Thanks for the kind words. I recently read a book by the anthropologist David Graeber called Bullshit Jobs that is particularly relevant to the issue. He points out a perverse contradiction: jobs with greater social value and sense of fulfillment for the job-holder are often compensated much less, such as teachers and social workers. There’s a non-financial payment in the form of satisfaction, which leads more people to pursue a career in those fields.

Journalism is one of the few jobs from which you can derive meaning and a salary, and there’s this sick belief in our society that if you like your job you shouldn’t get paid much for it or that you should be willing to do it for free.

I try hard not to be bitter about my own disadvantages, but it was difficult for me to even work at the Texan while I was in school, much less take an unpaid internship. I had an afterschool job working tech support at the Dobie Mall until I lost it because I showed up late too many times. I would get stuck waiting for edits on my story.

I couldn’t even apply to work as a senior reporter until summer term because I just couldn’t fit it in my schedule along with work, full-time classes, activism and some semblance of a social life.

After I graduated, I did a series of $7.50/hr service industry jobs and pedicabbed while freelancing for the Austin Chronicle all the while racking up interest on my loans, which I kept putting in forbearance.

At the end of the day though, I think living like an average Joe is good for your writing. It gives you perspective. Even if there’s no money in it, I’m going to keep doing journalism. What else am I going to do? A fish gotta swim.