TIME OUT with Pearl Forss
Senior Reporter, Assignments
Television
Channel NewsAsia

As a television journalist with Channel NewsAsia for more than four and a half years, Pearl Forss has been covering diverse and engaging stories and interviewing people from all walks of life; spanning from our Singapore shores to faraway Asian countries like Pakistan.

Pearl shares more with JobsDB Campus about her passion for journalism.


1. Pearl, what inspired you to pursue a career in journalism?

While growing up, I used to watch a lot of news on TV, and thought that reporters had really interesting jobs. It also seemed really exciting to be right in the centre of witnessing life unfolding - this is what attracted me to the profession.

I decided to study Economics and Sociology at the National University of Singapore as I believe that as a journalist, it’s important to understand Economics as it’s central to society, and to be a well-grounded person through the Social Sciences.

Later on, I pursued a one year full time Masters in Media Studies at Goldsmith College, London. It was the best year of my life as I got to interact with many fascinating people from all over the world who passionately shared about their opinions and ideas, so that was a really inspiring experience for me.

2. What do you enjoy about being a reporter?

It’s great waking up everyday and looking forward to meeting and interviewing new people and reporting interesting stories. I also enjoy the creative process of putting a story together so that it is comprehensible to everyone from all walks of life – be it from a Chief Executive Officer to a taxi driver.

3. Are there any career highlights so far?

One particular field assignment that moved me was when I was reporting on the Pakistan earthquake in 2005.

The earthquake was a massive natural disaster that took many lives and displaced a few million people. At the field hospital in Pakistan from where I was based, I saw injured victims undergoing operations without anesthesia; and overseas aid workers who were busy helping out without any regard for their own safety.

The whole international community bonded together with a sense of purpose in a difficult time. This made me believe that it’s in the worst of human conditions that you witness the best of human strength.

4. What challenges do you face in your job?

As journalists, we have tight deadlines to complete an assignment, so we work on an adrenalin rush most times. It can also be challenging when we don’t have much time to research on a story which we are assigned to.

5. How do you like to relax and unwind?

Travelling is great, and I’ve visited 40 countries. I also enjoy scuba diving (it’s great being in such a different world!) and Similan Island in Thailand is one of my favourite diving spots.

I love listening to electronic music and while I was studying in London, I also tried my hand at DJ-ing. Armin Van Buuren, Above and Beyond, and DJ Tiesto are my favourite music artists.

6. What qualities do you think a good journalist needs to have?

• Determination
• Ability to work under stress
• Perceptive
• Sometimes aggressive, but always humble
• Well read – if you don’t have a passion for current affairs, you’ll burn out very soon

7. Any tips for young people who want to pursue a career in journalism?

Get more involved in campus life as it isn’t just about grades that will help you to get ahead in journalism. At uni, it’s good to attend conferences; go for internships to get more exposure to different aspects of society, and to learn new ideas about life. Travelling abroad is also good to broaden one’s mindset.