In Conversation with Iva Dixit

Tell us about your background:
I’m a former magazine editor and writer who worked at The New York Times Magazine and The New Yorker for the last decade (if you’d like, you can check out some of my published writing here:)
NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/by/iva-dixit
NEW YORKER: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/personal-history/my-life-with-retin-a
WALL STREET JOURNAL: https://www.wsj.com/style/fashion/are-extremely-long-sleeved-sweaters-cool-or-ridiculous-we-tested-five-a3622375?st=w6kdwb&reflink=ar
THE CUT: https://www.thecut.com/article/why-conclave-was-the-fashion-movie-of-the-year.html

Last year I went full-time freelance, and I fell into consulting by accident. Turns out, the skills you learn while assembling the lost art of print magazines are actually extensively useful elsewhere! So now I consult for a wide variety of brands and agencies on editorial strategy and it’s been deeply satisfying and liberating for me, both in my career and as a person. https://www.instagram.com/ivadixit/

What do you wish you’d known when you started out?

To never give away expertise for free.

Best career advice you've ever received?
The best time to book more work is when you’re already working. This has proven so true in every career I’ve had (and I’ve had multiple).

What leadership qualities are important to you?
Genuine leadership is a cultivated skill that needs to be worked on. It is not static and as a leader, you must evolve and grow as your team and company grows.

What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?

I would say deciding to pivot industries completely at a very crucial moment.

How has networking contributed to your professional growth and success?

The peers alongside whom I started my career have been equally valuable (and supportive and encouraging) as seniors and mentors. There’s an ingrained mutual sense of respect and equality when it comes to helping each other out.

What are your top networking tips for building strong connections in your industry?
An ability to read the room and be of service without being transactional is a crucial skill in this area. You want to be thought of as a dependable person who can facilitate movement and make things happen for themselves and for others.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivadixit/

Website: https://www.nytimes.com/by/iva-dixit

Instagram: @ivadixit