I was struck today by two postings, from either side of the Atlantic, that come at a similar problem - the disappearance of journalistic staff jobs - from different perspectives and contexts. Yet, in many ways, their messages are also similar.

One, by media consultant and former TV producer Robin Hamman, outlines a lecture on entrepreneurial journalism that he is about to give to City University students.

The other, by website editor and former Chicago Tribune journalist Lou Carlozo, describes how he coped with being made redundant and built a new career.

Hamman, aware that students cannot be certain of getting a journalism job once they graduate, believes they should be prepared to embrace "the brave new world that is entrepreneurial journalism."

To that end, he has sketched out his lecture in which he begins by exploring various business models - old, new and imaginary - that aim to extract profit from journalism.

Then he takes up the possibilities of journalists becoming more entrepreneurial, suggesting ways in which funds can be raised and how money can be made.

One key bit of advice: build yourself a brand, whether you sell content or market your skills.

Carlozo, who was laid off a year ago after 16 years on the Tribune, found a new career at AOL where he edits and runs the burgeoning Money College site. (He has also just completed his first novel).

Along the way to a "fabulous" new life, he says he has learned a lot a hard-won lessons. Among them is a clear belief in the value of taking chances. He does not mention entrepreneurial journalism as such, but he places great faith in the individual making the most of their skills, outside of what he calls "a privileged-but-stuck life" on a newspaper.

One of his ambitions was "to conceive and create journalism-based websites". That, of course, is also Hamman's message to students who are unlikely ever to enjoy a privileged-but-stuck life in a newsroom.

Anyway, both of these very different pieces are worth reading.

Sources: cybersoc.com/WalletPop