From business journalism to the foreign service

TALKING BIZ NEWS EXCLUSIVE

Sarah Talalay has traded in her journalism notebook for a passport.

The sports business reporter for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel resigned from her job earlier this year to become a foreign service officer with the State Department. This summer, she will begin her first overseas posting in Chennai, India.

Talalay was a newspaper reporter for 21 years at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Daily News and North Jersey Herald & News.

From September 1999 to January 2011, she was the sports business writer at the Sun-Sentinel. She became a foreign service officer, working for the U.S. Department of State, in February.

Talalay talked by e-mail with Talking Biz News about changing careers. What follows is an edited transcript.

How did you get into business journalism?

By accident. After a decade as a news reporter, I was looking for a new, challenging beat. I had always enjoyed reading the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s sports business coverage, so when the job came open in 1999, I applied for the position, even though I had no business or sports reporting experience. Luckily, the paper gave me a shot at the job. And it was the best job I ever had in journalism, by far.

What did you like about it?

I loved being able to explain the complex business and financial issues behind sports in an entertaining and meaningful way to a general newspaper audience. It’s easy to ignore sports business stories or make the material dull, but I took that as a real challenge to explain why readers should care.

I also loved being able to write stories that truly did make people think about sports off the field or court. And sports business stories could run nearly anywhere in the paper, from Business to Sports to 1A.

If I had to start my newspaper career over, I might pursue business journalism – rather than news writing – because it helps you focus complex issues and if you can cover business, you can cover just about anything.

Why did you decide to leave business reporting?

The flip answer would be business reporting decided to leave me. Seriously, the newspaper industry’s struggles have been tough. Tremendously talented people are still working really hard to do great journalism every day, but in a difficult environment.

With continued layoffs, dwindling resources and greater demands, it became increasingly difficult to do the kind of business reporting that made me proud. Across the industry, at a time when business reporting should be particularly valued — given the recession, foreclosures, unemployment and changes in personal finance habits — business sections are shrinking or being folded.

In several instances, the focus has turned from weighty business issues to lighter, consumer business news. Consumer business news should be a component of business coverage, not the main focus.

I did not leave business reporting because I had grown tired of it or disliked it. I was frustrated with the newspaper industry’s struggles and sought a new career opportunity that would be as stimulating, challenging and interesting as journalism.

What will you miss about covering business topics?

I will miss the business in general. There is nothing quite like journalism – the challenges, demands, and overall excitement of reporting and writing interesting stories that are read by an audience of thousands.

What did you learn while covering business that will help you in government service?

I learned how to ask better questions to elicit more interesting and thoughtful answers. I learned how to break down complex topics to make them more understandable.

How are the two jobs alike?

Both jobs require reporting and the ability to write simply and clearly. As a foreign service officer, I will spend some time doing consular work — processing visas and assisting U.S. citizens who need help overseas — so being able to communicate well is key.

Foreign service officers are required to report on issues abroad. Later in my career, I will be working in the area of public diplomacy, which will include assisting the media overseas. I will be arranging interviews and answering questions, so my journalism experience will be invaluable.

Would you ever consider going back to journalism?

Yes. I know I will miss writing, but joining the foreign service was such a unique opportunity, I couldn’t pass it up.

Do you see yourself interacting with the business media in whatever country you’re assigned to — if they have business media?

Yes, absolutely. There are foreign service officers who specialize in economic issues and presidential and congressional trips overseas routinely focus on business opportunities, such as President Obama’s current trip to South America. Business media will no doubt have interest in those visits as well as in overall relations between their country and the United States.