Martina
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
On assignment in Dubai
As part of the Reuters Journalism Trainee Program, I started in London with one year spent on a "desk world tour" reporting on commodities and energy, sports, stocks and the foreign exchange market.
After this, I took an international assignment in Dubai to work as an assistant TV producer on Insider, a multimedia information service which produces live markets coverage, analysis and breaking news for the financial professional. As part of this relatively new service, I was able to help develop the format and direction to meet client needs. I reported on top news stories, such as the Dubai debt crisis, and helped to produce video segments with high-level guests joining from Dubai, London or Paris.
Using new technology to break the news
The opportunities I have had through this program have been valuable. As a financial TV producer, I am continually learning and working with fast-changing video technology and systems. I also work on finding ways to involve our customers – through chat rooms and other platforms – to take part in market discussions.
“It’s exciting to operate in a high-speed environment, trying to outpace our market competitors.”
Developing a big-picture focus
In my role, I interact with people around the world from Somali refugees on Socotra Island to the Economy Minister of The Netherlands to marathon athlete Haile Gebrselassie. I like to link various strings of financial and political news to create a bigger picture and wider understanding for our clients.
Natsuko
London, UK
A financial focus
I started as a graduate trainee in Japan covering the Tokyo foreign exchange market. I then spent four months in London with fellow trainees, first in the classroom and then on to general news and equity desks. I finished off my time as a trainee in Singapore, at the Asia desk for general news editing, then the Treasury desk to cover currencies. I later returned to London where I am currently based, and I cover global investment issues for the Investment Strategy Desk.
Covering events despite challenges
When you are out covering an event – sometimes in a country you've never been before – you have to make sure that everything falls into place; you need to get comments from people who (sometimes) do not want to talk to you, you have to file your story ahead of the competition, and your technology must work perfectly even in a country where connections can be volatile. Even with years of experience, this is always a challenge.
A trusted source of news
As a Thomson Reuters journalist, you get incredible access to the world's politicians, CEOs and other movers and shakers because they trust our news.
“You are at the forefront of news that shapes the world – this is a great feeling.”
It is also motivating to be surrounded by highly intellectual colleagues.
Nick
Paris, France
Training for success
The Trainee Program gave me the confidence, financial knowledge and writing skills to be useful as soon as I began working on a reporting desk in London.
“No other news organization invests as much into the training of their reporters.”
From trainee to correspondent
As a trainee, I wrote a story about rent increases at a historic London market that drew the attention of the mayor. As a correspondent, I covered the John Galliano trial, three fashion seasons, wrote a feature about Marseille dock-workers blocking France's oil supply, an in-depth story on welfare fraud and helped to cover the euro zone debt crisis – to name a few high points.
Reporting opportunities
The highlight of my job is its variety. On any given day, I will be asked to report and write stories on topics ranging from political sleaze to economic policy to the history of the Smurf. Few other jobs I know of offer young people the chance to speak as equals to ministers, CEOs and – occasionally – heads of state.