WEST ORANGE, Nj — Journalism classes at West Orange High School were given the special opportunity to be included in a seminar, headlined by managing editor of The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Karen Pensiero who resides in Verona, NJ. She covered a range of conversation topics, from her rural roots in the Midwest to working her way up in the Big Apple.

As a kid, Pensiero grew up in Missouri, with an exposure to news quickly bombarding her household as her parents kept three local newspaper subscriptions active during her youth. Heading into her teen years, she was involved with the high school paper, earning the role of co-Editor-in-Chief along the way. Pensiero mentioned that this position fueled her passion even more. It was a drive that has stuck with her throughout her career. She credited her journalism teacher as an important figure who was knowledgeable in the craft, and Pensiero took that knowledge with her to the University of Missouri.

Looking to pursue a career in journalism, she sought an internship at the WSJ. She was as hands-on as can be during her tenure there and not just a “coffee run person,” according to the managing editor herself. She soon received a full-time gig in New York City.

Pensiero expressed that, “The way you get hired in journalism is how you get hired anywhere else,” and also mentioned, “The most important aspect of keeping a job is to be hard working. Show up earlier than everyone and leave later than everyone else.”

As of now, Pensiero believes that young readers will be increasingly willing to pay for a trusted news source as they do with other services such as Netflix and Spotify. Pensiero believes that a trusted news source will reach the same value as other services, such as Netflix and Spotify.

According to Pensiero, the online paper also has its own challenges, popular online user hours limit the paper with a small window of opportunity to publish the major stories of the day with the greatest impact. Pensiero works with employees at the Wall Street Journal to help ensure articles are out by a certain time, in order to accommodate online visitors. She takes her job seriously and executes orders passionately.

“Journalism is essential, because it helps shine light on issues that may not be heard of until now,” she said. “It is a voice for the oppressed and puts the people in power in question.”