Victor Rivera, with his bills on the table, was laid off in 2008.
The Orlando Sentinel had little to choose from when it came to profiles. Either the profiles were too short or they were taken from another news source. I did come across one profile that caught my eye from 2009. It was about a local man who lives in the Dover Shores neighborhood who was laid off of his job in 2008. He used to install fire-alarm systems in buildings across Central Florida.
Victor Rivera, 45, was laid off after three years at the same company. He lives with a roommate in an apartment that they both rent. Rivera was very unsure about when his job would be back or when he would find another job. Rivera shortly found a job, with the help of WorkForce Central Florida at a library stocking shelves with books. He makes $12 more a week compared to his unemployment check. He makes sure that all of the lights are off in the apartment and that everything he buys is accounted for. He always knows the balance in his bank account.
Rivera also suffers from health problems. He has ruptured his appendix and has had fluid in his lungs. Rivera doesn't have health insurance, therefore he can't afford to see a doctor. He tries to give blood as much as possible, so that his blood pressure is checked. Rivera doesn't know when a job will appear again, but he does have hope.
I thought that this was a great profile. It really showed how someone was affected by the recession. The reporter highlighted Rivera's thoughts on the situation and how he felt about it as well. I felt like I knew a lot about Rivera. There was good background information about his job, his home, and also his family. I also liked all the details about he tries to save every penny by watching everything that he does. The details really painted a picture and focused on the "show, don't tell" method of profiles. The only downside about this profile was that it wasn't newsworthy. He didn't happen recently, but I did like the way it was written.
I also searched the website to see if a follow-up story was done, but I couldn't find one. I think that the Orlando Sentinel should do a follow-up to see if Rivera has a full-time job again.
Victor Rivera, 45, was laid off after three years at the same company. He lives with a roommate in an apartment that they both rent. Rivera was very unsure about when his job would be back or when he would find another job. Rivera shortly found a job, with the help of WorkForce Central Florida at a library stocking shelves with books. He makes $12 more a week compared to his unemployment check. He makes sure that all of the lights are off in the apartment and that everything he buys is accounted for. He always knows the balance in his bank account.
Rivera also suffers from health problems. He has ruptured his appendix and has had fluid in his lungs. Rivera doesn't have health insurance, therefore he can't afford to see a doctor. He tries to give blood as much as possible, so that his blood pressure is checked. Rivera doesn't know when a job will appear again, but he does have hope.
I thought that this was a great profile. It really showed how someone was affected by the recession. The reporter highlighted Rivera's thoughts on the situation and how he felt about it as well. I felt like I knew a lot about Rivera. There was good background information about his job, his home, and also his family. I also liked all the details about he tries to save every penny by watching everything that he does. The details really painted a picture and focused on the "show, don't tell" method of profiles. The only downside about this profile was that it wasn't newsworthy. He didn't happen recently, but I did like the way it was written.
I also searched the website to see if a follow-up story was done, but I couldn't find one. I think that the Orlando Sentinel should do a follow-up to see if Rivera has a full-time job again.
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