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Jenni, Senior Editor, National News at Newsweek Magazine : Advize Career Interview
A Newsweek Senior Editor, National News, shares a compelling career journey marked by initial uncertainty and a self-driven path to success.
The interview reveals a dynamic career built on persistent effort, attention to detail, and a proactive approach, including early starts and late finishes.
This individual's leadership role involves shaping narratives, mentoring staff, and ensuring a productive newsroom.
A typical day demands constant vigilance, from pre-dawn news monitoring to story assignments, editing, and proactive news tracking.
The most crucial skills highlighted include unwavering confidence, exceptional time management, and a self-starting mentality. Challenges center on time constraints and the need to prioritize effectively.
The individual finds immense satisfaction in the industry's constant evolution, the opportunity to impact readers, and the ability to build a positive team environment.
Advice to aspiring journalists includes developing self-validation, embracing less-than-glamorous entry-level positions, and quantifying achievements to achieve fair compensation.
Finally, the individual credits personal growth experiences outside traditional career paths as foundational for success.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Jenni Fink
Senior Editor, National News
Newsweek Magazine
University of Arizona, 2013
N/a
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Communications
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Creative
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Greek Life Member
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Career Path of a National News Senior Editor at Newsweek Magazine
Jenni's career path was initially uncertain, starting with an ill-fitting fashion PR internship and a brief foray into fiction writing after graduating early from college; however, a combination of persistent effort, a willingness to take on extra work ("I started work before everyone else and I left work after everyone else"), and attention to detail ("a handwritten thank you note in the mail") led to a successful career at Newsweek, culminating in a leadership position within five years.
Main Responsibilities of a Senior National News Editor at Newsweek Magazine
Jenni's main responsibilities as Senior Editor at Newsweek encompass ensuring "the success of the New York newsroom," guiding writers' careers, and fostering a positive and productive work environment; this includes "crafting stories that people want to read and affect change," managing hiring, and mentoring both junior and senior staff to produce impactful journalism.
A Day In The Life Of A Senior Editor National News At Newsweek Magazine
A Senior Editor at Newsweek Magazine's day begins well before the official 9 AM start time, with early morning preparation to ensure awareness of breaking news for the daily meeting; the role involves assigning stories, assisting writers with pitching and sourcing, editing articles and graphics, and proactively monitoring news throughout the day to avoid missing significant events, as Jenni states, "my worst day is if I'm being asked, why did we miss this?".
Most Important Skills for a Senior Editor National News at Newsweek Magazine
Jenni, a Senior Editor at Newsweek, emphasizes confidence as the most crucial skill, stating that "you have to believe that what you're doing is going to resonate with your audience," while also highlighting the critical need for strong time management in the fast-paced news industry to effectively juggle multiple tasks and deadlines.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Senior Editor National News At Newsweek
Jenni, a Senior Editor at Newsweek, most enjoys the daily variety and new challenges inherent in the role, stating that "every day is different," and the opportunity to "bring something new and better to readers." The leadership aspect, building on past experiences to "set the tone for the team," is also a significant source of satisfaction for Jenni.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Senior Editor National News At Newsweek Magazine
Jenni, a Senior Editor at Newsweek, identifies time constraints as the biggest challenge in their role, stating that "almost everything I do is a priority," making effective time management crucial, not only for completing tasks but also for giving each writer "a hundred percent of [their] energy" when needed. This highlights the demanding nature of senior editorial work and the importance of prioritizing both individual tasks and staff support.
Favorite Parts of Working in the News Industry as a Newsweek Senior News Editor
Jenni, a Senior Editor at Newsweek, finds the news industry "still really exciting" due to its constant change. The most rewarding aspect is "hearing people's stories" and the "breadth of knowledge" required, leading to continuous learning.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Journalism Industry, According To A Senior Editor At Newsweek Magazine
Newsweek's Senior Editor, National News, Jenni, identifies "self-starters" as those who thrive, emphasizing a proactive approach: the most successful individuals "carved their own path" and demonstrated initiative in identifying and pursuing important stories. This highlights the need for drive and a unique ability to create opportunities within a dynamic news environment.
What A Senior Editor At Newsweek Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The News Industry
Jenni, a Senior Editor at Newsweek, advises aspiring journalists to develop self-validation, understanding that "someone will always be angry with you," regardless of the work's quality. Success in the field requires adaptability and a constant pursuit of innovative audience engagement strategies, as the methods for reaching audiences are constantly evolving.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Editors At Newsweek Magazine
While internships are valuable, Jenni, a Newsweek Senior Editor, emphasizes less desirable entry-level options like "weekend writer roles" and "night shift roles" as crucial for gaining experience in a competitive field; the willingness to accept such opportunities, despite the "social sacrifice," significantly increased Jenni's chances of advancement.
Significant Career Lesson From a Senior Editor at Newsweek Magazine
Jenni, a Senior Editor at Newsweek, learned that demonstrating worth through consistent effort and success is key to career advancement. By proving "100% good faith effort" even on tasks with flawed strategies, then offering constructive feedback from a place of experience, Jenni earned credibility and the ability to influence decisions.
College Experiences That Helped A Senior Editor National News At Newsweek Succeed
Jenni's undergraduate success wasn't tied to traditional internships or major choices, but rather to "going off on [her] own"— studying in Arizona and then Paris, forcing a development of self-confidence and the understanding that "[no matter] where [she] go[es]...[she] will be fine". These experiences instilled a valuable lesson: the ability to adapt and succeed in unfamiliar environments, a skill highly transferable to a demanding career in national news.
How Identity Has Influenced A Senior Editor At Newsweek Magazine's Career
Jenni, a Senior Editor at Newsweek, attributes their successful salary negotiations throughout their career to proactively demonstrating their worth with concrete metrics and quantifiable achievements, rather than relying on general statements of hard work. The approach of presenting "the metrics," "success," and "performance exceeding expectations" has allowed them to command higher pay and bonuses, countering the historical disadvantage women face in salary negotiations.
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