For the 52 Places Job, 9,000 Applicants (and an Avalanche of Unicorns)

I would hope that whomever is hired does not write fluff pieces. Rather they should write what it like outside the Tourist Zone.

At the risk of sounding like a Scrooge, how about saving the money and bringing back the Public Editor? Or that cracker jack investigative business reporter, Gretchen Morgenson or someone like her? These are tough times, after all, and, as such, should be reflected in the NYT with tough stories.

What really struck me during the application process, Monika, was one of the initial questions - Do you have a passport? This actually really put me into thinking how it would feel living a life without a passport. I believe travelling freely should be a basic human right, and I even googled if there is any country where citizens' have a lot of troubles getting a passport (apart from North Korea, of course). Then my parents told me how during the socialist era in Hungary, actually not everyone had a passport and your travels were really limited (they restricted the amount of foreign currency you could get). I would love to have this job, but in a way, would also be glad to see someone who actually haven't travelled that much to see their growing awe and how it will change them during that one year.

Why one person? Not everyone is suited for every culture. But if you are looking for a cursory breeze through, that is the approach. It is not hard to put together the usual great hotels, food specialties of the area and some sporting activities. And why is there always so much on food and not culture? As a walker who attempts life in their language, I find The Times Travel a roller skate thru the park. Maybe rethink your plan and reach for some depth. That would surely be worth reading.

I understand your need to find someone who can write while parachuting. I never end a day away before assembling my report. For this reason, I called your attention to my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/FatherTonyAdams and ) and wrote, "This is for _____ looking for my travel writing on social media. I hope you'll review my on-the-road reporting while in Madrid/Seville/Ronda/Olvera. For that, scroll down to Sept 16 through Oct 1. (If you are in a hurry, scroll to Oct 4 for the link to my Vancouver piece.) Also, we are always the worst judges of our own photos, but I think the first few hundred in this photo stream (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyadamsphotos/) demonstrate my depiction of places, people, food, flowers and fun." I hope you find someone whose passionate love of people and places shines in their words and images!

Hi Monica, Where have you traveled to? What's your favorite place? Did you have a chance to review my application? Thanks

It would be nice if the NYT were as willing to look outside the "traditional background" for its regular reporters as well.

Beware of the dreamer, I did an overland around the world trip hitchhiking* while getting college credit corresponding, hard work. The image meets reality, a reoccurring theme in the lives of mankind.

seems like a publicity stunt

I thought about applying, but I couldn't because I have obligations at home (taking care of a disabled spouse). But I laughed when Monica said she was looking for someone who could "parachute into a place." I have 1,600-plus skydives, and I'm still active, so that would certainly check off one of the qualifications.

Someone who can parachute in and get to know a place in a week? 52 trips in one year is so not travel. It's a long business trip with no vacation.

Sounds like a lot of folks are being put through the ringer for a very hyped position that will be in the spotlight as soon as it is filled. Seems like this article is just self promotion for the times. The hiring process should be confidential, not a public contest. #1 skill for this job: ability to handle pressure

It is a little sad these days what passes for a "job" and makes me realize why the "middle class" does not really exist anymore. This job creates nothing for no one and is paid for by advertisers who want to sell their services/products through the media outlet of the NYT. The fact that thousands of people find this somehow appealing is equally mysterious. I would rather read about someone who worked in a coal mine for a year and what they learned in the process; noting that "we got somebody who used to be a coal miner and was trying to become a travel photographer." Sorry to say the coal mining is the better story.

One person going to and writing about 52 destinations on every continent except maybe Antarctica in a single year? Why? Sounds more like a crazy endurance event bound to leave the writer mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted by mid-year. I prefer the idea of various traveler/writers with different fresh perspectives who have explored different destinations in depth and with a little leisure and can distill that with the help of an editor.

This kind of response to job ads these days is typical. Of course the numbers are higher here because this was a public outreach, but in general I get a ridiculous number of applicants for jobs they are not suited for in any way (my line of work also has elements of glamour and aesthetics to it, so highly desirable). People are told they can do anything and be anything, but sadly, they cannot. And worse for the person who has to vet these vast number of unqualified applicants, such an enormous waste of time. People should have a clearer understanding of what their real skills and limitations are, but instead a vast majority seem more delusional than ever these days. Just today I had a new employee start who seemed on paper to actually be qualified, but then he just futzed around for three hours before he gave up and decided to go home, realizing he was in way over his head and had overstated his qualifications. I currently have several job openings but can't find anyone qualified for any of them, although I receive numerous applications daily from people who are absolutely sure they are qualified but are glaringly not. Good luck finding the right person based on applications. I'm living that nightmare right now.

My wife and I are willing to do the job for half-salary (each).

How did I possibly miss this? Is it too late?

Actually, Monica, you might want to rethink your plan to reach out to 100 applicants and ask them for more information -- or at least be careful in deciding how much information to request. As I read your description of the great lengths so many applicants went to, to try to impress you, I couldn't help feeling for the hundreds upon hundreds who won't get the job anyway. It's one thing to work hard on a cover letter and on tailoring a resumé but then get rejected. It's quite another to have your hopes raised with further requests for information, to compose lengthy heartfelt statements about how great a fit one is for such a dream job, to submit writing samples and multimedia samples and prepare for interviews -- and yet still get rejected. Of course you simply have to do that to a handful of the final short-listed candidates. But do you really want to inflict it on 90 people, some of whom really need a job and are struggling to sustain the will to keep searching and applying?

The requirements? Writing skill, discipline, and stamina are a base line. Additional qualifications: 1) Enough knowledge of the world that you can write with depth and, above all, real insight. What's required is less a description of the obvious and more a relevant commentary that connects with the reader. That takes time to develop and militates against youth. A cross between George Orwell, a young Kim Philby, and Ernest Hemingway would be good. 2) 52 weeks? That creates an age ceiling. This is the Navy Seals equivalent of journalism. I'm 69, in excellent shape, and that sort of sustained pace for an entire year is about 20 years beyond me. 3) Highly social. You need to be able to get the story that resides in the hearts of people that you purposefully encounter. They have to want to tell about themselves. No alcoholics. 4) Fearless but prudent. That's an acquired skill frequently requiring previous close calls and bruises. You don't know what you don't know and you need to know where that line is. No job for the clueless. 5) The ability to get a good night's sleep. You'll need it. That requires a clear conscience and a personal sense of equanimity - without the intervention of drugs. 6) English is the universal language but skills in Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, Arabic, and Portuguese would be helpful. Not to mention French, Italian, German, and Russian. My guess? Multi-lingual, serious humanities background, 30 to 50, highly empathic, 6 minute mile. Good luck.

Wouldn't it make more sense to send 52 people? One person is eventually going to be affected by travel fatigue. Using one person increases the likelihood that the reporter will have problems during the traveling, or be called home, or miss their mommy (or other S.O.) You'll get the project done more quickly---52 times faster! Plus, you make an additional 51 people happy.

This is what the Times does best...travel, food, style, etc. When your editor finishes reaching out on this idea, why not have her reach out to people who want to overnight in Los Angeles best underpasses. We have hundreds and hundreds and it can certainly be confusing for the newcomer.

I've read many other travel pieces in the NYTimes. Notably, the "36 Hours in ..." articles which almost invariably end up telling one how to eat 27 full restaurant meals in those 36 hours and visit 19 coffee shops and 37 bars, too. Whenever my wife and I see one of those articles, we say, "It's the Kiss of Death for that place, so we can never go there again." Sadly, some of favorite places are now off limits thanks to the NYTimes. :)

52 places in a year? Sounds too much like a theme park ride but I wish the winner all the luck in making sense of even a few of those destinations. I’d prefer to read about someone who went to one place and stayed for a year (and preferably someone who learns something about the culture and doesn’t decide to remodel an old house).

By the time my son Daniel, aka #dantorp aviation, started high school he had created for himself the role you've described and become a fixture on social media, especially YouTube. In his just completed "gap" year, he visited over 40 countries, taking as many as 20 flights in a month. He spent three weeks volunteering at an animal shelter in South Africa, hiked Machu Picchu and spent a week combining surf lessons with a meditation retreat in India. He travelled from Cape Town, Singapore and Sydney to Vancouver and Svalbard, with the most northern airport open to the public in the world. He stayed with friends and in youth hostels, as well as at four and five star hotels, all with no help from his parents. Perhaps, most importantly, Daniel has made friends in almost every corner of the globe, from airline CEOs to a monk in Bangkok, airport staff and animal rights activists. As I write my son is embarking on the first of four flights he'll need to return to college in San Francisco from Sweden, where he dropped by for a long weekend, a TV interview, some business meetings and to surprise his family with a quick visit. Still 20, he is now speeding back to Minerva University where he'll finish his first semester in just a few weeks. For the inventive with a love of people, there's an amazing world of fun and opportunity to be embraced.

Looks like it might be harder to get the traveler job than to get into Stanford!

It would be great if there were four or five people chosen to take this on then the writers would be much fresher to give their thoughts on the different places they visit. Can’t imagine one person writing as well for the last 8 places they visit as they do for the first 10 or so. Also would be better to see more than one perspective on places visited.

to A. Stanton Dallas, TX 13 hours ago The "failing" NY Times seems to be doing OK these days when it comes to attracting applicants for vacant positions. Which is a lot more than I can say for our falling down White House. there is never an article where you do not respond with a verbal attack on President Trump, no matter how tenuous the subject of the article is to the President. the editor, monica drake was looking for the perfect unicorn., not a one trick pony. therefore you are most definitely not suitable for theFifty Places To GO position. better luck in the future.

Really. Being familiar with the feature I would have thought it was put together by an intern with strong internet skills and a free weekend.

The strangest request came from one Donald J Trump who said he would love to be able to visit all 52 states.

I would be a lot more impressed if the paper demonstrated as much interest, enthusiasm, and column inches in its search -- which one can only assume is actually occurring -- for someone to replace Gretchen Morgenson, as investigator of business mischief and criminality. I can only speculate as to why she is no longer with the paper, but perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the focus seems to have shifted from hard investigative journalism to "lifestyle", personalities, and gossip.

It is so wonderful to see that there are so many people interested in writing! Everyone loves communication, everyone loves to be the first one to know something...but the profession is not seen as glamorous by any means. I am going to try to read each of these 52 articles next year to celebrate the medium and continue my support of the NYT and the individual that holds this apparent dream job!

It would be helpful if you had a future article explaining the process for more "regular" New York Times job applications ie do editors generally look at all applications? How are decisions made?

I wish I had known of this because I would have also applied. Traveling is the most educational thing one can do because it automatically broadens your horizons. Good luck finding the perfect traveler!

Gosh, pressure's on to pick somebody good, huh?

Hire 52 of them!

I'm one of the 9000 dreamers who applied for the NYT's '52 Places' job. This article might be the most substantial response I've gotten to a job application in the internet era. Thanks, guys!

The "failing" NY Times seems to be doing OK these days when it comes to attracting applicants for vacant positions. Which is a lot more than I can say for our falling down White House.