Workplace reviews and discussion: 台灣醒報股份有限公司

Convenient transportation

I was a recent graduate, and was in the latter half of my time at school.

However, media companies really place a lot of emphasis on educational background and experience.

When I first received a notification from Awakening News, I went online to look at the reviews.

I found that most of them were quite old, with no recent ones,

but the reviews were all similarly negative.

Later, I thought I might as well give it a try. At least it was a reporter position, and I could stay for a while to gain some experience.

It was only after the interview that I understood why online commenters were so harsh toward this company.

The company is in a very convenient location.

After entering the building, you find a run-down office.

Upon entering, you have to fill out a form.

The questions are almost identical to those on their standard application form.

I really don't understand why they make applicants fill out another one.

After I finished writing, the president came in.

She began asking relevant questions.

However, during the conversation, you could feel the president's overwhelming confidence in their newspaper...

She also said that the people working there were all graduates of National Taiwan University, National Tsing Hua University, or National Chiao Tung University, or were pursuing graduate degrees.

Originally, they had not intended to hire me.

They just thought they would give me an opportunity.

At the time, hearing that left me completely speechless.

(I thought, “How can someone be so arrogant? I know my academic background isn't strong, which is why I looked for a company that wasn't so prestigious! And the issue of academic qualifications was brought up twice.”)

She then said that internships were unpaid for one month.

At most, interns would receive article fees.

The starting salary for full-time university graduates was NT$25,000, and NT$28,000 for master's degree holders.

I wanted to sign a one-year contract, but she refused.

What she meant was that it took about half a year to train someone.

It would not be worthwhile for them if that person stayed for only one year.

I can understand the company's thinking.

However, considering everyone's opinions,

I really don't dare sign a two- or three-year contract with such an insecure company.

After talking for a while, I took my leave.

It feels like the president has considerable ambitions for the company and genuinely believes Awakening News is excellent.

I won't comment on that.

I heard from interns that you can indeed learn a lot there.

However, it really is a low-paid job with a lot of work.

I think being able to learn things is a good thing.

But looking at the experiences everyone has shared,

I don't dare—or want—to sign a two- or three-year contract.

It also feels like the return on investment is not very high.

On top of that, the feeling during the interview was genuinely quite unpleasant.

At first, I went in thinking that gaining experience was the priority and that the money could come later.

But after the interview and everything that happened, all I can say is:

If you are thinking of joining...

please give it serious and careful consideration!

You really must think it through carefully.