Many of my close friends as well as my sister recently took voluntary separation packages from the large newspaper company for whom I toiled for 14 years.

I was long gone, but I still kept tabs on the shocking demise of my former industry, so the announcement of a buyout offer for anyone employed in the newsroom for at least five years didn’t take me by surprise.

What did surprise me was how many people had the guts to take the deal--seventy-five--and how many of them, especially my sister, Susan, who had edited the food pages for 18 years, handled the evaporation of their careers. Click here to read more.

Article by, Patti Ghezzi, a veteran journalist with 15 years experience covering everything from education to the environment to business. While on staff at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, she founded the blog Get Schooled. She now writes about business for publications such as Atlanta Woman and Georgia Trend as well as the Web site DivineCaroline. When not working, she chases after her toddler, watches Yankee games with her husband and tries to figure out how to live green without giving up her beloved Diet Coke. Reach her at pattighezzipr@searchlogixgroup.com.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates seeking entry-level jobs and other career opportunities.