Big market rookies

[<Rocky>]

There's a disturbing trend at my station. They are hiring kids with little or no experience and making them photographers. We are talking big market here. A market where photographers work there butts off for years and years to finally get to.
Is this happening in your market? How do you handle it when they want YOU to teach them? I don't hold any of the newbies personally responsible for cheapening our profession. That blame lies more with the station hiring them. And perhaps some blame goes to those in our profession who are lazy and don't care what the video looks like. Why pay for experience when it looks just like rookie vid.
I love to share ideas and learn from my fellow photogs. But I am not here to train rookies to take away good jobs from hard working, talented photogs. Then again, does management even care if their video is the right color? The position is obviously not respected.

The bottom line is money. It's cheaper for the station to hire rookies.
So do I teach them? Even though they are an insult to all of us who have paid dues?

[Icarus112277]

Only if they want to learn.

[Sentinel94]

I wouldn't be a complete jerk to them. It's not their fault that management hired them and basically threw them to the wolves. They got a lucky break. I, personally, would lend a hand to them just like I would with others with experience. However, I would make it known to them that there isn't much room for error and that they need to bust hump to keep their jobs. Let them know that they won't always get that helping hand, that you have to do your job, not babysit them all of the time. Remember when you were a rookie as well, and go from there.

[<Market12>]

I would have to say that if they do not have the skills to shoot and edit, there should be no place for them. It is not a McDonalds kind of job. But myself being only 24 and growing up in Seattle and wanting to stay gives me a challenge road ahead. I feel that I could do the job as a "news" photog. My background is 6 years in production photography and editing. I have even produced a number of shows. But that is not what I want to do. I love the fast pace style of shooting and editing that most of you do everyday. I have interned at KIRO (talk about spot news) many years ago and still do some summer freelance work for them. I know for a fact that I would do well here because I have seen what it takes. I know that I, as well as you, always have something to learn! I have had the chance to work with some of the best Northwest photographers, and they know where I am at in life. They have said to me that I "must climb the latter and swim the river from the start". I agree for starting from the start (e.g. small market), you learn to avoid the mistakes and grow to do things by instinct by the time you even get close to a 12 market. Overall, everyone has to have a chance, but not with a camera that cost more then a house on there shoulder in a high market. As much as I want to start my news career here in Seattle, I know that I must to swim the river with the little fish and then in time, will I be big. That is the best way. Start small, and then grow. So, rookies in a small market you ask? Give them a brake, but do not just give it to them all. Run them to the ground. See what they are made of. See if they can make it in a large market. That is what I would do. That is me.

[<shutter-boy>]

our station is going the route of hiring part-timers. when a full time photog leaves instead of hiring someone full time they will just hire two part timers. saving money i guess.

[<Rocky>]

I don't know if I would call it a "lucky break". They may be in a big market, but they are not respected. They are paid a small market wage in an expensive city. They make rookie mistakes and are not forgiven. Reporters complain and do not want to work with them. Where will they go from here? Who will give them a reference? Or do they stay in this market forever and make less money even after they do finally have the experience.

My big concern is if I teach these guys and they become halfway competent, management will continue to hire rookies for cheap. Eventually phasing out experienced photogs who currently make a heck of a lot more. This is lowering the pay scale for all of us.

I'm too nice of a person to tell someone who wants to learn that I will not help. But it eats me up inside.
:confused:

[ewink]

Maybe the problem isn't with the rookies, but with you and your attitude towards them, Rocky.

'They are not respected.'

Then why the hell should they care about what color their video looks like.

You know, Rocky, sorry to start something with you, but in my opinion, if all the photogs at your station have your attitude, no wonder management wants to phase you out...

[<NYshooter>]

I've also seen more and more kid hires fresh out of college. There's also a new trend in hiring temp, freelance, part time and non-union workers, which are cheaper than having to pay full time wages, benefits and overtime.

For the young, cheap hire that wants to learn, fine. Those that care and love the biz will catch on quickly and stay. But many lose to inexperience, poor shooting, carelessness with the gear, lack of empathy and basic media law knowledge, unreliability, reckless driving and even stealing and/or misusing gear.

And after 6 months, still more will ask, "is this all the $$$ I want to make per year?" And they'll quit. So don't worry. The new hire pool will thin out itself.

[<Rocky>]

No offense, Ewink, but you are working in Springfield, MO. What if you decide it's time to goto a large market, but that market does not want to hire someone with experience because they will have to pay you more?
I didn't realise I came across as having a bad attitude. I can tell you that isn't the case at all. Gotta run!

[<Rocky>]

Make that Springfield, IL.

[Sentinel94]

....it;s not just "Big" markets that have that happen ....I was hired as vacation relief, with no experience. I knew that I needed to bust hump and prove I could do the job. After several years in the biz, I have. Grit and determination got me where I am now. Yes, they make rookie mistakes, but how many of us are perfect? I know I'm not, and constantly learn new things and techniques. I knew a guy with 40 years experience that could screw up a drink of water. He just DIDN'T CARE ANYMORE. That's probably why managers try to get younger, they can be molded and may actually care about their jobs and what the video looks like.
I know where the hard feelings come from, but again, your anger I believe is misdirected. Management is the one who signs the rookies' checks. Ultimately, the rookies will either get better and earn your respect, or wash out and try something else.

[Sentinel94]

oops, forgot to add this.

Sounds to me that you feel a little threatened, make that a lot threatened. I wouldn't worry about the rookies, you do your job to the best of your abilities and everything will work out. Let the rookies make their mistakes. Again, I know what you are thinking, so I'm not in total disagreement. However, as a former rookie that had no respect from his co-workers, I have to stand up for them as well.