In this week's episode of OWN IT, we’re talking to Jane Ferguson, a correspondent for PBS Newshour and contributor to The New Yorker. As you might expect, this episode expands our conversation into the world of journalism and how Jane has seen parallel challenges in gender equity and opportunity. Since our industries are not only similar, but intimately intertwined, this conversation is an important one for us to have.
Jane shared her incredible journey to the top levels of journalism, the parallel challenges she faced that women in the agency world can relate to, and had some wonderful thoughts on what we can all do moving forward to continue closing the gaps in both industries.
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Women often face unique challenges in male-dominated fields like journalism. While sometimes being seen as a "novelty" can offer certain advantages in gaining access, a significant hurdle is the industry being run predominantly by men, especially in television news. This leads to unspoken pressures related to appearance and a sense of "ageism" for women, creating a "race against time" in career progression.
Conflict zones, while depicting humanity at its worst, also reveal extraordinary acts of bravery, selflessness, and the full spectrum of human experience. Life persists in rich, textured ways—from humor on the front lines to births in refugee camps—challenging the simplistic view of constant misery. The job of a conflict journalist is to communicate these nuanced human experiences, providing a front-row seat to both history and intimate moments of life.
Female journalists, particularly those in demanding fields like conflict reporting, often get "typecast" or "boxed in" despite their diverse skill sets and profound experiences. The goal is to move beyond the "fetishization" of being a female war reporter and advocate for using female talent more broadly and dynamically across broadcasting, management, and other forms of storytelling. This allows women to pivot in their careers more easily, similar to their male counterparts.
In rapidly evolving industries like journalism, especially with technological advancements, women are increasingly taking control of their careers by diversifying their work into writing, podcasts, documentaries, and even self-employment. This approach allows them to leverage their skills beyond traditional network structures, encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit and breaking away from the assumption that career success must follow a predetermined path.
For young professionals, especially women, it's crucial to develop an authentic voice in their work by focusing on "a job well done" and communicating stories in a way that feels true to themselves, rather than trying to be novel. Additionally, while mentorship is vital, mentees should seek critical assessment and strategic advice from mentors, not just contacts. Demonstrating a genuine desire to learn and improve will ironically lead to mentors opening more doors.
