Jim and Karen Pensiero: two WSJ veterans with great advice for young journalists
Looking at advancements in the journalism industry, inside the Wall Street Journal, and the future for blossoming journalists
Jim and Karen Pensiero are both veterans of the journalism industry. They started at the Wall Street Journal in 1984, Jim shortly — and Karen immediately — after college. Jim began as a copy editor and retired in 2015 as the deputy managing editor, after 31 years committed to the Journal. He now works for Gannett Co., while Karen remains at the Journal — previously the director of newsroom standards, she now leads the project team on workflow for WSJ2020.
“WSJ2020 is an ambitious effort to review all our operations and processes to better position ourselves so we can seize new opportunities in an increasingly digital — especially mobile — world.” Wall Street Journal editor in chief Gerard Baker, in an email to staff this year.
The Pensiero’s knowledge and experience in the industry enables them to offer great advice to young journalists like us. Here are a few of the key points from our conversation, which I wish could have gone on for more than the hour we were fortunate to spend with them.
Changes at the Journal
1. The importance of WSJ2020
The WSJ2020 project is an effort to review the entire operation of the publication. This is a topic that Karen discussed in-depth due to her role in the initiative.
Noting that the Journal already produces great content, she observed that the processes behind it could be better, faster and more precise, which in turn would make what they publish even better.
2. The transition from print to digital
One of the goals of WSJ2020 is to make the shift where content is optimized for digital platforms, especially mobile, rather than print.
Karen identified the importance of analytics and data, and how they can help the Journal realize what their audience clicks, where they stop reading, etc., something they could not do with the print publication. These insights, in turn, can help inform — and shape — editorial strategies and approaches.
3. The continued importance of subscriptions
If you’ve ever tried to read the Journal, you may have found it hard to get their content unless you were a subscriber.
Why the paywall?
As Jim and Karen reminded us, the WSJ’s content is worth the price, it still has a premium value that audiences are willing to pay for.
4. Change isn’t just internal
Alongside this, comes a hard conversation within the company — and with their audience — about change. That often has to be transparent.
Jim argued that you need to be up front and present the facts from the beginning, even though it may not go well. As Karen told us the Journal has not changed who they are or what their mission is, no matter what media platform they are publishing on. Readers, however, may sometimes need to be reminded of that.
Our future: 3 lessons for aspiring journalists
1. Embrace change
In the past decade journalism has changed substantially. The shift from print to digital, and how to tackle that, has been a big challenge for most publications. A lot of people are afraid of change, but in this fast-moving industry, we need to face it head on.
“I don’t think you should be afraid of change.” — Karen Pensiero
We are young journalists. We grew up in a changing time, which makes us well equipped to handle it, analyze it, and do what we need to adjust to changes in our industry.
2. Know how to write
Although each of the young journalists in our cohort has a different focus, whether that be photojournalism, broadcast, feature writing or radio, the Pensiero’s stressed that across all interests, each journalist needs to know how to write.
“Know how to put together a strong, solid story.”
Be a good reporter — if you are, and have other skills as well, that will be something that sets you apart from other candidates.
3. Work hard. Be serious.
Karen’s best piece of advice to our group was:
“Work harder than everybody else.”
Get in to work earlier, stay later, and do more than is expected of you. According to Karen, there are always people who want you to succeed, no matter where you are. So, ask questions if you don’t know the answer — and don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t know everything.
“Be incredibly hungry to do well.” — Karen Pensiero
Take your social media seriously too, we were reminded, because employers look at it, even if you think you are hidden in the dark depths of the web. And, finally, take journalism seriously — it’s serious work.
“Tell the people what they need to know, and that’s the truth.” — Jim Pensiero
