Jahnavi T.R., a student at REVA University, recently landed her first job as a reporter at the popular English daily Deccan Herald. She shares some of her key learnings from her first few months in this role. These include making conversations with people from all walks of life to develop news stories and sources. It is also important to network widely with bureaucrats and build strong sources who can provide accurate information. Another challenge is adjusting to the erratic schedule of a journalist, as assignments may come up at different times of day. Prior work experience as a freelance content writer during her studies helped hone Jahnavi's writing skills. She encourages staying determined and working towards one's aspirations.

1. TAKEAWAYS FROM MY FIRST
JOB

2. HOW IT ALL BEGAN ?
2
An inside insight from an MA student who has recently landed her
first job with a reputed English daily :
At REVA, we want our students to be job-ready and we aspire to
nurture an ecosystem that will facilitate our goal. This blog will
summarize the learnings of a student from her new job, the
challenges of adjusting from student life to work-life, and tips to
prepare for the job.

3. WHAT INSPIRED JAHNAVI ?
Jahnavi says movies inspired her to become a journalist!
She says, “I must have been a 6 or a 7-year-old when I saw the
role of a journalist in a movie. Soon after, I was carrying a
notepad and a pen everywhere, making my own ‘news reports’,
imagining myself to be a journalist. However, as I grew up, I
understood the various aspects of journalism and in my under-
graduation, I realized becoming a journalist was my true calling.”
3

4. THE KEY LEARNINGS:
We bring the story of Jahnavi. T.R, a fourth-semester
student of MA in Mass Communication and Journalism at
REVA University. Jahnavi has recently joined the popular
English daily Deccan Herald as a Reporter, and she
shares her journey with us.
Jahnavi joined REVA University for MA in Mass
Communication and Journalism, and this is her final year
at the University. About two months ago, she landed
herself a job as a Reporter. Here she shares her learnings
so far from her first, dream job.
4

5. MAKE CONVERSATIONS:
● Talking to people – auto drivers, vegetable vendors, fruit
sellers- just anybody and everybody around you makes a
lot of difference! As a journalist, it’s important to talk to
people from all walks of life to understand their challenges
& problems.
● Most often, this could be the first hint for a news story and
could further lead to other stories that are interconnected
with them.
5

6. ● From meeting the right people who can give accurate
information to meeting bureaucrats who verify the
information, it is important to network and build sources.
● As a journalist, one gets to meet bureaucrats at public
events, launches, government announcements, general
events etc. It’s important to stay connected with the right
people to file breaking stories and build strong sources.
NETWORK.NETWORK. NETWORK
6

7. 7
BUILD SOURCES:
● The key consequence of networking is building sources!
Most often, the government agencies or representatives of
these agencies refuse to divulge any information.
● If it’s a major news or a controversial affair, the bureaucrats
refuse to comment. On such occasions, it is important to
have sources who can give accurate information.

8. 8
NO ROUTINEIS THE ROUTINE!
● The most challenging part of being a budding journalist,
according to Jahnavi, is the fact that journalists have an
erratic schedule. They will have to attend assignments at
9AM on some days and events at 9PM on certain
occasions.
● Willing to work without expecting 9-5 routine is the key
aspect of getting adjusted to this job.

9. ● Jahnavi says she had freelanced as a content writer
during the lockdown while she was still in her first year
PG course, and stresses that this helped hone her
writing skills. With better writing skills, it’s easier to
convey a story with a message.
● Jahnavi concludes - “Staying determined to what you
want to achieve and working towards the aspiration will
definitely help you reach your goal!”
WORK EXPERIENCEHELPS:
9