From Scholarship Recipient to Newsroom Leader: Megan Hess’s Full-Circle Journey with NYWICI
For Megan Hess, the Vice President of Academic Engagement at New York Women in Communications (NYWICI), her connection to the organization isn’t just professional; it’s deeply personal and spans her entire career. Her journey with NYWICI began during her undergraduate years at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, where she was introduced to the organization and, notably, awarded a scholarship.
“That scholarship was incredibly meaningful,” Megan recalls. “It wasn’t just financial support; it was an early vote of confidence and an introduction to a community that would become so important in my professional life.”
Even in those early days, Megan’s commitment to NYWICI was obvious. She actively volunteered on committees, laying the groundwork for her eventual leadership role. After several years of dedicated involvement, she ultimately joined the board. Her path then took an international turn when she relocated to Hong Kong, a move that would prove to be a significant personal and professional challenge and growth opportunity.
Upon her return to New York, the NYWICI community welcomed her back with open arms. “It was so meaningful to be able to move back to New York and reconnect with women who were genuinely interested in getting me involved again,” she shares. This re-engagement led to a new and exciting position on the board, focusing on outreach and partnerships with colleges and universities, a role that perfectly blended her passion for education and her dedication to fostering new talent.
The Power of Diverse Connections
What truly resonates with Megan about NYWICI is its remarkable diversity. “It’s probably the diversity of thought and approach to things, and the types of people you get to meet and be exposed to, that allows you to make deeper connections,” she explains. While her daily professional life at Bloomberg, where she has worked for nine years, often surrounds her with editors, NYWICI offers a different landscape. “[NYWICI] has a variety of backgrounds, so you can see what other companies are doing and how other people think, along with the ability to mentor and connect with other women.”
Megan’s career journey itself has been a testament to her proactivity and vision. “I’ve worked in several roles that I’ve built for myself,” she notes, highlighting her ability to identify opportunities and forge her journey. This proactive mindset is a core principle of her professional philosophy: “Be curious and don’t stop learning. Seize opportunities you think will help you grow. Surround yourself with people you can learn from.” She emphasizes the importance of building genuine, deep relationships.
Leading in a Transforming Era and Embracing IKIGAI
Last year, Megan further invested in her leadership skills by graduating from the yearlong Executive Program in News Innovation and Leadership at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. The program brings together news executives from around the world to learn about leading in an era of transformation and innovation while building strong, smart teams. “I was meeting people from all over the world, and I was really proud of making the time for that,” she says, highlighting the value of continuous learning.
From the CUNY program, Megan took away invaluable insights. “There were a lot of tactics to working with people who have different styles than you do,” she recounts. “It’s easy to build a team with similar styles, but you want to have a diverse team with different life experiences. Just because other people do things different ways, doesn’t mean it is wrong.”
Another concept that deeply resonated with her was IKIGAI, a Japanese concept meaning “a reason for being.” “We learned about it in classes, and thinking about it from a work perspective and where you want your career to go, in terms of purpose and meaning along with career goals, was very impactful,” she explains.
Beyond her demanding role at Bloomberg and her NYWICI board responsibilities, Megan also runs a website on the side called No Joe Schmo, where she profiles individuals with “off the beaten path jobs.” This personal project allows her to indulge her innate curiosity: “I’m able to talk to interesting people about what makes them tick, which was one of the reasons I got into this field in the first place.”
A Leap of Faith: Living in Hong Kong
Megan’s decision to move to Hong Kong for five years was a significant, yet ultimately rewarding chapter in her life. “Moving to Hong Kong was a big leap,” she admits, though the transition was eased by moving with Bloomberg, which provided a built-in network of colleagues and company support. “It was scary because I didn’t know anyone or if I would like it, but I wanted to challenge myself.” Her interest in China, cultivated during her undergraduate studies, also fueled her desire to explore the region. What was intended to be a year-long stay blossomed into a five-year adventure!
Getting Started with NYWICI: Just Show Up
For those considering joining NYWICI but unsure where to begin, Megan’s advice is straightforward and simple: “A great first step is coming to one of the events. They are a great way to see friendly faces.” She vividly remembers the generosity of the NYWICI community when she returned from Hong Kong, highlighting the welcoming atmosphere.
“The content is widely interesting, and just hearing women share their stories and perspectives is incredibly insightful.” She emphasizes that the intimate approach that NYWICI events build fosters genuine connections and opens up the conversation for interactive and open dialogue that may have the possibility of leading to lifelong relationships. For those seeking deeper involvement, she suggests joining a committee, volunteering for an event, or even the WomenHeard podcast. “There are lots of ways to get to know people, and you can always reach out to any board member if you have questions or want to run some ideas by them.”
Megan Hess’s journey is a powerful example to the enduring value of community, continuous learning, and embracing opportunities, especially with NYWICI. From scholarship recipient to board member, she embodies the very essence of NYWICI’s mission to empower women in communications.
It was truly inspiring being able to hear from her and discuss her professional and personal achievements that have shaped the woman that she is today!
Check out her website at: nojoeschmo.com!
Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism Executive Program in News Innovation and Leadership: https://www.journalism.cuny.edu/j-plus/executive-program/
