Readers of holdthefrontpage seem to be fulfilled by their work in journalism – and excited by many aspects of it, according to our recent survey.

Most expect to be in the industry in five years time, despite issues on pay and hours.

We asked people who completed our survey what boosts their morale at work. And we found out why they chose to become a journalist.

We found that just 13 per cent did not expect to be in journalism in five years time, with 56.7 per cent expecting to stay in the industry - that's 322 holdthefrontpage readers out of our 568 sample.

For those that do stay, we've found that a good morale booster is the good old byline – 320 (56.3 per cent) of respondents get a boost from seeing theirs on the page.

Praise from the boss is also important, with 402 - or 70.8 per cent - getting their morale boosted when it happens.

More important was recognition from colleagues, with 74.8 per cent getting something out of that.

And yet a massive 84.8 per cent of people surveyed said getting praise from readers was the best morale booster - 482 enjoying the moment.

Some 67 per cent simply enjoy getting their work published, with only 6.2 per cent - that's 35 people - getting nothing out of publication. We found that 322 people are heartened when pay day arrives. That's the good news. But our survey also showed 376 people – more than 66 per cent said that their salary gets them down. They also thrive on meeting deadlines though, with more than 64 per cent (362) saying it's a fulfilling part of their work.

What else do our readers love about the journalism industry?

We asked why they became a journalist.

A total of 245 – or 43 per cent – highlight the variety of their working day as "very much" the reason they became a journalist. 82 per cent gave a positive response to this option.

A sample of 241 say the reason was "very much" "job satisfaction". 428 voted positively - 75 per cent.

Their salary was "not at all" the reason they joined the ranks of the press, with 46 per cent - or 261 – ticking that box, and 69 per cent (almost 400 of our 568 sample) voting towards the negative end of the spectrum.

Yet 60 per cent aren't in it for perks or freebies either.

More than 300 started out in this career to have fun – more than 50 per cent of respondents.

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We asked: "On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is 'Not at all' and 5 is 'Very much', why did you become a journalist?"

Opportunity to use my skills –

Rating: 1- 2- 3- 4- 5-

People: 42 44 134 188 160

Percent: 7.40% 7.70% 23.60% 33.10% 28.20%

Have fun –

Rating: 1- 2- 3- 4- 5-

People: 35 56 174 201 102

Percent: 6.20% 9.90% 30.60% 35.40% 18.00%

Investigate/Expose the truth –

Rating: 1- 2- 3- 4- 5-

People: 42 60 135 192 139

Percent: 7.40% 10.60% 23.80% 33.80% 24.50%

Enjoy the variety every working day –

Rating: 1- 2- 3- 4- 5-

People: 9 22 72 220 245

Percent: 1.60% 3.90% 12.70% 38.70% 43.10%

Stepping stone to greater things –

Rating: 1- 2- 3- 4- 5-

People: 79 103 187 126 73

Percent: 13.90% 18.10% 32.90% 22.20% 12.90%

Become an editor in the industry –

Rating: 1- 2- 3- 4- 5-

People: 155 123 135 80 75

Percent: 27.30% 21.70% 23.80% 14.10% 13.20%

Make my mark on my town –

Rating: 1- 2- 3- 4- 5-

People: 155 138 146 72 57

Percent: 27.30% 24.30% 25.70% 12.70% 10.00%

Enjoy flexibility –

Rating: 1- 2- 3- 4- 5-

People: 89 118 165 123 73

Percent: 15.70% 20.80% 29.00% 21.70% 12.90%

Have job security –

Rating: 1- 2- 3- 4- 5-

People: 153 174 159 58 24

Percent: 26.90% 30.60% 28.00% 10.20% 4.20%

Career structure –

Rating: 1- 2- 3- 4- 5-

People: 130 159 166 79 34

Percent: 22.90% 28.00% 29.20% 13.90% 6.00%

Meet stars/high profile names –

Rating: 1- 2- 3- 4- 5-

People: 213 145 129 59 22

Percent: 37.50% 25.50% 22.70% 10.40% 3.90%

Perks (free concerts, press trips, etc) –

Rating: 1- 2- 3- 4- 5-

People: 172 157 138 71 30

Percent: 30.30% 27.60% 24.30% 12.50% 5.30%

Try it out and move on to alternate career –

Rating: 1- 2- 3- 4- 5-

People: 329 117 68 31 23

Percent: 57.90% 20.60% 12.00% 5.50% 4.00%