A former US journalist left the newsroom after decades of declining pay and rising stress, later building a more stable and higher paying career with the postal service, according to a report by Business Insider.
The individual began his journalism career in the 1980s after developing an interest in writing during high school, eventually working as a sports reporter in Texas with an initial salary of $230 per week.
Over the years, he covered major teams and later moved to a copy desk role. However, the steady decline of the newspaper industry led to shrinking circulation, hiring freezes and repeated pay cuts.
His annual salary reportedly dropped from $37,500 to $30,000, forcing him to closely manage daily expenses and raising concerns about basic costs, including groceries and medical bills.
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By 2015, mounting stress from tight deadlines and low pay led him to quit journalism altogether.
Within months, he moved to a city carrier assistant position and was promoted to a full time letter carrier within two years after relocating to New York.
The improved financial stability has allowed him and his wife greater comfort, including dining out and taking vacations without financial strain.
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Now aged 63, he reports feeling fitter and more satisfied, citing better pay, job security, benefits and positive daily interactions as key factors behind the improved quality of life.
The individual began his journalism career in the 1980s after developing an interest in writing during high school, eventually working as a sports reporter in Texas with an initial salary of $230 per week.
Over the years, he covered major teams and later moved to a copy desk role. However, the steady decline of the newspaper industry led to shrinking circulation, hiring freezes and repeated pay cuts.
His annual salary reportedly dropped from $37,500 to $30,000, forcing him to closely manage daily expenses and raising concerns about basic costs, including groceries and medical bills.
Also Read: From Johnny Depp to Shah Rukh: How Iranian embassies are mocking Trump with AI images amid Hormuz blockade threats
By 2015, mounting stress from tight deadlines and low pay led him to quit journalism altogether.
Jim joins US postal service at 53
After briefly taking up handyman and cleaning work, he joined the US postal service in 2015 at the age of 53, starting in an entry level clerk role.Within months, he moved to a city carrier assistant position and was promoted to a full time letter carrier within two years after relocating to New York.
Higher income and improved stability
In his current role, he earns $34.26 per hour, with overtime pay significantly boosting his income. Over the past year, his earnings crossed $85,000, nearly three times his previous base salary in journalism.The improved financial stability has allowed him and his wife greater comfort, including dining out and taking vacations without financial strain.
Also Read: US Navy starts Hormuz blockade: This 9,000-tonne destroyers with Tomahawk has been deployed to stop the sea traffic, check features
Better work life balance and health
The career shift has also reduced stress levels while improving physical health. The job involves extensive walking, often between 12 to 18 miles a day, with step counts reaching up to 40,000 during busy periods.Now aged 63, he reports feeling fitter and more satisfied, citing better pay, job security, benefits and positive daily interactions as key factors behind the improved quality of life.
