Karen Kesawathany
Bachelor of Communication (Hons) Journalism
Class of Aug 2008

This is an interview with one of our UTAR alumni, Kesawathany who graduated from FAS in 2008 regarding her career as a Journalist.

I = Interviewer            K = Kesawathany

I : Please tell us briefly about your experience in finding your dream job after graduation and why you choose your current career?

K : I have always wanted to do Law since young but changed my mind after finding out more about Journalism at the age of 16 (2000). I was particularly touched by a documentary that I watched in 2001 about a female journalist who risked her life just to uncover the torturous lives of Afghan women and children under the Taliban's terrorism. I was so amazed by the journalist's passion and courage that I decided to be a journalist at that very moment. My mother was very supportive but my father was not very happy with the idea. However, he never stops me from pursuing my passion. Later, during my course of study in UTAR, I was sent for Industrial Training for four months at The Sun (thanks Ms. Sharon Wilson). The experience was extremely challenging yet so interesting that I applied for a job with the organization soon after graduating from UTAR and was accepted. I choose this career because that is what I want to do and have never regretted the decision till today.

I : How long have you been in your profession?

K : About seven months-since June in 2008.

I : Can you describe briefly your job scope in journalism?

K : I do what you call the general news, mostly about social issues, a bit of politics and sometimes marketing and business. I do not want to specialize in any specific area yet because I want to get involved in everything before choosing my niche area. There id still so much to learn and I am taking my time to do it step by step.

I : What are the challenges that you face in your career?

K : First and foremost it is to find a good and specific angle for the report besides providing accurate information that can answer all the 5Ws and 1H questions. Getting the comment "...These angles have been covered before, you haven't been keeping up with the news..." from your editor even after you have given him several angles is not a fun thing at all. Keeping up with all the news surrounding you is another problem due to time constraint. However, it is necessary for a journalist to be well-read as it is a job requirement. For instance, once I had to interview an Economics professor from UM regarding the issue of poverty on very short notice on behalf of a colleague. Speaking with an economist with all the economic jargon was not an easy task for me. Luckily, I met Dr. Carmen (Dean, FCI) who helped to brainstorm some points on the issue and it helped a lot during the interview. Special thanks to her. This is an experience which taught me that a journalist should be well-informed in every aspect. Besides, building and expanding a good network of contacts is also a challenge due to my tender age in this field. However, I believe the solution is just a matter of time. Lastly, as a journalist, I realize that to possess your own transport is extremely important due to the nature of the job which requires you to travel a lot. I don't have my own transport and that is why it is still a challenge for me now.

I : What are your achievements so far? Can you share with us some of your achievements in this career?

K : My greatest achievement now is that I have become who I wanted to be- a Journalist. Actually, it is still very early to count on my achievements since I have just joined this field for seven months. Now, every single day is a learning process for me. I am really grateful that the organization is providing me with a good training platform. They sent me for exposure trip to Ijok during my internship and provided me the chance to learn from a senior editor by sending me to co-interview the former premier Tun Dr Mahathir's son, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir (Jerlun MP). It was indeed an eye opening experience to witness how skillfully the senior editor put forth his questions and made the whole interview seem like a casual conversation.

K : I am truly not sure of what the future holds for me but I know I want to go on and grow with this profession as long as possible. I would like to travel and work with international media to obtain more experiences. I want to follow my senior journalists' footsteps in growing and benefiting others because this is an industry that lives and grows for the people.

I : What are the motivational factors that drive you on in this career?

K : The biggest motivational factor is my passion for journalism. Although there are times when I get very upset with the way things are and how people conform to the world, I believe that I can make a difference with my writings' just like the starfish story that my mum told me. She is my great motivator. Whenever I feel lost, mother's words could always guide and comfort me. Besides, I always remind myself of this Bible verse : "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it bears much fruit." Nothing comes easy in life but knowing solely is insufficient, we need to experience it.

I : Is there any motivational advice or special message to UTAR alumni and the fellow students?

K : First of all, I would like to thank all my lecturers, some of whom are my good friends now like Dr. Carmen Nge, Ms.Surita Mogan and also Ms.Sharon Wilson. These are the people who made me believe that I have made the right choice by choosing Journalism. As for the students, life is not about me, myself and I. Every decision I take, does not just affect me but also my significant others and those around me. Therefore do not make selfish decisions and remember that everyone is born into this world for a reason - a mission. So seek out the mission, discover it and work towards fulfilling it. We can make a difference!