Heba Helmy, executive managing editor of Egypt Independent, gives profound influence on future journalists

Heba Helmy, executive managing editor of Egypt Independent, gives profound influence on future journalists 

Heba Helmy’s words were diamond dust, adding meaning to every topic she tackles, until her voice have spread across numerous local and foreign newspapers and websites, among which are Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper, Al-Ahram newspaper, The Nation, The Student Room, Mideastenvironment, and 

Philstar. 

Helmy is a graduate of the Department of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Arts, Cairo University. Due to her passion for journalism, she received her master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with honours from the American University in Cairo (AUC). 

Helmy took her first step into the realm of journalism in 2009 as a journalist for Egypt Independent, the sister English-language website of Al-Masry Al-Youm daily – the same year in which the website was born. Her tremendous efforts have paid off as she was appointed as the Executive Managing Editor of Egypt Independent at the age of 30. 

A good ship captain must know the ship’s destination by heart, and Helmy is indeed a magnificent captain who has led the website to its intended destination. Her belief in the importance of the website’s goals was so clear to the eye through her astonishing performance and enthusiastic spirit. 

Egypt Independent works as a channel to shed light on substantial issues in Egypt whether political, economic, cultural, etc. From a credible, well-rounded perspective, especially that its voice has reached beyond the borders of Egypt, with its main audience being from the USA, UK, and UAE. 

Helmy’s passion for journalism led her to soar even higher through different realms in the skies of journalism. Besides being a speaker at many journalism-related conferences, such as the International Press Conference, she teaches digital journalism to young minds who are eager to voice their opinion. 

She works as an adjunct professor at the Canadian University in Egypt to sharpen journalism senior students’ practical, essential tools for creative, advanced writing. Helmy has severally been chosen as a member of an expert panel that judges graduation projects at several universities, including AUC, and October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA).

  In addition to all of the above, witnessing the significant influence she has brought to the field of journalism, MSA University has recognized her for her efforts to provide students and talented youth with a chance to acquire and polish their skills that would qualify them to be successful, outstanding journalists through her guidance as well as internships she organizes through her position in the website. 

With: Dr. Nawal El Degwi a pioneer of the Egyptian private education, Dr. Khairy Abdel Hamid Ali, President of MSA University and Dr. Hala El Zahed, head of Journalism program

Helmy seeks to light up the sky of journalism through helping the talented youth in carving out distinguished careers. She is constantly thinking about developing comprehensive, hands-on activities that can help achieve her goal of producing a generation of journalists that make a difference in the future of journalism, and who knows? Maybe you can be a member of this generation we’re talking about. 

Helmy organizes intensive internship programs covering different aspects of digital journalism including online writing, videos, interactive social media content, photography and podcasts in an effort to prepare potential talents for the workforce. 

The internships put trainees on the track to apply their theoretical and soft skills in real-life context, learn all the tips and tricks of creating professional content and try their hand to discover their niches. The internships seek out senior students, MA students and fresh graduates of journalism departments at universities. 

The average internship is 1-3 months long. The duration varies from university to another and depends on the nature of the internship. To apply, all one needs to do is email your resume to the following email: h.helmy@almasryalyoum.com. 

Helmy also told us that well-crafted articles by interns get the chance to be published, and get credit for their own work, which broadens their chances at getting a job either at Egypt Independent or other media outlets. 

Helmy’s upcoming step is to take students’ practical knowledge to the next level at the AUC this fall semester. Helmy is currently in talks with Dr. Nadine El-Sayed, Associate professor of Practice, who is in charge of multimedia journalism undergraduate program at the AUC, to give senior journalism students an in-depth insight into the professional field of journalism at campus. 

Helmy believes that those who aspire to notch up success, they need to roll their sleeves up before graduating. Students should spare no effort during summer holiday to join practical skills workshops, improve their language proficiency, and take courses on technology journalism.