Idea No. 17 for keeping AAJA extraordinary:

I believe AAJA needs to be a year-round hiring resource for those actively looking for new jobs. Journalists whose careers are in transition need more than a heads-up about job openings; they also need encouragement, advice on highlighting their qualifications, and the enthusiastic support of the worldwide AAJA family.

Master news recruiter Joe Grimm used to hand out ribbons people could stick to their convention name tags that said: “Hire me!” Unfortunately, many people who need jobs can’t afford to come to our national convention, let alone wait until summertime to start their job search. (Although some limited financial aid is available.)

What does AAJA get out of it? Former NABJ presidential candidate Angelo B. Henderson once proposed a Job Match program that would work directly with hiring managers to help them woo candidates with the most in-demand skills: digital, video editing, social media, blogging and business reporting. What should it look like? And why can’t we do something like that, too?