Even though the coronavirus pandemic was made official nearly three years ago, it’s held us in its clutches ever since. Beyond the ongoing health crisis, the social, economic, and political impacts of the pandemic and everything that’s followed have provided many twists and turns, and recovery could take years.

The media industry was hit particularly hard as the decline in ad revenues led to a tidal wave of layoffs and furloughs – a trend we’ve consistently covered in our annual media news recaps. It’s been a huge blow to an industry that already lost nearly half of its employees from 2008 to 2018.

The 2008 record of 14,265 newsroom job cuts was blown out of the water in 2020, which saw 16,160 job cuts across broadcast, print, and digital media. That’s a nearly 200% increase compared to 2019, according to a study from the global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The study reported 30,711 layoffs across the entire media sector, which includes film/TV production and advertising.

To put it simply, layoffs in the media industry over the course of the crisis are staggering and a potential recession could mean even more cuts to newsroom staffs.

Some good news? Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that women gained 155,000 jobs in September 2022 and have now recovered the net job losses they experienced in 2020.

If you’re looking for resources to help you begin, switch to, or succeed in a career in media, these resources can help.

How Can You Help?

The most important support system for women is other women. There’s nothing more uplifting than lifting up your own. Sian Beilock, president of Barnard College and a cognitive scientist, has advice for how women can overcome hurdles as they head back to work.

Tap into your network, even if it’s still virtual

In an interview with USA Today, Beilock said that networking remains an important way to find a job or new career — and it may be easier to connect now that socializing is done almost entirely online. She suggests setting goals, like reaching out to one person a week. “What you’ll find is that those conversations are enjoyable…and lead to ideas and opportunities that you wouldn’t have imagined.”

“I would urge women who are looking to reenter the workforce to really flex those connections and know that there are new platforms,” Beilock says.

Remember what you bring to the table

Women tend to have their own internal biases to overcome before exploring their options. In other words, they need to get out of their own way. Identify what makes you ideal for any position you’re pursuing, and then go for it!

“We have this tendency for that voice in our head to be so disparaging,” Beilock says. “And certainly if you are part of a group that has been stereotyped, that narrative can be really loud in your head. And so the question is, how do you change it? How do you think about why you should be at the table?”

#EmbraceEquity

To celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, support and empower women in the workplace by striving to “challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion.”

The world is blessed🙏🏽 Kim Burke's creative talent, an active participant of #typography & #friendship communities like #procreate #womenoftype @typismcommunity #womenofillustration #womenoffaith Share your own #IWD2023 #EmbraceEquity #IWDtypism creation 👉🏽https://t.co/4l32k66ZZW pic.twitter.com/1XqgyklvBZ

— Women's Day (@womensday) February 23, 2023

Career Resources for Women in the Media

Where are women in the media to turn to for help when they start looking for a new position? Here are a few great sites and newsletters we recommend:

1. Journalism Jobs and a Photo of My Dog

Mandy Hofmockel’s newsletter is one of our favorite media industry newsletters. The weekly email organizes job posts by location and includes industry reads, remote job listings, internships, and freelance opportunities. Plus, there are photos of Hofmockel’s adorable pup, Maggie, so what’s not to like? Hofmockel is currently on maternity leave but she still makes sure to share useful updates with subscribers when needed.

2. International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF)

The IWMF — a blog we recently recognized — “provides safety training, byline opportunities, and emergency support tailored to female journalists and photographers around the world.” Available resources include webinars, research, fellowships, and more.

3. Mogul

This community and job board is developed specifically for millennial women. Employers are vetted and required to be supportive of women. They must also describe how they support women and diversity on their profiles and within their job posts. The site also provides free educational resources to women and minorities.

4. Journalist’s Toolbox

This comprehensive list of career resources for journalists is one to save. In addition to links to job boards, the page includes links to tools and recent job-related articles.

5. Women’s Leadership Blogs

This edition of our Blog Profiles series lists seven blogs you need to bookmark. These job resources for women offer advice on how to switch careers, get a promotion, confront a coworker or manager, or even quit a job that isn’t right for you.

6. Poynter | The Cohort Archive

This is Poynter’s newsletter for “women kicking ass in digital media and journalism.” Although it stopped publishing in December 2022, the archive is full of posts that are still useful for women in the media. Past posts covered how to overcome empathy exhaustion, what makes a strong application, and FAQs about layoffs.
     *Bonus: Poynter also has a media jobs board.*

7. Cision Jobs Board

Whether you are looking for the best journalism, editorial, or PR positions, we can help you find that perfect match.

Conclusion

For many women, their position in the workplace has taken a serious detour over the past few years. The road to regaining that position will take extra time and plenty of effort. With the right mindsets and support systems, women are returning to the workforce as if they never left.

Email Address

Subscribe

Crystal Turner is a Manager in Customer Content Services at PR Newswire. When not burning the midnight oil working, she reads everything voraciously, walks often, and tries to travel everywhere her mind can imagine. Connect with her on LinkedIn.