María Morte, a 23-year-old from Zaragoza, has recently joined her new job as an editor at La Sexta. Although this only supposes one more experience within her extensive curriculum, where her restlessness is reflected. She has worked as an editor at Atresmedia, a collaborator at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and a radio announcer at M21 Radio School StationInter alia.

The First Job Program is an opportunity offered by the APM for recently graduated young journalists. In this latest edition, three of the five selected candidates belong to the Rey Juan Carlos University.

Q: How did you find out about the Primer Empleo program?

R: I did my university internship at La Sexta. There they advised me to investigate the First Employment program once I finished my degree, and that's what I did. I finished my studies, informed myself and signed up.

Q: What does it mean for you to have been a winner?

R: An opportunity and a relief, since he was at a time when he didn't know what to do; he didn't know whether to study for a master's degree or work. This scholarship has given me a year to think about what to do in the future.

Q: What difficulties have you encountered in the selection process for the winning candidates?

R: The biggest difficulty has been knowing that the program exists. If it hadn't been for one of my bosses at La Sexta I would never have signed up. Another difficulty was the questions related to sports in the current affairs test that they ask the selected candidates. 

Q: How were your first days as an editor at La Sexta?

R: It was like going back to the time when I was in training. All beginnings are difficult. However, having been in that same newsroom before helped me a lot.

Q: In your Linkedin profile, you describe that you are a very applied person in your studies and that, for this reason, you have obtained several scholarships for academic excellence. Did you always know that you wanted to be a journalist?

R: I was never clear on it. He wanted to study Medicine, although I also liked Philosophy and Law. I opted for Journalism and International Relations because I consider that they combine these three branches.

Q: What are your long-term plans?

R: I have no plan. At the end of the day, this career is about improvising and taking advantage of the opportunities that arise.

Q: What is the goal of your professional career?

R: I haven't considered it; I want to recycle myself constantly. I want to have a very wide experience and a generous training to be able to do what I like and deal with all the branches that I may like.

Q: Have you had to give up a lot of things to get here? Like to what?

R: I only feel that I have given up my city, Zaragoza. In Madrid there are more job opportunities. As for the rest, I have always balanced my personal life well with my professional career. 

Q: With 10 honors throughout your career, you are a clear example of someone who wants to, can. What advice would you give future journalists who dream of working in a recognized media outlet?

R: I would tell them to have a very open mind, not to think only of the classic media. Do not be afraid to try and discover other areas of communication such as institutional communication.