AJR Asks   

If you weren't in journalism, what would you be doing?

If you weren't in journalism, what would you be doing?

Ann O'Neill, courts reporter, Los Angeles Times
"I would be a trial lawyer because I cover the courts and the two disciplines are so interrelated.... I thought about law school but realized that my lawyer friends want to be journalists, so I saved myself about $60,000."

Tim Chitwood, daily columnist, Georgia's Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
"I'd go into environmental law or try to be an environmental activist to apply more direct action to the kinds of problems I write about... Ideally, I'd be a rich filmmaker or script writer."

Lee Giles, vice president and news director, WISH-TV, Indianapolis
"I'm looking forward more to retirement... I thought maybe I would get on the Senior PGA Tour, but I can't seem to break 90. I hope I'm a better news guy than golfer."

J. Stryker Meyer, city editor, North [San Diego] County Times
"I would be writing historical or political nonfiction."

Marty Haag, senior vice president/news, A.H. Belo Corp.
"I'd be [involved] in any sort of motivational and behavioral research... Ideally, I'd be the general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team."

Sandra Mims Rowe, editor, Portland's Oregonian
"I would be an industrial psychologist, dealing with issues of personality and leadership in the workplace. Ideally, I'd be stomping grapes in Burgundy, France..or somehow involved in wine."

Katherine M. Skiba, national reporter, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"In idle moments I imagine being an astronaut, relief worker, therapist, dancer or Celine Dion."

Judy Mathewson, freelance writer
"If I weren't reporting, I'd like to be a professional Henry Higgins. I'm fascinated by regional American accents."

Angie Kucharski, news director, WBNS, Columbus, Ohio
"I would be a high school teacher because you get to help shape young lives. My fantasy job would be writing for a late- night show like Letterman or Leno."

Margaret Talev, reporter, Tampa Tribune
"[I'd] write novels full time, from high up in a small apartment in a crazy city with a great view of the bustle below, living on coffee, erratic sleep patterns and the occasional cigarette."