Pooja Shah, a brilliant and energetic New York City lawyer making a difference. Not just a skilled lawyer, she is also a dedicated journalist and an award winning author raising awareness about important issues such as human rights, gender equality, culture, wellness, and social commentary. During an interactive session with TINDS, Pooja shared her perception regarding the issues she writes about and her life managing two roles of a professional at once.
TINDS: Tell us a little about your childhood.
Pooja: I was born in Gujarat, India. My parents brought me to America when I was two and a half years old. We relocated to Queens, New York, which was an exciting time for me given the cultural differences. I attended primary school in the Bronx, high school and college in Boston, and law school in New York.
TINDS: Tell us a little about your childhood.
Pooja: I was born in Gujarat, India. My parents brought me to America when I was two and a half years old. We relocated to Queens, New York, which was an exciting time for me given the cultural differences. I attended primary school in the Bronx, high school and college in Boston, and law school in New York.
Tinds: Three words that best describe you?
Pooja: Friendly, honest, and goal-oriented.
Tinds: Tell us how you manage your time and responsibilities as an attorney and a journalist.
Pooja: Oh man, lots of coffee! However, time management is critical for me. I usually write on weekends and edit them in the evenings. Both of these jobs are very important to me, and I want to do well in both of them. There’s so much more I want to do in journalism, such as collaborate with different editors and write more stories. For which I must constantly pitch and keep up with industry events. I still have a long way to go I believe, and I’m committed to pursuing my dream jobs in both fields.
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TINDS: Do you think having studied law gave you a competitive advantage in journalism?
Pooja: Being a lawyer and a writer has been beneficial. My background as a lawyer gave me instant credibility when I first started because people knew I could work hard and meet deadlines and definitely because I have legal knowledge. I could understand the jargon and explain it to most people without them becoming confused about it.
TINDS: Do you have enough time for yourself and those you care about after working in two fields?
Pooja: I have to be honest and open about my goals and dreams as a writer. I’m willing to make sacrifices and prioritize my writing, but I also communicate this to those around me so they understand.
TINDS: How did you get jobs with major corporations?
Pooja: Instagram was a game changer for me when I was starting out as a writer. I remember sending random messages to an editor whose work I had read for years not long after I began writing. I expressed an interest in becoming a writer and asked if I could write her a story. She asked me to come up with some ideas, and one of them worked, so that became my first byline. I got to know her better after that, and she put me in touch with other editors at the magazine. I was able to land those jobs thanks to my network of people in the same industry. But just like in any other business, things can change, and there can be slow times. I have written for over 20 publications till now which includes VOGUE India, Grazia India, HuffPost, Oprah Daily, INSIDER, Well+Good, The Established, GQ India, CNET, Glamour, Teen Vogue, Allure, The Takeout, Signature Bride and more.
TINDS: How do you find information about the things you’re going to write about?
Pooja: I frequently use platforms like Quoted to find experts for my stories. They have a great selection of vetted experts and media professionals. I tend to use social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter to find case studies or subjects to interview. One of the best aspects of using social media for research is that you never know who you’ll meet. While researching my story, I met someone who lives in Hong Kong, and we still text each other now and then. It’s incredible how you can form relationships with people all over the world simply because you’re looking for a source for a story.
TINDS: What would you be if not an attorney or a journalist?
Pooja: To be honest, I enjoy learning in general and would like to become a professor one day. Helping someone else learn is an excellent way to continue learning yourself.
TINDS: How do you think the market will react if artificial intelligence content writers take over?
Pooja: As a journalist, I can see why it would be appealing to use AI tools to save time, but I don’t feel comfortable using them to write stories that involve gathering private or sensitive information. In terms of the impact of AI on jobs, I believe the job market will change and shift. While some jobs may be lost, new opportunities will emerge in other areas. That is why I believe it is critical to focus on developing transferable skills, so that if your job is impacted, you will still be able to adapt and succeed in other areas.
TINDS: What advice do you have for people who want to or are thinking about getting into journalism?
Pooja: It’s fine to start small with content writing, ghostwriting, or blog writing. Also, remember to network with others in your field, both online and offline. The key is to be determined, committed and to think outside the box. If a certain beat isn’t working, try something else, get those bylines, and switch.
| Find Her:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poojashah1130/ Website: https://www.pooja-shah.com |
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