What a Journalist at CNN Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Journalism
Matt, a CNN journalist, advises aspiring journalists to embrace the industry's constant evolution, stating that "journalism is this constantly evolving field," with changes in platforms like social media impacting how news is consumed and shared; the core skill of storytelling remains adaptable across formats.
Journalism, Adaptability, Technological Change, Storytelling, Evolving Media Landscape
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. The journalism field is constantly evolving, so adaptability is key. New platforms and formats (like social media and video) continually emerge and impact how news is consumed and reported.
2. Journalism's core principles remain consistent despite format changes. The ability to tell compelling stories and inform the public remains central, regardless of whether the medium is print, online, or video.
3. Navigating industry changes can be anxiety-inducing. It’s important to maintain a flexible mindset and recognize that fundamental journalistic skills are transferable and valuable across evolving platforms and formats.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you entered the industry?
I think I would have told a younger Matt, or another person breaking into the industry, that it's going to change a million times, and that's okay. Journalism is a constantly evolving field.
Everyone talks about how, 50 years ago, people got their news from the daily newspaper and three TV channels. Now, people get their news on the internet, and even more so on their phones.
Reading news on a laptop or desktop was common, but now it's primarily on phones. Video has become a larger component, and social media is a massive part of journalism.
In the decade I've been in the industry, I've experienced multiple changes. For example, Facebook was once a major platform for posting news stories, but it's become less relevant.
I've felt anxiety as my roles changed or when employers shifted focus to new initiatives, such as publishing stories on specific platforms or emphasizing video over writing. I would tell myself that I would ride out those changes.
At the end of the day, journalism is about telling stories and providing information. The form and format will always evolve, and you can apply your base skills wherever they are needed.