Thomas Ritchie went from journalism to digital corporate social media at a trucking insurance company. The changing of journalism has made the transition easier.

Thomas Ritchie is from Waterloo, Iowa. He went to a small private college in Yankton, South Dakota. He was an adjunct professor at Morningside College, now Morningside University. Thomas was in the journalism career for 25 years.

Journalism has not been the same from when he first started his career. The demand for journalism has started to decline over the years. At the time he made the decision, he was working at the Sioux City Journal. The leadership at the Sioux City Journal was declining. 

Thomas designed websites as a side hustle, which soon led to more than just a side hustle. More people started to ask him to create content. This increase caused Thomas to start his own social media company. He made this shift because he was able to be his own boss and saw more of an opportunity. Thomas saw more benefits within the marketing industry. 

“I miss journalism every day.” Thomas added. 

Thomas now works in digital social media at Great West Casualty, a trucking insurance. On a day-to-day basis, Thomas focuses on social media creation, lead generation, driving people to their website, and converting those people. 

Thomas states, “My job is to get people to our website and get people to convert.” 

Many things have changed since his time at Great West Casualty. Due to Covid-19, Thomas works hybrid. He enjoys this work schedule.

“Because who wants to work in an office. That’s kind of boring.” He comments.

Thomas enjoys his time at Great West Casualty because each day looks different for him.

“It’s never the same two days in a row.” Thomas adds. 

Thomas continues to work at Great West Casualty, a place he never imagined he would be at. 

“I never expected I would be working in insurance.”