Leah Finnegan – The Outline

WHAT LED YOU TO START WORKING IN DIGITAL/MEDIA PUBLISHING?

While in grad school for journalism in 2009, I got an internship at the Huffington Post. I eventually got a full-time job there and left journalism school to take it.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

I’m up at 7.30 or 8 a.m. to scroll the news on my phone with one eye open. I’m at my desk by 8.30 to start working on whatever I have to do that day. We have a morning meeting at 10 a.m. to talk about what everyone is working on. From there every day is a unique combination of Slacks, emails, meetings, and edits.

WHAT DOES YOUR WORK SETUP LOOK LIKE? (YOUR APPS, PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS, ETC.)

I use a MacBook Air and I have a monitor setup. I’m anti-app and computer-based productivity tools. The best productivity tool for me is a pair of earplugs.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO GET INSPIRED?

Go for a walk, take a shower, and go to the gym. I think of my best ideas away from the computer.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PIECE OF WRITING OR QUOTE?

“Product Recommendation” by Kelly Conaboy.

WHAT IS THE MOST INTERESTING/INNOVATIVE THING YOU HAVE SEEN ON ANOTHER OUTLET OTHER THAN YOUR OWN?

No idea!

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM THAT YOU’RE PASSIONATELY TACKLING AT THE MOMENT?

It’s an age-old one: How do I get people to read interesting stories?

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR AMBITIOUS DIGITAL PUBLISHING AND MEDIA PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE JUST STARTING OUT?

Never say no to an opportunity.