In Conversation With Joel Fabian Outschoorn 

Joel is no stranger to many households, having graced their screens as a news anchor. Joel, a past student of St. Peter’s College was a Deputy Head Prefect of the 2011 batch. He then went on to pass his CIM and is currently completing his MBA. The hardworking youngster cemented his status recently when he clinched the Raigam Tele’es Best News Anchor Award. We caught up with Joel fresh off his win. Here’s the scoop. 

Did you always want to be a news anchor? 

Well this is actually a question which I used to ask myself many times. Like most kids, when growing up I had the same ambition which most would say is to either be a doctor or a pilot. Well I guess I always wanted to be a pilot but then when time passed by I just realized that it was not my area. 

As a teenager to be honest I was never someone who watched news, but on the other hand along with my interests shifting to be a prefect in school I was eventually given opportunities  to compere school events and even assembly sessions. It was then that my interest in the field of hosting grew. The feedback was somewhat good, so I thought to myself should I not be a host. Since my mother and then her sister run a Montessori, I eventually hosted their events and I believe that is where it all started. 

I completed my education and then joined WNS Global Services, which was my first job. There too I was given the opportunity to host company events, and following my 2 years of service I joined MTV/MBC media networks as a news reporter. Even then, I never dreamt to be a news anchor, but then the environment groomed me up and it got me to eventually realize  that I could read and it paved my path to be a  news anchor. 

You recently won the Best English News Anchor award. Tell us a little about it. 

Well this has so far been one of the best things that ever happened in my life. In 2014 I was nominated to the category of the Best News Anchor English at the Raigam Tele’es 2014. This was my first ever application forwarded. And then, this year I was awarded Best News Anchor English 2015 at the Raigam Tele’es 2016. 

Honestly the feeling I had running in me is something that could not be expressed in words. When you know that you are rewarded for something that you put your heart and soul into, it really feels just amazing. 

What would you attribute to your success as a news anchor? 

Honestly nothing is possible or imaginable without God, and then my family and friends  who always put up with me both in good and bad times. It would not be possible for me to be awarded or recognized If not for my chairman who gave me the opportunity to be a news anchor ,who I consider to be someone who is just not a leader but a second father to me and many others. Well as the saying reads you cannot clap with one hand, in my career it is impossible to shine all by yourself if not for the support and effort put by the News 1st team (right from the make-up artists to the cameramen to the top level director, we may have our times of disagreement, however at the end of the day it is a team effort that is the output of a quality news bulletin or production. So hats off to my News 1st team. And finally my loyal viewers who have always been  there giving me both negative and positive feedback. 

How important is the concept of style to you? How would you describe your personal style? 

Style I believe is something that is of much importance to anyone, because style defines your character. Your sense of style sends out a clear message to your audience because after all the first impression should be the best. For me style is something important because been in the field of media both as a news anchor and a TV presenter I believe that style plays a pivotal role in my life. 

Especially in my life I tend to play around with style, shifting my personality from a news anchor which is based on professional attire (tie, blazer, white shirt) and then as a TV presenter I portray myself to be dressed in clothes which appeals to the youth audience (jeans, jackets, shoes and casual shirts). 

And then when it comes to my personal life I prefer to be in comfortable clothing such as shorts, t-shirts and loafers. 

What, in your opinion – are must haves in a man's closet? 

A man’s closet… hmm well I guess we as men tend to have just a very few things in our closet, but I guess a shaving kitt, deodorant, a branded perfume is a must. In my case hair styling is something which I consider to be a priority, so hair gel and wax is a must in my closet. 

What's your take on following fashion trends? 

I believe it’s always good not to follow trends as such but try to be unique in your own sense, I believe in a mix of fashion trends and then put them in order to suite you. After all just make sure that you feel good being yourself and not anyone else portrayed by you. 

Who inspires you? 

This is indeed a question where I would like to say it in this way “My inspiration is just me”. I am someone who would get into a situation and then get the good or bad out of it and learn from it and move forward. There is always this self made tagline which I follow, which reads “ life is a roller coaster, it has its  ups and downs , however it is up to you how you take it or leave it”. So I believe that you just need to believe in yourself, no matter how much you may be criticized or unsuccessful in what you do, just keep trying. 

If not news anchor, what other career choice would you have considered? 

If not for a news anchor... well let me put it this way, after my Advanced Levels, I started doing CIM at the Strategy Institute because I was always passionate to be a marketer. I have now completed CIM and at present I'm doing my MBA at ANC. One fine day I aspire to be a marketer having my news anchoring and presenting life as a strong hold on the other side. Would like to do both hand in hand. 

What are 3 things that no one knows about you? 

Well to be honest those who know me know me really well, but then for those who don’t know me let me say that I am someone who would give my best if I am tasked with some duty, If you treat me well I would go that extra mile to treat you better. I'm also a little sensitive by nature. 

What's next for you? 

Well I do not aspire for big things in life, life has always surprised me. So I believe that just like always may be the days and years to come will come by me with many more challenges and surprises. Because I am a strong believer of living today at its best rather than worrying about what tomorrow would be like. 

Interviewed by Rihaab Mowlana