“It is the only profession I can think of at the top of my head where you actually get to go see wonderful things, have a front row seat to history and to have someone else pick up the tab for you, and that is pretty nice,” said Phil Jones, former CBS correspondent.

From the Vietnam battlefield to in-depth coverage of politics in the U.S. such as presidential campaigns, the Watergate investigation, and Nixon’s resignation, Jones has indeed been in the front row. He has even covered such scandalous events involving Monica Lewinsky, and Paula Jones, as well as Whitewater lawsuits, and the 2000 election.

A journalist at CBS for over 30 years, Jones met with FAU political Science students on April 1, at the Eleanor R. Baldwin House to discuss the media industry today.

Despite the longevity of his career with CBS, Jones cautions today’s students. Journalists better be able to work long and hard, and probably not make much money while doing so, said Jones. The lessons taught in the classroom should also not be forgotten, as they venture out into the field. Most importantly, students should not forget to fight for their principles.

The average salary for journalists is $26,000. A few people earn well over $70,000, but that’s after decades of experience and a reputation for high profile, high quality work. Most journalists should be prepared to work long, stressful hours and earn an average salary.

“I am sorry to tell you that the students today are probably entering a world at one of the worst times for Journalism,” said Jones.

He said it doesn’t matter which field students wish to pursue, print or broadcasting, it is all about the bottom line, the money. According to Jones, media owners do not have any real interest in serving anybody but themselves, their bankers, and stockbrokers, and it is tough times, financially.

After Watergate, journalists came out of the woodwork trying to become big rich stars cracking the next big scandal, said Jones. Journalism students go through school, come out and get out in the work force, and then they realize that it wasn’t what they thought it would be, because they didn’t become instant stars.

Aspiring journalists can’t get into it for the money, Jones reiterated. Once they get in they might realize that they should get out while they still can and get their political science degrees and become lawyers.

Jones told the story of his colleague’s experience while teaching journalism. On the first day of class, Jones’ friend began discussing the course syllabus, but students kept interrupting his lecture. Finally he asked them, “What is your question?” The first question they asked was, “What part of the course will we be taught makeup?” At that point he threw up his hands, just gave up, and finished the semester.

The love of writing and reporting, said Jones, motivates the majority of the journalists working today, not the money, nor the stardom.