Gathering mass amounts of research, making countless edits and breaking the most controversial news is what some people believe are the only things journalists do. However, that’s not true, especially for Thai Phi Le, currently a managing editor for Industry Dive, which consists of 23 different publications. 

Le majored in English and minored in Journalism at George Washington University in D.C and graduated in 1999. She hadn’t thought about being a journalist, but her professors at GW encouraged her to do so. 

“I love journalism, but it’s a tough industry to be in,” said Le during a Zoom interview Oct. 5. 

There are various types of journalism career paths to go down. Le had written for the Washington Lawyer before starting her current job under the business industry of journalism. Le describes this type of journalism as interesting and a “whole new side to journalism some people don’t know much about.” 

She is in charge of editing four publications (Food Dive, Restaurant Dive, Grocery Dive, Marketing Dive) that are all under the Industry Dive media company. Since Le is an editor, her assigned reporters produce stories and she edits about eight to nine daily. She has the ability to assign a certain topic and an angle to a reporter. When editing, she constantly checks the resources used in articles.

“It’s important to have several sources that can corporate [with a story] and backup the analysis,” Le stated.

Finding a career in journalism whether it’s a reporter, breaking the hard news, or an editor that revises a plethora of various stories, takes determination and good time management to be able to keep up with daily stories. 

“If you work hard, you can do it,” she said. Le’s success at Industry Dive is only increasing, “our company is growing like crazy,” she said. They’ve welcomed over 50 new people to the team in three years. 

For those thinking of becoming a journalist one day, Le has some advice, “You have got to be curious. You want to be able to speak to your source and engage yourself in the conversation. Find the other angle that other reporters aren’t telling.”