Life as a breaking news reporter at Bloomberg: “No two days are the same.”

As a global leader in business and financial information, Bloomberg delivers trusted news that helps readers stay a step ahead of the markets. This is made possible thanks to our award-winning team of talented journalists, who produce roughly 5,000 stories a day across business, markets, politics, and more. 

As Natalie Choy, a Breaking News Editor at Bloomberg Singapore, shares, “no two days are the same because of the sheer range of topics we cover.” Here, she shares about life at Bloomberg, her career growth and more.

What attracted you to work at Bloomberg? How did you know it would be a good fit?

I started my career at a local news publication, but my end goal was always to join a global organization to broaden my skills and network. Bloomberg has many bureaus across the world and is always on top of market-moving news. I really like that the company is driven to be best-in-class in all the products and services it offers. At Bloomberg, there are so many opportunities and resources that support both my short- and long-term ambitions.

When I interviewed for the role, I felt really comfortable with my future managers who seemed genuinely interested in my concerns and career goals. There’s less hierarchy here than in other newsrooms, and I can be completely honest with my questions and feedback. This is a refreshing change from my previous job where feedback was not always two-way.

What are you responsible for in your current role?

Speed and accuracy are key in my team. We’re responsible for putting headlines and stories on the wire in real-time as news breaks. This involves making split-second decisions on what would matter most to our clients. No two days are the same because of the sheer range of topics we cover. 

What are you working on right now that excites or inspires you?

I am working toward building sharper news judgment and sending headlines out faster. It’s rewarding to break news faster than our key competitors — often by a matter of seconds — and deliver the biggest news to our clients first!

What do you value most about your company’s or team’s culture? What sets it apart from other places you’ve worked?

My team is ultra competitive, but also extremely collaborative — two seemingly opposite values that somehow just work perfectly on this team. This is something that still amazes me to this day. Everyone has their own strengths and we all play different, but equally important, roles. There’s no competition for personal glory. It’s different from my previous job where we worked mostly in silos.

What kinds of learning and development opportunities does your company offer? How have you grown in your career during your time there?

There are many programs that encourage further learning and development — from mentorships and in-person training sessions to job swaps. Plus, because of Bloomberg’s collaborative culture, it’s easy to approach other colleagues for guidance and tips. I’ve grown more confident in my news judgment and editing skills, and feel more comfortable collaborating with more senior colleagues globally.

Also, starting a new job can be extremely daunting, especially as a young new hire. In late 2022, I was given the opportunity to join a six-month mentorship program called Reporter Advisory Board, where I worked on several enterprise stories with my assigned mentor in Tokyo. The program was instrumental to my early days at Bloomberg, as the weekly catch-ups with my mentor served as a safe space to discuss story ideas and share my personal struggles. Now, I try to do the same, albeit more informally, with newer colleagues on the team. It’s inspiring to watch their confidence grow over time, just as mine did when I had those sessions with my mentor. I feel it’s important to have a strong peer support system in such a fast-paced work environment.

What’s one thing you would want a candidate to know about what it’s like to work at your company?

The job is yours to define. The roles at Bloomberg are dynamic, and it’s not uncommon to collaborate with other teams and take on projects beyond your original job scope. There are also opportunities to travel to other offices and meet new people. In addition, having a well-stocked pantry is a great perk — though I sometimes leave empty-handed because I can’t decide on a snack!

This interview was originally published on The Muse. 

Interested in working at Bloomberg? Search open roles here.