Tom Arviso Jr.
Navajo Times Publishing Co., Inc.
Window Rock, AZ USA
"Go with your heart. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. "
Career Roadmap
Tom's work combines: Journalism, Writing, and Communicating / Sharing Stories
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
I knew my work was good and I just had to believe in myself. I knew that the right opportunity for me would come along.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Journalism
Arizona State University
Graduate Degree
Journalism
Stanford University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
Started working at the Navajo Times 27 years ago as a college intern studying journalism.
2.
His interest in journalism initially began in high school while working as a sportswriter for the school paper.
3.
When he got to college, he had a lot of doubts about whether journalism was something he actually wanted to pursue—his desire to effect change led him to social work.
4.
For a year, he worked to reintegrate people leaving prison and help them find jobs, but found that the work wasn’t fulfilling him in the way he thought it would.
5.
While looking for something different to do, he saw an advertisement for writers at a small Native American newspaper—he applied, got the job, and reinvigorated his interest in journalism.
6.
Admits that he experienced a lot of self-doubt making the switch from social work to journalism; he worried that he would never find something he was truly passionate about.
7.
Says that he has been turned down for a lot of jobs that he really wanted and that it was hard to overcome that rejection—has learned to believe in himself and focus on being his best self.
8.
Currently serves as the CEO of the Navajo Times Publishing Co., Inc.—says that he found his passion is in telling other people’s stories in an authentic way.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You aren't qualified for this job.
How I responded:
I knew my work was good and I just had to believe in myself. I knew that the right opportunity for me would come along.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
The paper has overcome several obstacles in regards to people trying to regulate it. Political pressure and censorship are always challenges.