Both Writing and Teaching- Paul Moses

Although Paul Moses loves teaching, he said that if he had only worked in academia he would have missed much of the world experience and public immersion that 23 years in journalism provided him.

I met Paul Moses when I presented a paper at the 2010 Brooklyn College Graduate English Conference, "Deconstructing the Gods: Towards a Post-Religious Criticism."  Serving as respondent for my panel, Moses commented on my research as being applicable for journalists.  I soon contacted him for career guidance, finding him to be another writer who entertained both the idea of academia and of journalism.

Moses began writing for a local paper simply to make some money while studying for his Masters of Fine Arts at the University of Massachusetts.  But he soon loved the job enough to make journalism his career of choice.

As a journalist, Moses worked both as a reporter and editor, specializing in religion and New York City government and working for presses such as Newsday's New York City paper and The Associated Press.  He is now a professor at Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

Along with teaching, Moses still continues his writing.  He published his first book, The Saint and the Sultan: the Crusades, Islam and Francis of Assisi's Mission of Peace, in 2009 and is currently working on a second book.

Moses advised that a love of people, a desire to constantly discover and learn, and a passion for writing are key to enjoying and excelling in journalism.

His advice to me was three-fold.  First, start writing both by blogging and freelancing.  This could provide both clips and a chance to try out journalism.  Second, as a current NYU student, take advantage of opportunities to attend NYU journalism events open to those outside the department.  Third, highly consider a graduate degree in journalism.

Moses said a graduate journalism degree is often the best way to fast track a career.  Though he does not always advise a graduate program for students who have both an undergraduate journalism degree and a wealth of experience, craft, and connections, Moses highly advises a graduate program for those without a journalism background.

Moses noted that in the New York area alone, Columbia, CUNY, and NYU all have highly regarded graduate programs.  He stated that these programs provide practical skills, connections, and much experience in a short amount of time.

For Moses, both writing and teaching found a place in his professional life.  He admitted that in some ways, nothing beats the lifestyle of a professor who truly loves academia.  However, he said the lifestyle and public connection of journalism also have great benefits which strengthened both his writing and his teaching.  Either career has advantages and difficulties but Moses wouldn't personally trade his years of full time journalism.  And for the beginning journalist, Moses said the solid practices and connections formed through a graduate journalism program provide an invaluable foundation for navigating the current job market and industry transformations.