Hard to return to journalism?

Q: I am a reporter for an education trade magazine and would like to continue my 10-year career in journalism. However, I am weighing a lucrative job offer to write newsletters for an education association. If I accept this position, would it still be possible to return to journalism in two or three years? Would a newspaper or magazine be less likely to hire someone who had worked for an association? I've heard that it's difficult to return to journalism once you've left. Is that true?

Thanks,

A.D.

A: It can be difficult for the two reasons you have touched on. One is that editors can begin to question your commitment to journalism if you make a departure.

The other is that, from the sounds of things, you might have to take a pay cut to come back. Would it make sense for you to take a pay cut later on?

You clearly have been at this for a while and have some long-term interests in journalism. Before you do anything, get very honest with yourself about what you'd like to be doing with your career and your life. If this offer takes you closer to fulfilling your dreams -- all of them -- then it sounds good. If it takes you away from important goals, that's a danger sign and I would look for something else that would be more in the direction you choose.