Young Perspectives in European Journalism
Patrick Große coordinates an international editorial team at Deutsche Welle that produces social media content for young Europeans. In this interview, he talks about the challenges of intercultural collaboration and which skills are important for the job.
Werksgelände: What do you actually do as head of content ENTR at DW?
Patrick Große: As head of content, I’m basically the editor-in-chief of the ENTR project. We create social media content in ten languages on 23 channels on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, X and TikTok. ENTR wants to reach young people between the ages of 18 and 34 and discuss their lives in Europe with them. We therefore look very much beyond national borders and compare the situation in the EU: How can we learn from each other? Which discussions are held in the same way or completely differently in another country? However, I don’t decide on all the content, I coordinate the editorial cooperation between editorial teams in eight different countries. What content can we work on together? What does one country produce for the other partners? This daily exchange with different countries and cultures is the strength of the service.
It is simply incredibly exciting to see what discussions and topics are being discussed in parallel throughout Europe.
- Patrick Große
What experience or talents should you have for the job?
I would never have thought that I would be managing and coordinating such a large team. In general, I am convinced that everyone can develop into demanding roles. In my job, however, it is an advantage to have a general interest in European cultures and European cooperation. It’s also important to listen well and take the concerns of colleagues seriously. When people from different countries work together, there can sometimes be linguistic or cultural misunderstandings. At the beginning, I was also worried that my English wasn’t good enough. But don’t worry, that also comes with practice.
What appeals to you about your job?
It’s just incredibly exciting to see which discussions and topics are being discussed in parallel throughout Europe. Somehow the continent is one, and yet very different in its facets. It is these facets that allow me to learn something new every day. It never gets boring. I also work with a lot of young journalists in my job. This always results in new and creative ideas that we can try out immediately. Although I lead the European editorial team, it still feels like I’m working with lots of friends my own age. Of course, I also get around Europe a bit when I visit the various journalists on location.
What are the biggest challenges in your job?
The project was created during the coronavirus pandemic. For the first two years, we only saw each other on screen. That is still one of the biggest challenges today. Although we communicate with each other on a daily basis, a lot gets lost when communicating in 2D. I always have to make sure that there are no misunderstandings and that no team in Europe feels neglected.
Patrick’s tips for the next generation
It’s good to have a medium-term plan, but it should be as flexible as possible. In the end, things always turn out differently than you think. In addition to my job at DW, for example, I founded the brand „The AI Journalist“ and now give journalists and media professionals tips on how to use AI in their day-to-day work. I didn’t have that on my bingo card two years ago. Always be open to new things and dare to break new ground. Everyone can grow with through taking on new responsibilities.
Patrick Große
… is a journalist and head of content at ENTR – a digital project that aims to promote youth exchange in Europe. He also founded the newsletter and blog The AI Journalist.
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