I recently read an essay in my Advanced Reporting class concerning Machiavellian ethics and journalism. The essay claimed that most American journalists lived by a Machiavellian system of ethics (which is primarily an ‘ends justifies the means’, and ‘success is all that matters’ sort of ethics policy.) I have been thinking about how much of that applies to my current life-style.
So how does this lifestyle apply to being a student? One word: Competition. All of us journalism students are competing against each other, whether we like it or not. We compete for marks, for stories, for contacts, and eventually, for jobs. In the media market, jobs are terribly scarce, which makes competition remarkably high.
I don’t feel any ill will towards my fellow journalism students, in fact I enjoy most of their company thoroughly (Hi Jess(y/ica), Ron, Steph, Nic/k, Joel, Ashlee, Corrine, Alli, Michael, Daniel, Heather, etc, etc, etc), but I realize we are in some unspoken competition. Truth be told, most of us will never be journalists.
Most of us will probably choose another career or go back to school. A limited number of us will hop into the journalism field, and might even make a full career out of it.
Back to the main topic at hand though, Machivellian ethics as they relate to my student life. I always feel like I need to do more with my life. What if I am not doing enough?
I am progressing well through school, working two jobs, playing 4-5 nights a week of sports, keeping up to date on current affairs, keeping my twitter/facebook/linked-in/blog up-to-date, maintaining friendships (as well as most I guess), going on dates rarely, partying occasionally, volunteering for several different groups, and even managing time for reading.
Am I successful enough as a 23 year old student? If you read my resume you will notice; I’ve got my bachelor of art with honours, I’m working on a history degree, I’ve held down several long-term, and varied, jobs, I have done a great deal of volunteering, and I have several diverse skills that makes me (feel) unique.
In the end, I always ask if I am successful, and if I could be doing more. I don’t know the answer. Common sense suggests I may be doing too much, but what am I willing to sacrifice to become successful?
What does it even mean to be successful? I don’t know, but I’m gunning for it.