The Executive Director of Media Career Development Network, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin has advised female journalists to have a career plan to guarantee their success in the profession despite the state of the industry.
Otufodunrin spoke last Friday at a capacity-building Workshop for entry-level female journalists organised by the Publisher of BONews, Blessing Oladunjoye as her project for the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) Female Reporters Leadership Programme.
He emphasized the importance of knowing what they want to accomplish in their career and also advised the participants to find ways to overcome the challenges they may face on the job.
Considering the generally poor pay in the sector, Otufodunrin said journalists need to consider having multiple streams of income by taking advantage of remote jobs, and be on the lookout for various local and global opportunities.
The media career development specialists also highlighted ways in which female journalists can break leadership limitations in the newsroom including the following:
*Female leaders should demonstrate leadership potential by stepping up to take responsibility when necessary.
*They should actively contribute in meetings as editors in the newsroom, regardless of their gender.
*Attending training can help female journalists learn valuable skills that will make them indispensable.
*They should make themselves available for relevant opportunities and assignments.
On how to have the necessary support system, the former Managing Editor of The Nation Newspaper suggested having a good working relationship with colleagues, seeking mentors both within and outside their organizations and actively participating in professional networks.
