Maria Bartiromo, the trailblazing Fox News and Fox Business anchor, has long been a beacon in financial journalism, earning accolades as the first reporter to broadcast live from the New York Stock Exchange floor in 1995. In a candid interview on the Jason Chaffetz Podcast aired March 3, 2025, Bartiromo reflected on the most pivotal period of her 30-year career, pinpointing her early years at CNN (1988–1993) as the crucible that forged her resilience and expertise. From those formative days, she emerged stronger, and she now shares three unmissable tips for aspiring journalists and professionals, drawing from her journey of grit, hustle, and breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry.
Bartiromo, now 57, described her time at CNN as the “most valuable period” of her career. Starting as an intern and rising to executive producer and assignment editor at CNN Business, she worked under Lou Dobbs, tackling behind-the-scenes tasks with relentless drive. “I was doing everything—writing, producing, learning the ropes,” she recalled.
Despite the cable network’s underdog status compared to ABC or NBC, this allowed her to gain hands-on experience, from chasing stories to mastering the chaos of live news. A defining moment came when she was fired from a retail job at Kleinfeld’s for trying on wedding dresses, teaching her a lifelong lesson: “Do your job.” This early setback, coupled with CNN’s grind, instilled a work ethic that propelled her to CNBC and later Fox, where she now hosts Mornings with Maria, Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street, and Sunday Morning Futures.
Her first tip for success is passion-driven focus: “Love what you do.” Bartiromo emphasized that genuine enthusiasm trumps chasing quick riches. “Don’t look for a career to get rich overnight,” she advised, reflecting on how her passion for journalism and economics fueled her rise. Her NYU degree in both fields gave her the foundation to merge urgency with expertise, making complex markets accessible to viewers.
Second, she stressed relentless hard work: “There are no shortcuts.” Bartiromo’s early days involved grueling hours, from interning at WMCA radio to producing at CNN. She recounted staying late to create audition tapes for CNBC, where she landed a reporting role in 1993. Her historic NYSE broadcasts required her to outwork skeptics in a “boys’ club” environment, earning her the nickname “Money Honey” and two Emmys. “Performance matters more than who you know,” she said, urging professionals to prove their worth through dedication.
Finally, Bartiromo underscored integrity: “Always do the right thing.” She shared how her reputation for fairness and accuracy built trust with sources, from CEOs like Jamie Dimon to policymakers like Donald Trump. This principle guided her through controversies, including her shift to Fox in 2013 for broader coverage. “Your reputation follows you,” she warned, encouraging ethical decision-making in high-pressure fields.
Now a global markets editor anchoring over 16 hours weekly, Bartiromo credits her CNN years for shaping her tenacity. Her tips—passion, hard work, integrity—resonate beyond journalism, offering a blueprint for success. As she continues to dominate cable news, her story inspires a new generation to chase their dreams with grit and grace, just as she did.
