Most of my many questions about the industry have been answered in past columns of yours, but I have one now that I haven't seen (at least not in the time I've been reading it).
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I'm about to start covering sports part-time for the local daily, which is a great relief to me, as I've spent the summer burning through my savings and worrying about my abilities declining due to the time off. I interviewed for another position with the paper a couple months back. I didn't get that job, but I had a good interview with the sports editor, which led to the offer. I'm happy enough to be writing, even though I need a second job to supplement my income.
The problem is that there's another paper in the area -- something of a rival, though not a direct competitor -- that is now hiring a sports reporter full time. I haven't seen all that many sports reporter positions becoming available and am worried that if I don't go after this one, it may be months (years?) before another one opens in the area.
If I were to apply for and get the other job, would it be bad form to take off so soon, even with a part-time position?
In a Dilemma
No one is happy to lose a person soon after hiring them, but your paper does not stand to lose much, and you have a lot to gain.
The paper spent no money to relocate you, and the editors should understand why someone would leave a part-time job for a full-time one, even if it happens so quickly.
Be up-front with your editors about this. I would not tell them in advance about the interview -- some can get vindictive -- but if you get an offer, I would show your editors the courtesy of informing them before you make a decision. This gives them the opportunity to keep you, perhaps with a full-time position. But do this carefully, as you do not want to come across as someone who is just playing one paper off against the other.
Coming Tuesday: She has had a great internship already and is in a position to graduate early. She doesn't really want to, but wonders whether it might help her career.
