aspiring to be a government reporter at the state level or in DC, if such an opportunity were to arise. I have a BA in journalism but I was thinking of getting a second BA while I continued working in political science. Do you think a degree in poli sci would be a significant factor for an employer looking for a government or poltical reporter?
Thanks,
Chris
A: I see that you're already a reporter at a daily. That helps. If you get embroiled in a master's program, you'll lose your mobility just at a time when you're looking to move. I would nudge my daily work as far as I could into government and politics, keep looking for a job elsewhere and save grad school for when you've landed where you can stay for a few years. With any luck, that newspaper will have a tuition reimbursement program.
