Writing for the Web

Everyone is caught in the ‘web of the Web.’ Amidst various Internet-related occupations that are booming in India, the career of web journalism is a relatively nascent field in India. An undying passion for writing prompted me to forsake a mighty pay package at a leading Bombay-based call center to pursue a career in new media. Managing editor for a tech-based website called TechShout.com my job involves editing tech-based news articles written by junior web journalists. Additionally I have to conduct interviews with corporates and CEOs of technology companies and cover press events that take place across the country.

Let me be candid in stating that I never wanted to report on two topics — politics and glamor. Luckily my profession involves neither. This field is less glamorous than the print and television media. It’s not your spoken but the written words that need to make a mark for yourself. Of course, you do have the latest podcast and vodcast media, but they are comparatively new in the country. Our sites cover worldwide technology-based news, thus most happenings in the Indian political or economic sphere would not affect our sites much. Yes, we too cover events but in the technology field they are comparatively very subdued, unless of course you have either a Khan or a Kumar cutting a ribbon at a tech store opening, that’s when you’ll find the glamor.

There is way too much commercialization in today’s journalism. It’s a misconception that true reporting is only when one goes with astronomical sized mikes and cameras to shoot events. I can relate my experience when I had gone to cover a new game launch where Bollywood siren Malaika Arora Khan was present. Instead of questioning Khan on game-related matters the journalists were more concerned about enquiring how she had lost all her stretch marks post pregnancy! That’s how ridiculous it gets at times. So the Indian media and journalists need to learn how to report facts and not spice up things just to attain more television rating points, etc. I am glad I don’t have to go through all this on a daily basis and offer a chatpatta (spicy) read as my site being purely tech-oriented we have to present facts as they are.

Benaifer Mirza (top) and at her workplace (alongside): undying passion for writing

The most important prerequisites for careers in web journalism would be proficiency in the language that is used for writing the articles and an in-depth knowledge of the genre that you are reporting on, be it technology, health, glamor, fashion… With a masters degree in English literature and a diploma in advertising and public relations, I did fit the bill well in the former criterion but being quite a greenhorn in the field of technology I was a little apprehensive initially. Thanks to the support and guidance of my boss I overcame that hurdle. Convinced that degrees don’t train you as aptly for a particular job as much as the practical experience, I took the plunge. The on-the-job experience totally broadened my horizon and helped me gain the right kind of knowledge. But the most important requirement would be a keen passion to learn new things every single day. An open mind with no prejudices and apprehensions is very essential. Sincerity to the job assigned I consider most important.

In the field of new media (Internet) a fresher does not start big, monetarily and designation wise too. The same stood true for me. When I switched careers I earned half the amount I did at my earlier job with Intelenet. But as they say, hard work pays. And today I am extremely satisfied with my career choice, designation and financial returns too. Another thing that I sought was a stable, decent and fun-filled work atmosphere. And luckily, I have got it all here.

One has to be patient with respect to one’s financial returns. If your economic standing does permit you to cut it thin for some time, go ahead and make the slight sacrifice because the long-term returns with respect to money and satisfaction are unfathomable…What is important is the effort and not always the gain.

My tryst with the call center industry left me absolutely exhausted and brain drained. Call centers can offer immense opportunities… but I didn’t belong to the profession. On the nudging of my aunts and a few close friends to look for a job in the writing terrain, I took the drastic decision of quitting my call center job. I posted my resumé on various recruitment sites and scanned vacancies on the "monsterjob” site to pursue my undying passion for writing. My parents, close family and friends were more than encouraging and supportive. This is what kept up my spirits…

The two people who have always been like strong pillars in any and every step that I have taken in the 25 years of my life with respect to my education and work are my parents, Dolly and Jimmy. The Zoroastrian religion and the freedom of choice enjoined in its tenets has enabled me to choose a vocation of my liking and interest.

With even 10-year-olds becoming wizards at computers in the present day and thanks to the awareness and knowledge of computers and the Internet that is gripping the world, careers in web journalism are going to burgeon in the coming years. Everyone should follow his/her passion with grit for it is better to have tried and lost than never to have tried at all. However clichéd it may sound, "Never say never.”