Pros
There are opportunities to cover industry events and connect with sources. Unlike other news organizations, IWP does not experience layoffs due to its reliance on group subscriptions.
Cons
1) IWP is divided into several publications, and experiences can vary depending on which one you write for. I find that their minimal approach to journalism hinders professional development. Stories mostly rehash public reports and press releases, making the coverage feel shallow and incomplete. There are hardly any opportunities to move up within the newsroom, and their training is mediocre at best. 2) The editors I had did not appreciate any effort to do more in-depth reporting. They barely have, if any, experience doing journalism for other publications and are unable (or unwilling) to provide constructive feedback. Some reporters get very favorable treatment while others are undermined, creating a tense (sometimes hostile) environment. There’s no oversight from the publisher, and the company lacks a human resources department. 3) IWP has a lower reputation than its competitors. Press offices often prioritize requests from competing publications, and I frequently encountered reluctance when seeking interviews. Editors at other publications do not take IWP very seriously, making it difficult to move on to another journalism job. 4) Many of their websites have not been modernized in more than a decade. Several of the social media accounts are dormant, and the visual branding is inconsistent. 5) Having spent a couple of years at IWP, it’s hard to recommend their job opportunities to anyone looking to build a career in journalism. Those who end up working here should plan to move on within a year. Staying longer is not a good idea.