Favorite Parts Of Being A Journalist At CNN
Matt, a CNN journalist, thrives on the unpredictable nature of his work, stating that "every day is different" and offers a "world of possibility." He also finds deep satisfaction in the trust people place in him to share their stories and in mentoring fellow journalists, taking particular joy in "seeing writers win."
Communication, Problem-Solving, Teamwork, Overcoming Challenges, Motivation
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Matt Meyer
Journalist
CNN
UC Santa Barbara
Political Science, American Studies
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Communication and Marketing
Video Highlights
1. Every day is different and unpredictable; the work is always reacting to current events.
2. Building trust with sources and getting them to open up about sensitive topics is rewarding.
3. The collaborative environment and the chance to mentor other journalists and see their success is fulfilling.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your current role?
The thing that still gets me excited and helps me get out of bed, even when my days start very early, is that every day is different. Each day begins with a world of possibility because the world is unpredictable.
You never know what's going to happen. There's no boring, average Monday morning. Every day as a journalist is going to be different because you're reacting to what's happening around you and then trying to explain it to people. So, that variety is a big factor.
I also value being trusted by people to let you into their world. As a reporter, when you ask someone about a subject they are passionate about, or even something difficult they are going through, they trust you with it.
That can be a scary experience, frankly. But it is really rewarding and another thing I truly love about my job. I also love the people.
I enjoy working with other journalists because typically you find people in this field who are there for a reason. They are very passionate about journalism. Specifically for me as an editor, I enjoy working with writers who are excited about honing their craft and improving.
I love seeing writers succeed. When I'm editing and see a writer really nailing it, that excites me. I love encouraging them and investing in their writing, and I'm getting to do more of that now at this stage in my career. All of those things get me excited to head into work.