FROM SKATEBOARD VIDEOS TO GLOBAL NEWS

WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DO YOU DO IN ONE SENTENCE?

I'm Tom van 't Einde, a journalist and reporter at EenVandaag, where I have been reporting news since 2015.

HOW DID YOU ENTER THE JOURNALISM INDUSTRY?

I started young, making podcasts and YouTube videos. Nothing serious at first, just stunts and skateboard clips. Friends and I gathered our money for an editing computer and used old family cameras to film. That hobby slowly turned into a serious career. I was selected for a traineeship at BNN, where I got to create videos and reports for NPO Radio 1. It was an incredible opportunity that taught me a lot and gave me a steep learning curve. I grabbed every chance that came my way and worked my way up from there.

HOW DOES A TYPICAL WEEK LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

Every day at work is different. We usually start with a short meeting at the office, but after that, anything can happen. Last year, I was at a festival when the assassination attempt on Trump happened — a few hours later, I was on a plane to Chicago. From a Dutch campsite to live reporting in the U.S. within 12 hours. This job demands extreme flexibility. It's tough on those around me, but I love the thrill.

WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

Don’t forget to pause and enjoy the things you do. Especially when every day brings more deadlines and stress. It’s important to take a moment, look around and appreciate the people you meet, the places you visit and the things you experience.

WHO DO YOU LOOK UP TO CAREER-WISE?

Fareed Zakaria from CNN and Maggie Haberman, who works at the New York Times. Journalists with strong personalities who are always very well informed. They know more than others and dare to speak out when necessary. In my opinion, a journalist should always be objective, but neutrality doesn’t mean you stop thinking for yourself.

A mantra by which I live is: “If someone tells you it’s raining and another tells you it’s not. It’s not your job as a journalist to quote them both. It’s your job to look out the fucking window and find out which is true.”

WHAT WAS YOUR VERY FIRST JOURNALISM JOB?

I got selected for a talent program at Dutch broadcaster BNN. They hired me to make videos and make reports for NPO Radio 1, which was an incredible opportunity and gave me a chance to experience a very steep learning curve.

WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING STORY YOU’VE EVER WORKED ON?

I created a documentary series on migration for the current affairs show EenVandaag. We filmed in 4 different countries over the span of 4 weeks, which was incredibly challenging, especially in Niger, where we had to navigate threats from local IS and Al Qaeda militias.

WHAT’S THE KEY TO MAKING A STORY STAND OUT?

Look for a story or person that challenges the general perception of a subject. We always think we know the truth, but it's not always so clear-cut. The best part of being a journalist is meeting people with completely different perspectives. Our job is to ask questions and understand where they’re coming from. Talking to so many different people has made me a better person — and that’s something money can’t buy.

IF YOU COULD COVER ANY HISTORICAL EVENT IN REAL-TIME, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE?

The attacks on 9/11 and the aftermath. I was still young when it happened, but I watched it unfold live on CNN. You could immediately grasp the importance of that moment, and what happened next changed our world for the next decades.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WANTING TO BREAK INTO THE JOURNALISM INDUSTRY?

Don’t be shy, don’t be arrogant, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. To succeed in this industry, you need to work hard and stay flexible. If an opportunity comes your way, take it. And always play nice — ambition should never turn into arrogance. Especially in TV, where everything is a team effort. You’re only as good as the people around you, so treat them well and share your successes.

If you want to know more about Tom, give him a follow on Instagram