be honest - can aspiring journalists find jobs in beijing?

[bottledpoetry]

Since studying abroad last year in Beijing, I've been completely determined to go back - literally all I think about is reimmersing myself in the language and culture. I'm graduating with journalism and international studies double majors, then I'm planning to go to beijing.

I've looking around, and to be honest, I'm beginning to find the opportunities in journalism, freelance writing, lacking, esp. for an entry leveler out of college. And as a Chinese American woman, checking out expat forums (particularly the thatsbj.com forums), I'm seeing alot of sexism going on against Chinesewoman. (This is really not meant to offend), but alot of expat men seem to have little respect for Chinese women (atleast on these forums), and Chinese men are still uneasy with Chinese women in a work environment. I am Asian American and I share the same face as these women. Hearing these opinions are really making me concerned.

So really, two questions: 1. Is a journalism job pretty much impossible to find in China? and 2. for those who know - is it harder finding a job, or gaining respect as an Asian American woman in Beijing?

I really appreciate the help And this post is not meant to be offensive, it's just me addressing my concerns - so I hope I don't anger anyone. Thanks for the help!

[Prodigal Son]

I have a handful of friends in Shanghai who work in journalism with magazines pitched to foreigners, that kind of writing might be your best bet if you're interested in writing in english. Finding a job like this in Shanghai is certainly possible, I'm not sure what this field is like in Beijing though.

If thatsbj.com is anything like SmartShanghai.com I know what you mean about the general intelligence level of the discussion being awful. I'm not a 50 year old expat either, I'm a 25 year old musician.

[roddy]

I'd say start by pitching ideas to the expat magazines - Beijing's three most credible would be timeout, cityweekend and thatsbj. There are also Chinese-run English language publications - China Daily, Beijing Today. Don't arrive with an empty pocket and expect to be in full-time work by next Tuesday, but there are certainly opportunities to get your foot in the door. You also see editor / subeditor / english polishing roles coming up at the above publications fairly regularly.

As Prodigal Son says, it's entirely possible. You might also look at getting in touch with overseas newspapers and finding out if they have any assistant-type roles working with their correspondents here.

[cdn_in_bj]

Yes, some of the expat forums can give a bad impression but they don't show the whole picture. That said, you may very well end up meeting people like that while you are here. In which case, it's best to avoid them and move on. I'm sure you won't have problems meeting and making good friends with like-minded foreigners and locals.

In answer to your questions,

1. I can't comment specifically on your field, but how good is your written Chinese? If you're only looking for jobs with English publications, then your options are more limited. Also, in general salaries here are much lower compared to western countries so you may want to take this into consideration (but on the other hand, the cost of living is lower too). I realize that you may be more concerned with the experience, and if that is the case by all means go for it.

2. The fact that you are ethnically Chinese, means that you will be treated differently from the non-Chinese foreigners. In otherwords, strangers will treat you as a local. This can have its own set of advantages as well as disadvantages. Regarding employment opportunities for women/discrimination against women in the workplace, I have not observed this myself. In fact in some respects it seems that women here have more/better opportunities compared to back home. Of course the attitudes of your employer and fellow employees will play a big part in this.

[gato]

How about with one of the HK English language papers like South China Morning Post? Or working as a stringer for the New York Times or Washington Post? It certainly won't be easy, though.

[bottledpoetry]

Hey guys,

First of all, its SUCH a relief to know expats generally don’t have that disrespectful mentality. I was beginning to get worried there…

Progidal Son – I’ll think about checking out Shanghai too. I’m actually native shanghainese, but chose to go to Beijing to learn language because in the city it would be too easy to slide by on my dialect (which I’m actually more fluent in than in Mandarin). You must be having an interesting time. Starving writers, artists and musicians unite, whoot!

Roddy and CDN- My written Chinese is not that great at this point, so I’m aiming more towards expat publications, until I get a better grasp anyway. Now that I think about, the treatment based on appearance is really true – I’ve been in Beijing before and really felt picked apart for being tan and curvy. A woman even grabbed my tummy XD haha. Er. Roddy – never thought about that, I’ll check it out.

Gato, About the HK English language papers – I’m assuming I have to know some Cantonese for those positions? Maybe after I learn mandarin first!

All of you mentioned assisting foreign correspondents (is that what a stringer is?), I’m wondering if anyone knows the first step in the process? Just contact the US office? Thanks for the advice and taking the time to reply to my post, I was a bit nervous about posting cuz some posts get completely torn apart. It’s good to know there are people out

[gato]

A stringer is like a contract reporter.

You can try contacting Philip Pan or Maureen Fan of the Washington Post.

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/staff/email/Philip+P.+Pan/

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/staff/email/maureen+fan/

Or Joseph Kahn, Keith Bradsher, or Howard French of the New York Times.

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/k/joseph_kahn/index.html?s=oldest&

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/keith_bradsher/index.html

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/f/howard_w_french_french/index.html

Go ahead and try all of them because they probably get lots of emails and it may be hard to get a response.

[flameproof]

Not to bring your dream to an early end before it starts: under no circumstances write "Journalist" on your visa application.

You don't have to lie either. The beloved Nuri Vittachi always writes "Typist", which is not wrong for a writer.

[adrianlondon]

A friend of a friend is an ABC (Australian in this case) and she came to Beijing, speaking hardly any Mandarin (but with a good career in journalism) and is now working for CCTV and having a ball.

So - it is possible.

[cdn_in_bj]

Now that I think about, the treatment based on appearance is really true – I’ve been in Beijing before and really felt picked apart for being tan and curvy. A woman even grabbed my tummy XD haha.

That's awesome!

That reminds me, if you do end up working in a local company, you may notice your coworkers making comments that would not be considered appropriate for an office environment in the west. And it works both ways, for men and for women too. If you're overweight, underweight, single, losing your hair, going gray, have a big butt, overdue for a haircut, picky about your diet, etc. they will remind you of that. It's the culture here so just laugh along and get used to it.

[bottledpoetry]

CDN – greeeat. In addition to seeing my butt in the mirror every day, other people will point at it! Haha, just kidding – I think I can handle it, that is until someone spots my first wrinkle or something. Then I’m going back to america for some botox JK!!

Flameproof and AdrianLondon thanks for the advice – definitely will remember those tidbits

Gato – thanks for the contacts *___*!! Bugging mode: on

[bottledpoetry]

Update 7/5/2008:

So this is like the first thing I ever posted on Chinese-forums.com, so probably no one is reading

I just wanted to say things are working out! In addition to getting paid to write for a US publication, I've been lucky enough to receive a research fellowship that will cover my costs for Beijing 2008. In two weeks, I plan to leave for Beijing from California and I have to say thank you again for the suggestions here. I'm working on an assistant reportship (? maybe that's just a fancy title for myself ) by pitching to numerous publications, and I'm glad to say I have a few interviews lined up! Thanks for your suggestions here--they really helped and paid off for me.

[cdn_in_bj]

Glad to hear things are working out! I think you'll like it here, as long as you can handle the heat.

Weren't you in Shanghai for a bit? I thought I remember reading some posts to that effect...

[bottledpoetry]

CDN, I was in Shanghai for three months doing my senior thesis (AIDS stigma in China). It was a grand time, and I'm still a bit in love with the city. I really hope Beijing is just as awesome Thanks!

[simonlaing]

Hi Poetry,

I came late to this conversation. But I wanted to tell you a couple of things for when the fellowship ends. (I had a good Chinese friend was a journalist for a big newspaper in Nanjing)

Some of this doesn't concern you since you are employed by a foreign paper. A lot newspapers have AD articles. You are asked to write about a company or new product. Usually you have to make it positive. The company then pays either you or the paper directly depending how positive it was. In nanjing full time journalists make 1500-2800 a month, fairly low and often need kick backs to make up the gap in salary. It is a quid pro quo, most people do it and know about it . (This happens in the US as well, but it is less obvious I think) . So you know what the packet of money in your mail box is related to.

Expat magazines often have this too, so be ready for it. (Plus being a journalist is tiring)

have fun,

Simon:)

[bottledpoetry]

Hi Simon,

Thanks for the tip. I'm use to getting free stuff in the mail from grateful companies, but it's sobering news to think that good write ups will be directly related to my paycheck. I have a business writing background, but in China, I really want to concentrate on doing public health (particularly AIDS and migrant healthcare) stories, which is hard to write about and get paid for even in the US. Can you give me some advice on what sort of publications or what I can do to start that? I'm not sure if I would be able to do that with China Daily or entertainment rags like That's. I'd really the advice, actually Thanks again!