Mike,
My professor currently teaches After Effects classes, and has (I think) 20+ years experience in directing, writing, editing,and producing pieces for not only the university, but previously for news stations as well. I can’t say that he ever worked for a major network, but he is still currently active in the university’s Video Services department, pumping out video after video for the various colleges within the campus, doing a good portion of the editing himself.
Obviously the industry has changed, which leads me to mention that the few employees under his wing working for him, seem more or less concerned about meeting deadlines, etc. It seems that this younger generation is much more lax than my professor. In addition, they appear very comfortable with the digital editing chaos which drives him crazy. 🙂
So in turn, I am told by other, perhaps younger (no offense), professors that there IS a “demand” out there…is my generation simply more optimistic, or blind to reality?