What was your first job as a journalist?
Writing a report on sexual harassment
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No
How is social media changing news?
Social media is radically changing all aspects of life and news is no exception. In fact, social media has already changed the face of news, big time! We now have our news delivered to us (and in some cases, informed by us) through Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and the like. Twitter, in particular, has been a game-changer, as the POTUS and even the Pope now use it to communicate with their constituents. Make no mistake, the media is no longer the sole purveyor of news and information. We, the people, have become the media.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
I like “Easy Rawlins”, a private detective in James Lee Burke’s series of books. Even though he is a fictional character and a journalist in the series, he is a clear reflection of the journalists who are in real life. The books have been hailed as perfect examples of crime fiction because of the realistic portrayal of the journalists. The description of the journalists’ lifestyle and the harsh reality of their lives especially the racial profiling is something which is captured superbly.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Depending on the type of journalism, the term journalist may also include different groups of people depending on the roles they play in the process. Journalists can work in broadcast, print, advertising, and public relations.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I prefer being pitched by email. I like to read and view everything in one place. I don't like to be bombarded with messages. Emails are good because they are direct, short and to the point.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
AI tool
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin
Who do you wish followed you?
Obama
Why did you become a journalist?
I love telling stories, and I love writing. That’s why I decided to become a journalist. Besides, I thoroughly enjoy interviewing people and listening to their stories. I get a kick out of writing a piece, sending it to my editor and seeing it in print a few days later. Also, the pay is substantially better than that of an average software engineer.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No i did not
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Health and Wellness
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Do not just jump into the business. Your passion for the profession will help you, if you know your way around the business. To start with, I would recommend you to go to a university and get your degree in journalism. If you do not have the means to go to a university and take a couple of years away from your job, you can also enrol yourself in a college or a program that offer diploma in journalism. The more you know about the business, the more you will be able to network and build relationships. Never take no for an answer. If you are told you are not good enough, find out what you can do to be good enough. If you are told that you are not experienced enough, then work as an intern and get some experience. If you have never worked as a journalist before, remember that everyone started from somewhere.
When's the best time to pitch you?
6pm - 6am
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I was working in a startup as a SEO expert. Before, we had a product which we needed to sell. A strategy, a pitch to sell it. But no product! So I needed to pitch a money-making idea. I pitched the idea of an Amazon like FBA store. So we started a store with a very small product range, just a few items, to see how the process works. And it worked fine and we made some money. So we just expanded our product range. We started selling products in different categories. We are doing this and making money till now. This was my best pitch ever.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
You’re gonna love my friend! He or she is perfect for you
What's your favorite drink?
cocacola
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Library
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I read many different magazines and publications to keep my writing in shape. The ones I really enjoy most are The Guardian, NY Times, Forbes, Entrepreneur and Fast Company. I read their articles almost every day to keep myself up-to-date. I also read quite a few books on writing, business, and self-improvement.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That we are all business people who have no life outside. This is not true. The business beat here is full of people, who are active in all sorts of other activities. There are, of course people who don't do anything but work all the time, but they are very rare. I have found that the more time you spend at work being social and finding things to do, the more successful you are.
