By Tonie Auer

I think I know more colleagues who are unemployed than gainfully working these days. That is pretty depressing. If you’re a member of the Fourth Estate, you probably find yourself looking over your shoulder a little more these days than maybe in years past. And, rightfully so.

What can you do? Not much. But, one thing I would recommend is taking advantage of professional development opportunities. Want some suggestions?

• ASPBE has inexpensive webinars that don’t require you to even leave the office. For the cost of a luncheon, you can eat your sack lunch at your desk and do something good for your career. We posted a list last Monday of the next few webinars.
• Join some local writers’ organizations or check your local public library for writing courses. They may not be B2B, but improving your writing in any fashion can’t be bad.
• Check the local professional organizations from your local ASBPE chapter to the Society of Professional Journalists, International Association of Business Communicators or even the Public Relations Society of America for networking or improvement opportunities. Relationships are still the best way I’ve found to get a job. Its how I got my current gig.
• The Donald W. Reynolds Center for Business Journalism, like the SPJ, offers regional workshops for nominal fees, or even free in many cases.

Tonie Auer is the DFW reporter for Bisnow on Business; the DFW ASBPE Chapter president and the ASBPE blog czarina. She can be reached at tonie@bisnow.com