How the New York Media Dream Has Changed:

By Bryce Rioux

If the beloved The Devil Wears Prada were to be set in 2025, Andy Sachs would likely be working from home in sweats, taking Zoom calls instead of making Starbucks runs. The iconic sense of ‘making it’ in New York with the skyscraper offices and the industry overlords like Mirana Priestly has started shifting to something new and unseen. A new reality has arrived for aspiring editors, and it might be for the better. 

The Industry is Shifting

New York has always been a central part of the media industry. For any shot at making a successful name for yourself, you had to make the move to New York. While NYC is still a hub for media activity, it is no longer necessary. 

2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic forced a new age to start for the New York work environment. Entire companies went virtual overnight, and many still have yet to return to a fully in person schedule. Besides offering more flexible schedules to local employees, corporations can now hire workers from across the country with no problems. 

The Importance of The Shift

Location is no longer such a central and determining factor of these careers, and it is about time. 

1. Creative control

Besides just easier hiring and working conditions, aspiring editors and writers no longer need to wait to be given something to write. Anyone can participate in the online realm of this industry, building their own platform and gaining their own plans. Followings have also become just as important as resumes, showcasing your voice can get you far!

2. More pathways in

Location is no longer critical to your success in this industry. Being able to publish content from anywhere and it’s out there, being in New York no longer automatically makes you credible or worthy. 

3. A wider variety of voices

The old structure of the media industry was far more accessible to certain demographics that could afford the insane prices of New York City. Now, people can work the same jobs while paying less for rent.

The New York dream is far from dead, but it has certainly changed. The office buzz still exists, but the desire to work remotely is just as exciting. Now, it does not matter where you are, but what you contribute.