CNN: exciting & dynamic work enviroment, but less job security-
Pros
1. CNN has a dynamic, frenetic pace, with the core activity being chasing breaking news, which is fascinating if you like fast-paced work that forces you to learn about something new with each unique news story. It is a requirement that you enjoy thinking outside the box, because every news story has its own nuances and themes, which require that you improvise a new set of tools to get accurate information from sources. There is no repetitive daily grind in this line of work. 2. Great people to work with: very smart and talented people, who love the frenetic pace of news gathering as much as you should. No dull people looking for a quiet day need apply, and very few survive there for long. 3. Great benefits and usually good salaries. 4. A great place to build a career in journalism; CNN ( still!) has great brand recognition and so it is a good springboard to other media companies.
Cons
CNN, like almost all news media organizations, is in a long-term struggle for survival to keep subscribers and advertisers as the Internet pulls more and more eyes away from traditional news outlets. This translates into radical changes as management tries new ways to increase viewership, resulting in periodic seismic shifts in staffing... so stay for the exciting work, but make sure you keep your resume polished and have a back-door exit plan. It used to be the case that talented employees could count on their job being permanent (barring acts of misconduct); but that is no longer the case. Expect periodic downsizings and elimination of special departments (i.e. CNN's science and technology unit). As one of my former managers helpfully suggested as my unit was being reformed and I was left without a job, "embrace change".
