What Type Of Person Thrives In The Journalism Industry According To A Freelance Writer And Editor
Kathryn, an independent writer/editor, highlights the industry's appeal to those who thrive on "novelty" and "what's new," a trait explained by the recent ADHD diagnoses of some journalist colleagues. Success also requires a balance of embracing this freedom and possessing the discipline to "produce and package" high-quality work.
Communication, Problem-Solving, Resilience, Motivation, Self-Discipline
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kathryn McKenzie (Kathy to my friends)
Independent writer/editor
Self-Employed
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
No graduate programs
Creative Writing, Journalism
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Creative
Honors Student
Video Highlights
1. Thriving in the writing/editing industry involves enjoying novelty and being comfortable with a fast-paced environment.
2. While introversion is okay, professionals in this field must be able to network and communicate effectively with others.
3. Strong self-discipline is crucial for meeting deadlines and producing high-quality work, even amidst the exciting, ever-changing nature of the job.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in this industry?
As I mentioned before, if you're easily bored, it's funny because a couple of my journalist friends have recently been diagnosed with ADHD. I'm saying to myself, "Geez, this explains a lot."
People with ADHD thrive on novelty, on what's new and exciting, and they want to find out about it. So for bright people who don't want to do the same thing day after day, this is a perfect job.
You also have to be able to put on an extroverted face, even if you're an introverted person, enough to get out there and talk to folks. But you also have to be disciplined in getting your story done and making sure it's accurate and of sufficient quality.
So you have to have a dual nature. You have to enjoy that freedom and novelty, but also be able to produce and package it up appropriately at the end of the day.
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