Here’s a testimonial from Nesil Staney, who shared his background and motivation to join the program.
I was a reporter in Mumbai covering the impact of the credit crisis on India’s companies and markets for a national business daily. After four years of financial journalism, I was ready to take a break from work and start an academic stint at a top university in the U.S. The crisis exposed gaping holes in the complex global financial system and the great need for trained financial sleuths in media. There were many important stories that could have been told early, loudly and clearly. This was my big motivation to apply for the fellowship and the BER program at NYU in December 2008.
We also asked Nesil for some thoughts on what journalists thinking about applying should consider. Here’s his response:
The WSJ fellowship is prestigious. It has introduced me to a club of very smart, successful young business journalists and some extremely good mentors. I am learning the ropes of American journalism here. The BER program is designed to create world-class business journalists – it is both rich and intense. The business classes at Stern School, one of the world’s best, where you get trained along with MBA students, is a terrific experience. The program also helps you develop a deep understanding of the evolving structure of media. For those who believe in crisis investing, there is no better time to apply for the WSJ fellowship and to invest your time in this program. While preparing the applications, you should focus and emphasize on your long-term objectives in journalism.
