Hey I'm thinking of going the PA route, I have about 3 months to decide since I just arrived at my Station. I want to be a journalist, and have an interest in photography. I'd like to play an active role as a journalist in the Coast Guard but am curious as to what the different Districts do, and where is the most active districts. I'm also wondering if activity mostly relies on the enthusiasm of the PA or just the units in general. I want to indulge myself in as many opportunities as possible. I'd like to see the many units the Coast Guard has, as well as the many different boats, helos, and other machines first hand. Since joining in July I've become very proud to be a Coastie and want to use my passion for writing to show people how great the Coast Guard is.
I'm looking to join the coast guard and take the job as Public Affairs Specialist...How long is the wait for A school? and where most likely will i be stationed?
Originally posted by shnlin: Hey I'm thinking of going the PA route, I have about 3 months to decide since I just arrived at my Station. I want to be a journalist, and have an interest in photography. I'd like to play an active role as a journalist in the Coast Guard but am curious as to what the different Districts do, and where is the most active districts. I'm also wondering if activity mostly relies on the enthusiasm of the PA or just the units in general. I want to indulge myself in as many opportunities as possible. I'd like to see the many units the Coast Guard has, as well as the many different boats, helos, and other machines first hand. Since joining in July I've become very proud to be a Coastie and want to use my passion for writing to show people how great the Coast Guard is.
Well you definitely sound like you'd fit in as a PA. Activity definitely plays a role in opportunity as a PA. Most offices are pretty flexible in what you can do as long as you have a plan and a good story idea. I haven't heard of any in my 6 years as a PA that have turned down a good, well-thought idea. After all, that's what we're here for. Find stories and tell the public what we're doing and where their money is being spent.
Opportunities will vary by location. If you're in D7, you'll be heavily involved in migrant operations, drug interdiction, SAR, some fisheries... a little taste of most everything really. In contrast, if you're up in Alaska, you'll have less AMIO but more fisheries. You'll still have a lot of SAR. Anywhere up north there will be icebreaking stories where as the West Coast, Gulf Coast and southern East Coast you may not have as much as say D9.
So bottom line, your biggest hindrance would be lack of motivation to get out and cover things which from the sound of your post isn't the case at all. I think you'll enjoy the job. It's definitely worth the wait.
I take it you're a PA? I'm an SK2 in the process of lateralling over to PA. I like the idea of offices being flexible on job opportunities, but I was wondering if they let you focus on a certain areas in the field, like writing for example. Do they let people exhaust their greatest talents and focus more on them, or is each PA writing, photographing and going on TV, doing it all? Thanks.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: aceofthlakes,
You're expected to be able to do it all, but there are opportunities (and C schools) that will allow you to cultivate your particular interests and talents.
Sorry, been away for a couple months traveling, but to answer your questions. Yes I'm a PA1. My individual experience has been, when things go south and media's beating down your door, people generally take charge of what they are best at, but that doesn't mean it's always going to work.
Ruddneck is right on the money, you have to be able to do it all and demonstrate you can do it all.
In the slower times though, the projects and story ideas you come with, you pretty much have control over how it goes, but you get sent alone, so that means and stories that are written, photos or videos that are shot, are all coming from you.
As far as focusing on one area, there aren't too many C-schools that focus on only one area. The last thing you want to be as a PA is one dimensional, but you can certainly get creative with what you're good at.
