Viktorija Plavcak, Freelance Journalist | Slovenia

Jenna Hutchens: What led you to your career?

VP: I do not have a career in journalism as I am a teacher of English and a translator, but it was my interest in English language that played a major role in my decision to contribute to online journalism. In 2007 I got an e-mail inviting foreign female journalists to write for THE WIP website from a friend journalist, so I decided to have a go. I have always been interested in world issues, and disappointed at the fact that it is still a man's world we live in, so I decided to contribute.

JH: What types of media do you use in your work?

VP: Online journalism, local magazines and occasionally newspapers.

JH: How has online journalism played a role in your career?

VP: I couldn't say it has played a role, as this is my hobby and my first love is and always will be teaching, but it gives me a chance to use the language I have but not use it actively. I love writing, but stories rather than just factual news reports. Unfortunately, I have very little time to tend to my hobby, as I make a living from teaching and translating, but I really hope that in the future I will find more time to write.

JH: Have you experienced any gender bias(es) in your career?

VP: Not really, as the nature of my work is different from what other journalists and teachers do. I'm a freelancer, so I get to choose who to work with, which is an enormous advantage.

JH: How have international experiences impacted your career?

VP: Well, my motto is "you remain a learner all your life," and there is no end to my curiosity, so I read about different things, including books, and that way see other people's perspectives and relate to them. I also travel a lot, and spend at least two months in the UK every year, which broadens my horizons as I get to learn about things I normally would not within the confines of my country. I often browse other websites and get a lot of useful information, which means hearing the other side of the story and not just the news reports. All this shines through my work.

JH: What do you think are differences in journalism between Slovenia and the United States?

VP: In my opinion, journalism in Slovenia is still in infancy, and will take some time to become what it is in the States or UK. Most of the journalists work for state owned newspapers that are controlled by political parties, which often means no freedom of speech. There are a few independent papers and magazines that can report objectively without having to fear the consequences, therefore they are so much more appreciated. Another disturbing problem is that most people get work in journalism after a few strings have been pulled, which means that the new age self-proclaimed writers and journalists are springing up like mushrooms after the rain, so very often good writers are overlooked and don't get a chance to prove themselves.

JH: What do you see as the future for women in global communication?

VP: It's hard to say. I think time will tell, but I'm convinced that this is just the beginning.

JH: What advice would you give to aspiring female journalists?

VP: Whatever you do, do it with your heart. Believe in yourself and don't turn into a spineless, gutless journalist who can be intimidated by threats of powerful people who think they can control just about anything. Work on the things you love and don't be discouraged by failure – see it as practice, and you know, practice makes perfect. Do not be afraid to expose corruption, fight for women and world issues and keep the enlightening approach.

JH: In your opinion, what has been your most rewarding and proud moment in your career?

VP: Well, that is in connection with my teaching career. I have been able to help so many people struggling with the language who needed to finish schools in order to make something out of themselves, especially youngsters who need good teachers to look up to. I get the greatest satisfaction when I inspire generation after generation to study English and plan their future outside this small country.

On the other hand, online journalism has helped me get acquainted with many issues I would normally not read about from the papers, which I include in my lessons. Another thing that I'm also very proud of is being a godmother to a girl named Rachael from Zambia for about five years, providing her with financial help to ensure her education, which is a project started by Slovenian Missionary Centre in Ljubljana. She has finished grade 10 and is now doing a vocational course.

I believe that this was a moment in my life which made me aware how tough it is for girls and women all over the world, especially from underdeveloped and undeveloped countries, to get education, so I decided to help. This also led into greater interest in the world issues women face, and encouraged me to write about the problems. My wish is to be able to go to Zambia and see what has become of her, and after that sponsor another girl, or perhaps work as a volunteer, teaching English.

JH: What has been the biggest challenge you have faced in your career?

VP: To be honest, I've never thought about it, but possibly the Completion of RSA CELTA course in London, and the self-publication of the book I wrote in English, and my second book in English, which I hope to find the publisher for. Unfortunately, the publisher of the first book went bankrupt, so it didn't see publication.

JH: Who do you look up to in the field of journalism?

VP: Nobody in particular as I read different articles, but when I come across a good piece, I will remember the language and how well it is written, the story itself, and that will make me remember the author and I will want to read more.

JH: How do you balance your job as a journalist and educator with your personal life?

VP: As online journalism is my hobby, I tend to neglect it and only dedicate time to it when I'm not snowed under with other work. I am single and a freelancer, which means dedicating too much of my time to work, but I try not to wear myself out, so I dictate my own pace. The only problem is that when I translate, I have to meet deadlines and that often interferes with my writing, so by the time I finally sit down and start writing so many new things have happened that I abandon the whole thing.

Interviewee: Viktorija Plavcak

Viktorija Plavcak is a freelance teacher of English, educator and professional translator, and in her free time a freelance journalist from Slovenia. She attended a teacher training university in Slovenia, but later lived in the UK for 2 years where she obtained a Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) and a decade later RSA CELTA (Certificate In English Language Teaching to Adults). She has done translation work for Slovenian National Institute of Education, working on different EU projects such as Laguages in Education , Key Competences, Language Across the Curriculum, Education of Roma People, etc. She helped prepare the 2008 conference on languages in Ljubljana and did translation work for the Conference Handbook. She translated and proofread for Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing, and is an official translator
for a Slovenian trade show organizer. She teaches Cambridge exams such as PET, FCE, CAE and CPE, business English at the Faculty of Commercial and Business Studies in Celje (third largest town in Slovenia) where she resides, and has also taught English at GEA College in Slovenia.

She is a contributing writer for THE WIP and hopes to one day translate literature and has an immense love for and the mastery of the English language. She travels abroad with her students attending language courses and works for a variety of companies. As a freelance journalist, Plavcak has regularly contributed to magazines and discussion forums. She is an avid supporter of global, and women's issues.

Interviewer: Jenna Hutchens

Jenna Hutchens, 21, is a junior at The University of Iowa, majoring in Communication Studies. She is from Napa, California and decided to attend The University of Iowa to experience life in a different part of the country. Hutchens is interested in nonprofit work, and is passionate about working with children. She volunteers for several organizations, including Girls on the Run, which encourages positive self-image and self-esteem in young girls while training them to run in a 5K. Hutchens also works as an assistant teacher in the infant room at a child care center. She attended Napa High School, and graduated in the top 1% of her class. Hutchens comes from a very close, tight-knit family, and has one older sister. She enjoys writing and is interested in the different ways that gender is influenced and affected by the media. She believes that it is important for the media to acknowledge the viewpoints of individuals from all backgrounds in order to provide the public with different perspectives on important issues.