My name is Karishma Brinda Desai and I was born in Los Angeles, but grew up in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina. I am a journalist who is interested in transitioning into broadcast journalism. I will be attending Boston University for my MS in Journalism this fall and was in Boston last year to take post-bacc coursework. I have grown up doing Bharatanatyam most of my life and have performed for Doordarshan - Chandana TV. My biggest dreams after finishing school will be to move to the West Coast. I love visiting over there!

I’m currently a dance critic for IndyWeek (a local publication in the Raleigh-Durham area) and a staff writer for Brown Girl Magazine. There’s a long backstory of how I got into journalism. I was the anchor in my high school news, but I denied my passion for the field. I’ve always been a more pragmatic person and tried the biology route. I eventually decided that Communication-Media was a better fit for me after taking a few electives. After graduating, I was still trying to go the practical route and try PR. But the more and more I got into writing and videotaping news stories, I realized my true passion for the field. Money means nothing if you’re not happy nor skilled in what you’re doing. After all, job security relies heavily on job performance.

Some hard work, but honestly...lots and lots of trial and error. I think the last few years were especially a roller-coaster ride, but I think you learn through your mistakes. The fact that I’m being interviewed now must mean that I’m doing something right! But seriously, network! Many times, nothing really comes out of it, but at least you’ve met one more person in your field. And for me, out of the many people I contacted for opportunities, one or two panned out. The more shots you take, the greater your chances for making one land.

I took up an internship for academic credit in my senior year of high school at a pharmaceutical firm named Tranzyme Pharma. So it was some admin work, but also some research into gastroenterology, which was interesting. While I’m not in the health field, it really gave me the research and fact-checking skills that are necessary as a journalist.

I can’t tell you how many times I cold-called journalists in my field for advice and how many times that didn’t really go anywhere. I told myself that I would give detailed advice once I started working. Now that I’m being asked this, it’s a lot harder than I thought. I think knowing the reality of journalism, yet remaining optimistic has been key. Journalism is not dying and will never die; it’s evolving. Now you can’t specialize in a niche from the start...you have to be able to do everything: write, shoot video, edit, report on camera, photograph, etc. Having mentors really help too. I have learned so much more through mentors regarding the field and good reporting practices than I have during my undergraduate studies. Listening to my editors’ feedback has shown for markable improvement.

I also want to mention how I got my dance critic position, because that was interesting. I emailed the arts/culture/entertainment editor for the IndyWeek since I have a strong dance background and they had advertised for unpaid internships. At that point, I needed the entry-level experience. The editor was impressed enough to tell me that although they had interns already, that they were in need of a dance critic and he asked if I was interested. I get paid as a freelancer and get two complimentary tickets to the events I review. So don’t be afraid. Many times in this field, you have to make your own opportunities!

I’m not sure I’ve reached the stage where I can talk about accomplishments to that extent haha. I think I’ve been having a lot of successes lately though. I received a merit scholarship for the Masters program at BU. I’m also now the interim president of NC Society of Professional Journalists, which has been keeping me a bit busy these days. 

I think “balance” is the key word. On one hand, you risk sticking to just Indians and that restricts you from seeing life from other people’s shoes. On the other, you could shed off your roots and not know how your ancestors struggled for you to get where you are. My mom is a Bharatanatyam teacher in Cary, NC and I grew up learning Bharatanatyam. I was so intrigued in it  that I studied modern applications of the dance form as a high school graduation project. I also learned Ballet and Modern (Horton Technique) for a few years. In college, I took Jazz and Tap just for fun. I write for a South Asian online publisher and a local newspaper. So I really am getting the best of both worlds.

What helped the most was that I went to a magnet high school with a majority population of Black students. Our school was very diverse and we even had foreign exchange students from Germany and Japan. I think that was a very humbling experience for me. Since then, I’ve had a diverse set of friends, which has given me a more rounded perspective. Now I appreciate everything my parents have worked hard to give me. Not everyone has it that easy at all.

What were the best things your parents did for you as you were growing up? 

A lot, and I don’t always give them credit for it. I think when I was young, they were more of your stereotypical immigrant parents. I had a more conservative upbringing since I was the first-born too. Looking back, I think that made me who I am now. Now it’s switched from trying not to disappoint my parents to trying not to disappoint myself. I also like that my parents were open-minded and informed at the same time. They taught me the importance of equality in roles I should give for my Barbie dolls when I was playing with them. The Black Barbie deserves a job that is just as good as the White Barbies. I know it sounds funny, but racial equality is an issue that activists are still fighting tooth and nail for. Racial prejudices start early as seen in the Clarks’ doll experiment.

What is the toughest interview question you have been asked?

I had an interview for a marketing and PR position at a medical technology company in the Boston-area a couple years ago. It was so intense! I had been up since 5 that morning and had to take multiple subways. It didn’t help that there was a horrible heat wave during my visit. So the question was asking how would I recruit new clients without the Internet. I was like, “No Google?!” The answer ended up being the phone book...

What do you do in your spare time outside of work?

I’ve been trying to get more fit. So I’ve been jogging in nature trails and doing some muscular strengthening exercises. I love Netflix and am a foodie though! I also enjoy hanging out with my friends and shopping.

What is currently in your ipod/smartphone– music?

Honestly, a little bit of everything. My favorite genre is classic rock, and I generally love anything that takes me back to a previous era, like Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars. I loved the Great Gatsby soundtrack. My current addictions are from the Mad Men finale. “Rocket Man” by Elton John and “Hello, I Love You” by The Doors. My dad used to play the latter all of the time when I was growing up, so there’s a bit of nostalgia there too.

Can you finish this sentence - I believe? 

I can fly...well, not really. I believe...in myself. That may be more practical.

What is your Favorite App? 

I don’t really use my smartphone the way most people my age probably do. I guess Candy Crush Soda Saga can get addicting. I like Snapchat too...it keeps me connected to friends that are long-distance.

What advice would you give young people growing up as Indian Americans in the US? 

Do what you want to do and what you think is best...not what society expects from you. I have great respect for my peers who are doctors and engineers, but not everyone can fall into cookie-cutter categories just because of their racial background. Math was never my strong-suit (other than percentages, since I shop so much). Also, make sure to keep a diverse set of friends. Your friends shape your experiences, which shape your knowledge. It’s problematic to just stick to fellow Indian Americans, and it’s also just as problematic to shun your fellow Indian Americans. Learn about the history and culture...before Bollywood. Don’t be embarrassed of your heritage, but hear out everyone’s stories. You learn a lot more when you have friends from other ethnic communities, and I’ve actually found many similarities between myself and my non-Indian friends. I heard this quote on a commercial which sums it up: “Own what you are, but respect what you aren’t”