Rising Stars: Meet Alexandra Talty

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Talty.

Hi Alexandra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was 24 years old, I changed my whole life. In six months, I left my corporate PR job, my long-term boyfriend and my Brooklyn apartment, trading the normalcy of my life in New York for the Middle East. Yes, that Middle East. See, I was determined to become a writer. And for whatever reason, I felt that I couldn’t be a writer if I just settled in New York after attending college there. So, I saved up for two years, applied for SO MANY jobs across the Middle East, and then finally, when all else failed, decided to move to Lebanon. I had about $15,000 in savings and one Lebanese friend from college, who was moving to Italy two days after I made it to the country. I ended up landing a copy editing job within two weeks and getting my first paid writing assignment within three. The best advice I have is to tell everyone in your network that you are moving and looking for work in X industry. A friend of a friends’ brother was the senior editor at a business magazine in Lebanon that was hiring, and because I’d posted on Facebook about my move, my friend connected us. Don’t be afraid of being vocal about needing a job.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Journalism is always a gamble, and I think that is especially true since 2008. Technology is a huge disrupter in the industry, both in terms of how you communicate with the masses as well as how advertising revenue works for traditional media companies. Since I started working in media, I’ve witnessed at least four rounds of layoffs with magazines I’ve worked with, to say nothing of the number of publications that have closed. Although working in a floundering industry is difficult, I try to focus on my writing. I think if you’re interested in journalism and you are adept at social media, you can definitely survive the current turmoil in the industry.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a journalist and writer. My work takes me across the world, searching for stories on a variety of topics like Sri Lanka’s eco-resort boom or investigating Jordan’s female-led street art movement. I was based in Lebanon for seven years, working as a Senior Travel Contributor for Forbes. Now, back in the United States, I am focusing on farm and environmental reporting. While my reported topics vary, I am always intrigued by stories of undercurrent and revolution. My investigation into LGBTQ+ rights in the Arab World for Playboy Magazine was honored with an LA Press Club award. Other stories I am particularly proud of include a four-day travelogue from a Bahamian mailboat, a story on how a group of Syrian scientists saved the future of wheat and an analysis of the Lebanese revolution from an environmental justice angle.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
In my pre-Covid life, I spent a lot of time on the road. My best way to stay in touch with colleagues and companions is through social media. I’m @alexandra_talty on all platforms. My sister always jokes that if I get married, I’ll have to have a table for my Twitter friends.

Contact Info:

• Email: actalty@gmail.com
• Website: alexandratalty.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandra_talty/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexandra.talty.9/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Alexandra_Talty
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandra_talty

 

What to check out next:
Aleasha Bahr is a sales & marketing strategist known for showing introverts and ambiverts the Secret Art of Subtle Selling.  She personally sold millions in revenue while discovering introverts are usually top sales people – as soon as they stop trying to act like extroverts.  We’ve partnered with her to produce Introverted Entrepreneur Success Stories. Check out episode 1 below: