Last night CNN journalist and anchor Soledad O’Brien addressed a smattering of about 150 people in Kimmel concerning women and diversity issues, as part of the Women as Changemakers series spurred on by Women’s History Month. Though it seemed that few NYU students were actually in attendance, and the majority of the audience was comprised of NYU alums and community members, O’Brien addressed women’s issues in the workplace, as well as expounded upon the importance of “thinking differently.” If you can cut through the Hallmark-y inspirational BS, O’Brien had some pretty interesting things to say Dragon hunters download.

As an aspiring journalist, I’ve more or less admired O’Brien since she began her career at CNN. Perhaps because I grew up in a society where I haven’t had to fight every step of the way for gender equality, I never considered my gender as a legitimate hindrance to gaining a position of importance. But the facts betray my comfort, and are actually pretty staggering: According to the American Society of Newspaper Editors, women hold only 37.36% of newsroom jobs, and men still possess 64.8% of managerial positions. Men are also “58.2 percent of all copy editors, 60.9 percent of reporters and 72.9 percent of photographers” (American Society of Newspaper Editors, 2008). Ms. O’Brien spoke to these figures, saying that women and minorities do have to work harder to reach the same goals, but that doesn’t mean all that work is for naught. She also referenced the shifting journalism market, acknowledging that aspiring journalists now will have to entertain an even larger skill-set than those before them. O’Brien expressed the importance of embracing technology, but was quick to note, “I DON’T TWITTER.”

Despite her aversion to Twitter, O’Brien did echo the positivity of P Diddy’s tweets, and spoke grandiosely about tackling issues that may seem “too big or too engrained.” It was the stuff of graduation speeches and 18th birthday cards, but somewhere between the “Yes you cans!” and the recounting of horrendous acts she witnessed while covering Hurricane Katrina, O’Brien managed to hit a nerve when discussing journalistic ethics. “Figure out your line early,” she said in response to a question regarding the biggest moral dilemma she has faced, “because there are always going to be people pushing you across that line constantly.” And this is perhaps the most important thing for young women journalists to take away from Ms. O’Brien’s speech: you may need to work harder than the average male, but figure out just how much you’re willing to sacrifice to get to that place before you even begin (i.e. giving your boss a blowjob probably not the best way to get a-head—HA see what I did there?). “It’s exhausting to have to constantly prove yourself,” she said, “because in my business if you do not it’s the end of your career.” Depressing, but probably true.

O’Brien also reached for some bits of wisdom from her mother, sharing some of the best advice I’ve heard, and something my own mother frequently tells me: “Most people are idiots.” It’s true, unfortunately, but to keep that in mind might not be such a bad thing when wading through the moral minefield of journalism.

Photo by Lauren Monaco