So, the last couple of weeks is a painful, painful lesson in how difficult media jobs are to get — and maintain. A lesson for those looking to make it in the business... if you see yourself as a sports journalist or any sort of specialist, you are making your life harder.

If I had any advice for people in this business... make sure to spread your wings. Don't limit yourself to one thing. Don't ever let anyone call you a sportswriter. You want to be a great writer or broadcaster who can cover sports. Big difference, there.

I made the mistake in early 2000s of shrinking my focus, almost all hockey, all the time. I ignored my own plan to never be pigeonholed. And when the lockout came, I realized how linked I'd become to the NHL. It was not good.

And, honestly, writing about one thing over and over... it's boring. You need the variety. Writing about things other than sports will make you a better when you do write about sports.

But this is true of other fields. Don't "just" be a music writer or a political writer or a true-crime person. Being a specialist or worrying about a "brand" is as poor a path a young journalist can take.

And, seriously, if you can, take an assignment that takes you way out of your comfort zone. Learn about new things. Readers enjoy learning along with you. There are times when a newbie is better at telling a certain story than an expert.