Ask anyone who is job hunting, and they will likely tell you that finding employment can be hard. Journalism is no exception. You’d need to find job listings on websites or Facebook pages, send an application, and hope it doesn’t get lost in a sea of emails, and only then can you actually begin the job interview process, which itself is another exercise in stress.
But sometimes the stars metaphorically align to present you with an opportunity.
That is exactly what happened with Keshet Neev. A chance encounter on an airline flight between her friend and a member of The Jerusalem Post’s Breaking News Desk led to a job opportunity found in the sky. She was eventually given an interview – I know, because I was the one who interviewed her.
But Neev wasn’t the only lucky one in this encounter – so were we. Since joining the Post, she has been nothing short of incredible as a journalist.
When she was on the Breaking News Desk, just knowing she was on shift was enough to instill a sense of positive morale among the team. Her regular schedule every Thursday – known as “Keshet Thursdays” – were always the calmest because we knew that no matter what happened, Neev was there, so the news would be covered smoothly and effectively.
Now she has moved beyond the Breaking News Desk to become the Post’s new Knesset correspondent – a role in which she is excelling. For someone whose job here came due to an encounter in the sky, it is only fitting that the sky is the limit for how far she can go.
In Jerusalem sat down with Neev to talk about her work at the newspaper.
What brought you to Israel?
My parents are originally Israeli. I was born and raised in Calgary, but when I was 14 years old, my family decided to move here, and I have lived here ever since.
What got you interested in journalism?
I became interested in journalism because I always loved to write, and I wanted to develop my writing further. I loved reading and storytelling, and I believe writing has the ability to make a big impact. Journalism is an outlet where that can all come together. Stories that you write can give readers knowledge that they didn’t know before, can share powerful and important stories, and pass on critical information.
What brought you to the ‘Post’?
I lived pretty close to The Jerusalem Post’s offices, and I would always pass by, look at the sign outside and think about working there one day to pursue my career in journalism. But I always joke that my career came from the sky because it literally did.
My best friend flew to the US, and she happened to sit next to Joanie Margulies, who was working on the Breaking News Desk at the time. They got to speaking, and my friend told Joanie that I love to write and want to pursue a career in journalism. Joanie got me an interview, and the rest is history after that.
What was it like working on the Breaking News Desk?
Working on the Breaking News Desk was an adventure. It was pretty challenging at first but it got easier, and those challenges are what pushed me to grow. I worked with some incredible mentors and colleagues who really taught me how to report and how to develop my writing, how to work under pressure in a fast-paced news environment.
Also, working on the desk involves a lot of teamwork, and I loved working with the team.
What is it like being the Knesset reporter?
Being a Knesset reporter is a different kind of challenge, and one I view as a real privilege to have the opportunity to do. It’s a dynamic and fast-paced job, since there’s always something new happening in Israeli politics. Getting to the bottom of what’s really going on amid all the noise and reports, and deciding which stories are the most important to cover and how to report on them best can sometimes be the hardest part.
The Knesset itself is such a diverse place filled with so many different kinds of people, which makes it incredible to have the chance to serve as a window for others into what’s happening there. There’s a lot of room for creativity, and so many people to speak to.
The Knesset deals with almost every issue in the country, from the passage of laws impacting Israel’s security to the state budget and more. I’ve also covered committee meetings that included women giving testimony about sexual abuse, bereaved families speaking out, and the struggles faced by new immigrants and soldiers. Writing about these issues so that they are shared is part of what makes the job feel really meaningful.
What advice do you have for aspiring journalists?
Don’t give up – even if it’s challenging at first and you’re not perfect. If you start out small and keep pushing yourself forward to learn and try new things, you won’t believe how far you can go and how much you can achieve.