Unlocking The Mysteries Behind Leadership

Oct. 30, 2009

Ever since I found out about the Executive Leadership Program, I wanted to apply. The program was the key to unlocking the mysteries behind leadership.

Minorities tend to leave the journalism industry at the 5-year-mark. Many are disillusioned, not only after years of working in an industry that goes against their family’s wishes, but also having little chance of being promoted into leadership.

As the first born in the States and the first female in my family to carve a career, I’ve had to figure out a lot by myself. Journalism was considered risky by my immigrant parents, who sacrificed a lot to come to America. I did not want to let them down. But, I also knew that the Asian population never spoke up. We never discussed our news, good or bad, so stereotypes ran rampant. So, I was determined to be my community’s microphone – to represent the young, female, immigrant and Asian.

But after years in the industry, I ran into the same walls as those before me. Managers spoke about my “potential,” yet I was never able to realize this “potential.” But, the Executive Leadership Program provided me the blueprint to gain that footing to climb upwards.

The program gave me confidence. I was becoming the full package. And, this year, I was also accepted to another leadership program, the Executive Development Institute, for minority professionals aiming for management. I am also working on my Executive MBA at the University of Washington. Since finishing the Executive Leadership Program, I have also directed the first fully multimedia enabled student project for the Asian American Journalists Association. Google has invited me to speak on the pioneering aspects of that newsroom. And at my work, The Seattle Times, I am also directing the social networking committee.

In short, the Executive Leadership Program gave me a backbone for my future. Thank you AAJA for giving me this amazing opportunity to better myself.

Marian Liu covers arts and entertainment at The Seattle Times.

The 2010 Newspaper Association of America Foundation Minority Fellowship for ELP and other programs is now available. The deadline to apply is December 4.