Graduating from Sacred Heart University with a bachelor’s in Marketing and Global Studies, Dana Givens has always had an interest in exploring different cultures and countries. She has worked for many brands as a copywriter and content creator for digital media platforms and notable brands. As a journalist, she has been published in top-tier publications on the topics of travel, food, culture, the African diaspora, and mental health. She has previously worked with Black Enterprise as the Associate Digital Editor where she wrote about entrepreneurship, business, technology, and COVID-19. She is attending New York University (NYU) to receive her master’s degree in journalism.
How did you get started traveling?
I had travel aspirations from a very early age. I knew I wanted to study abroad before I knew what college I wanted to go to. I ended up doing a business class in Luxembourg during my junior year as an undergraduate. I minored in Global Studies, so I took classes studying different cultures. After I graduated, I did short-term domestic and international travel, and I would document things I did. That’s how I got on the path focusing my writing on travel and culture.
How did you get started writing?
I went to school for business. My plan was to become a fashion buyer. The writing was something I did as a hobby because I didn’t think I could do anything with it. I was working as a temp at a major brand when I got into a car accident. I had trouble walking for a while, and I needed to go to physical therapy, so I couldn’t do the job anymore. I started writing again to cope. Eventually, my mother’s former co-worker, who worked as a professional writer, read my things and said I should consider looking into writing jobs, so I did – and I haven’t looked back since.
What do you consider your first “break” as a writer?
My “break” was getting published in Travel and Leisure. That’s when people started to see me as a journalist for the first time.
As a traveler and fact/story gatherer, what is your biggest challenge on the road?
Keeping your notes organized and making sure you spoke to the right people depending on the assignment.
What is your biggest challenge in the research and writing process?
The biggest challenge is taking all your research and turn it into a piece that humanizes the subject. You want to paint a portrait for people to want to travel there and partake in this experience.
What is your biggest challenge from a business standpoint?
Travel is a niche sector, so there are many staff writer roles dedicated to that area. With a freelancer, you must assess your talents and how to monetize them properly to stay in the industry and have a stable income.
Have you ever done other work to make ends meet?
I also work as a copywriter to help balance my income.
What advice and/or warnings would you give to someone who is considering going into travel writing?
My advice is to not worry so much about counting how many countries you have been to – just follow your curiosity. You may end up going places multiple times and discover something new each time. You may find yourself in a place you never thought about going to, but now it’s one of your best travel memories. Don’t get caught in those artificial numbers. They don’t matter. Instead of focusing on the number, ask yourself – what have I learned from these trips?
There will be people who don’t understand what you do, no matter how many times you tell them, and they will project their insecurities onto you. Don’t let others’ fears and limitations make you doubt what you are doing. That’s their problem, not yours.
The last piece of advice is to be open when you are traveling to new places. Your bias is going to be challenged. You will be among different cultures who live other lives from what you are used to back home. Learn from them. Talk to the locals and be open to your new surroundings. That’s how you learn and grow from traveling.
What is the biggest reward of life as a travel writer?
The biggest reward is knowing I fulfilled my wildest dream despite everything that I have been through. Some people look at my highlights on Instagram and think what I do is unattainable, not realizing that I didn’t come from a rich or well-connected family to do any of this. Knowing that my hard work has paid off, and I get up loving what I do. I’m very grateful.
Share This
