What is your job about?
As a Junior Content Producer for GMA News Online, I monitor social media trends to write about them. I also have a special focus on music and pop culture journalism. I write on what is happening in the entertainment world and go on the ground when needed. We write about eight stories a day, do pitch meetings, and interview personalities for them.
What is your background and how did it help you in your current career?
I was not a good student but I loved to read books and constantly wrote my thoughts down. One day I thought, “What if I just write down my own stories?” and so I did. Writing also served as an outlet for me. Whenever I had a bad day, I would write about it. You could say my journaling tendencies carried over to my career.
Come college application season, I started thinking about the things that I was good at. Writing came to mind, so I considered Journalism or Communications, then Psychology. Ultimately, I chose to major in Organizational Communications at De La Salle University (DLSU). It was rumored to be the hardest of all the arts programs in De La Salle and I agree. The core subjects were especially hard. It had come to a point where I was questioning whether I was on the right path but I didn’t give up.
My first professional writing experience was when I contributed to the Manila Times for their Campus Press section while I was in my final year of University. We were given the freedom to write about topics we were interested in and that allowed me to enjoy what I was writing.
Equipped with my training from DLSU and my writing experience, I landed my job here at GMA News Online. Even though I had previous experience in advertising and marketing, I have always felt like Journalism was my calling.
How does the company make you grow? What do they do to further hone your skills?
They train us by getting us on the ground and giving us opportunities for hands-on learning. We mess up and learn as we go since the industry is fast-paced and demanding. In GMA, they are constructive with their criticisms and they let us know what was wrong and how it could be better.
What do you like about your job?
I like that I can grow within the company and I can see myself lasting in this company. They allow us to have creative freedom and let us grow as a writer. They let us express our writing style. We also have a good work-life balance despite the demanding industry. The job also comes with a lot of benefits.
What do you not like about your job?
Some cons would be the tough workload. We have to produce eight stories a day and, aside from the daily stories, we also have special projects chugging in the background that require our attention. It really drains my energy.
Did you consider other career paths in the company?
I think I would have considered other career paths that work behind the scenes in TV/ film productions, such as a screenwriter or producer. I would have become one if I was not a Junior Content Producer.
What three pieces of advice would you give to fresh graduates?