Mahmoud El-Werwary discusses how to navigate a career in media

The skills needed to navigate a career in the media industry were discussed by Mahmoud El-Werwary, TV news presenter and author, during a talk at ESLSCA University on Oct. 9, 2024.

The talk provided New Media and Communication students with advice on the essential skills needed for a career in their field, as well as insights on challenges they might face and how to navigate them.

El-Werwary is the leader and founder of notable channels such as ART, Mehwar, Al Arabiya and Al-Alam. He is also an author with numerous regional awards, including the Arab Poker and the Sheikh Zayed Book Award for his novels Halet Soqout and Kharif Al-Balad Al-Kabir respectively.

“You need to find your passion. It’s not about trying to be like others in the industry,” he said.

El-Werwary started the talk by asking the students about their passions, what inspired them to pursue a degree in media, and urged them to ask themselves, “What do I really want to do?”.

Many media professionals don’t have a degree in media or journalism. Passion is what drives individuals to learn and practice consistently till they reach their goals. El-Werwary asserted that “passion is fundamental for success in the media industry”.

“You should love what you’re doing. It’s okay if your path in media isn’t linear. I started in political science, but I realized my passion for media and transitioned into it,” he shared.

He also explained the importance of having a professional education in media before entering the industry. He stressed that while media in Egypt is mostly in Arabic, getting the degree in English is important since it allows students easier access to global information and international trends.

“Understanding communication theories, journalism principles, and developing strong language skills are crucial,” he explained.

El-Werwary further advised aspiring media professionals to work on their self-confidence, make peace with the fact that making mistakes is inevitable, and that “confidence only comes with practice”.

He then explained that practicing public speaking and presentation skills is of the utmost importance, especially for aspiring broadcasters. He also noted that some individuals may have a tone of voice that makes them suited for a specific role in media rather than another.

“The ability to effectively communicate with millions of people is vital. Overcoming fear is essential to building the confidence needed to succeed in media,” he said.

He followed up by emphasizing that media professionals have a responsibility towards their audience, which is to deliver essential information only. The key is to understand the importance of their role in society and the huge impact they have when it comes to shaping public opinion.

“It’s not just about delivering complex news; even simple, useful updates, like road closures, can have a huge impact,” he explained.

El-Werwary ended the talk by acknowledging that, while the media industry is highly competitive, “by staying up to date with current events and continuously improving, aspiring media professionals can enhance their chances of success.”

He concluded by urging aspiring media professionals to “take advantage of every opportunity; whether it’s an internship, shadowing a mentor, or gaining practical experience.”