Fun but dying industry - Avis employé Graphic Designer The Daily Progress

Good people on hand at the Progress, providing solid coverage of both the rapidly growing Charlottesville area and the University of Virginia community.

Many of the problems confronting daily newspapers today as the shift continues from print to online media; the paper has bolstered its online presence, but still is trying to find its niche. The 2012 sale from Media General to Berkshire Hathaway hasn't had an appreciable editorial effect. As is the case at most newspapers, pay is relatively low.

The reporting staff may be small, but it's a pretty tight unit where everyone has your back. If you're trying to get your foot in the door at a newspaper that will throw plenty of work - a.k.a. experience - your way, this is the place.

The editorial staff views the paper as the paper of record, which means a lot of process coverage simply for the fact that the meeting is happening. It also means a ton of work. And just as you're writing a story, bam!, a ton of briefs are emailed your way to edit and make phone calls on. I hated having to stop everything to make time for those darned briefs. And then there's work on the holidays - sure, any small paper has this, but with such a small staff you're going to get hit with working several holidays in a row.