Things you need for a successful career in media

With more than a decade of experience in business news television, one of the most seasoned stock market anchors – Ayesha Faridi defines 10 pre-requisites, absolutely necessary for a successful career in media. Here’s what it takes to own your career and do it right, the Ayesha Faridi way:

1. Discipline

   You snooze, you lose, so snooze on time! It’s about delivering on timelines on a daily and hourly basis. Be it professional or personal, every minute and second counts, sleep on time, wake up on time, deliver on time, it runs like clockwork.

2. Hard work

   No escaping this. Be ready for long hours, compromising on social life and making your work your priority. News doesn’t stop for anyone and thanks to social media and smartphones, nor does work. Be ready to be on call and wired-in at all times.

3. Perseverance

   It’s about being at it consistently. It’s not about one show or one interview… it’s about building your credibility over a period of time.

4. Intellect

   A good break and hard work can only take you that far. You need to have the aptitude and understanding on the subject, being a news hound and having a feel for the numbers when in business news, helps. 

5. Ambition

   You got to want it and want it bad. If you don’t have the drive, the passion, the gumption to go for it in the ultra-competitive world of media.. you won’t stand a chance.

6. Mental + Physical health 

   The newsroom is full of action and emotion! It’s a place of extremes, and sure not for the weak-hearted. You need to be strong and focussed. .You can’t get derailed by the daily newsroom fights and deadlines, got to fight the pressure. A fit body goes a long way. The red-eye shifts, long hours sitting in the studio with bright lights. You do need to be physically fit, keep the endorphins up and be the best version of you. 

7. Multi-tasking

   Gone are the 9-5 days where you worked in silos. You’ve got to be able to juggle it all. A news anchor must know how to put news flashes, cut bytes, research and vice-versa.

8. Networking skills

   It’s all about people. Whether it be your colleagues, your guests or going out there and speaking to your sources… have to work on people skills and on building important relationships.

9. Quick thinker

   Unfortunate as it may be, we have only seconds to deliver news on time, every time. You’ve got to be alert, prompt and quick. Speed, especially in today’s digital age, is a must.

10. Compassion

    Have a heart! Most newsrooms average out between age 25-35, and believe me there’s lots other than just work that you’ll guide them through. Nurturing, mentoring, guiding and sometimes just a listening ear is what you’d be.

About Ayesha Faridi:

With more than a decade of experience in business news television, Ayesha Faridi is one of the most seasoned stock market anchors. A lead anchor on ET Now’s flagship shows, The Market & First Trades and afternoon show, Closing Trades, her expertise in analysing macro & micro trends, company fundamentals, investigative & sector-based reports, make her the viewers’ trusted guide. As the News Editor at ET Now, Ayesha also heads the digital vertical where she oversees the social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and, co-creates original digital content.

Prior to joining ET Now as a Markets Anchor, she has worked as an anchor and research analyst at CNBC TV18, she has worked as a reporter and producer with the BBC World Service and MTV India.