Ms. Stephanie Samuel
It’s our pleasure to feature Ms. Stephanie Samuel, journalist and reporter, in our Sister of Impact series. As a reporter with over nine years of experience on the field, Ms. Samuel has written for various publications, including the AFRO-American, The Prince George’s Sentinel and the Christian Post. Today, she speaks to us about her experience as a woman of color in her field, kindly offering us a glance into what it means to be a woman of color at work in her world.
Hi Stephanie, thank you for joining The Corporate Sister as a guest contributor. Can you start off by telling us a bit about yourself?
Stephanie Samuel: I am a reporter with over nine years of experience writing for various print and online publications. In that time I’ve been blessed enough to interview major newsmakers from 2008 presidential candidate Mike Huckabee to actor Laz Alonso. I’ve also learned that there are many hurdles facing professional women of color from being the only one in the room to being overlooked for advancement. It is my desire to encourage readers to defy the odds and push forward in their careers.
How has being a woman of color affected your career?
Stephanie Samuel: In many ways being a double minority (Black and female) gives me an advantage. I have a unique view of the world and I incorporate that viewpoint into every pitch, every interview and every article. However my biggest struggle has been exchanging notes, so to speak, about the industry with other women of color. Unfortunately some of us harbor a sense of competition and one-upmanship because we fear of being surpassed or replaced by an energetic newcomer. I believe that for all women of color to truly thrive in the professional arena, we must be willing to open the door for others.
What has helped you, and also what has hindered you in achieving your full potential at work?
Stephanie Samuel: The key for me has always been to challenge myself. When I started writing in college, I was terrified of interviewing strangers because I wasn’t confident about myself and ability. So for every story I challenged myself to approach people and get them to talk to me. Succeeding at that challenge gave me the confidence to take on another challenge and another challenge and another. Never stop pushing yourself.
You’ve accomplished so much in your career, and I’m sure you’re planning on accomplishing even more. What are you most proud of?
Stephanie Samuel: My proudest moment is working as a freelancer for the AFRO-American newspaper. Before becoming a freelance writer, I had graduated from college with no internships to speak of and no job leads. I didn’t know what it meant to be a freelancer but I knew I wanted to write for a living. Looking back on it, I can’t believe that my shy 20-year-old self walked into that newsroom and negotiated a job. It was truly a leap of faith. But without that leap, I would not have the career I have now.
If you were allowed a “do-over”, what would you do differently in your career, and how?
Stephanie Samuel: While I have made some embarrassing mistakes, I would never want a do over. I believe my mishaps help me to become better at my craft. The secret to turning a mistake into a valuable lesson is to get pass the emotion and ask myself what could I have done differently.
What books have helped/motivated you in your career, if any?
Stephanie Samuel: Two Books – At Home in the World by the late Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl and But Enough about Me by Rolling Stone Writer and MTV VJ Jancee Dunn. Pearl writes with a curiosity and lust for life that I admire. Dunn’s memoir is a lot fun but it also offers great tips for interviewing high-profile people.
Last but not least, if you had to give only three tips to women in general, and women of color in particular, as to how to be successful and happy in their careers, what would these be?
Stephanie Samuel: My tips would be join a professional group to connect with others in your field, continually strive to top your best performance, and find ways to achieve work-life balance so you don’t burn out.
Thank you so much, Stephanie!
Readers, any other questions for Stephanie? For those of you who are in the journalism field, or would like to enter this field, would you like to contribute to the conversation?
The Corporate Sis.
