What does a Lifestyle Journalist get up to? Join us on a day in the life with Sangeeta Kocharekar

Attending history-making beauty events, learning to make kimchi in South Korea and a stint living and freelance writing from Bali...

Hailing from Washington, DC, Sangeeta was inspired to become a journalist after visiting her hometown's Newseum and seeing her mum pore over in-flight magazines. A uni exchange in Sydney brought her to our shores.

Today, the Lifestyle Editor of The Latch and POPSUGAR Australia, as well as avid TikTokker, calls Ben Buckler home. Here, Sangeeta delves into her career journey, shares tips for those looking to become a journalist (tip #1: do your research) and reveals her favourite spots in Bondi.

Tell us a little about your career journey to date – what inspired you to enter the world of journalism, and what do you love most about the profession and your current role?

I've loved magazines since I was 12 and my mom (I still don't feel Australian enough to write "mum") bought me some teen editions for my birthday. And I always remember her earmarking in-flight magazines and taking them off the plane with her. Years later, when I got my first article in an in-flight mag, it felt surreal.

My favourite museum growing up in Washington, DC was the Newseum, all about the news and reporting. Finally getting to be a journalist years later, I realised I really enjoy interviewing people and pulling out the most interesting part of our chat for the article. It's such a fun challenge to get people hooked so they keep reading 'til the end.

When I first came to Australia, I worked in marketing so I could get permanent residency. Once I got it, I managed to weasel my way into the journalism industry with an unpaid internship. I started in entertainment journalism, writing about celebrity gossip, before moving into lifestyle. When I was 30, I did a year working as a freelance travel writer and living out of a suitcase. I think that was amazing for my career – I made invaluable connections that I still lean on today.

What have some of your most memorable stories or work-related experiences been?

I've been so fortunate to have some amazing event and travel experiences in my role! I pinch myself at least once a week. The detail at beauty events is next-level. Last year, I went to a YSL event at Icebergs where they reupholstered all the chairs for the night with YSL-pink and an event for Giorgio Armani at Bennelong where they had drones spelling out the brand's name in the sky as we left the Opera House after the event dinner.

Some memorable famil (short for 'media familiarisation') experiences include learning to make kimchi on an Intrepid tour of South Korea, attending a Sunday church service in Samoa and staying in an all-glass tiny house in the remote New Zealand countryside. It's wild that I get to call that work.

"Some memorable famil (short for 'media familiarisation') experiences include learning to make kimchi on an Intrepid tour of South Korea, attending a Sunday church service in Samoa and staying in an all-glass tiny house in the remote New Zealand countryside. It's wild that I get to call that work."

You grew up in the US and have travelled the world. What brought you to Sydney initially, and why did you decide to call North Bondi home?

I grew up in DC, but did uni exchange in Sydney and loved it so much that I came back after I graduated. I lived around Bondi Junction but slowly made my way closer to the beach. Now I'm in Ben Buckler in an apartment a two-minute walk from it.

I love the community feel of Ben Buckler. One of my best friends who went to the same uni as me in the US (University of Miami) lives around the corner from me. I have other friends down the street. My Pilates studio (Body By Berner) is a five-minute walk away.

On my work-from-home days, I work from Café Bondi and see the same people coming in for coffee or breakfast every morning. I shop at North Bondi Grocer and spend weekend afternoons at North Bondi Rocks. I really have no reason to leave!

What do you love most about the coastal lifestyle of Bondi? How does it help ignite your creativity and shape your writing?

Growing up in DC, a three-hour drive from the nearest beach, I have such an appreciation for living a two-minute walk from one now. I don't drink anymore so I appreciate that Bondi offers so many ways I can catch up with people, other than going to a bar. We can do a coastal walk, go for a swim or to the markets, brunch or café hop. I also love doing a swim and sauna at Icebergs on weekend afternoons. And hearing the waves from my window.

I love the lifestyle Bondi offers so much and I think that happiness seeps into everything I do – writing included. It's such a treat getting to work while I'm at Café Bondi, taking a break from work with a Pilates class. It's also handy to live in Bondi as a lot of PR events are held here. Easy commute for me.

How do you spend an average day?

On weekdays, I work as a lifestyle editor for digital publications. I go into the office in the city two days and work from Café Bondi and home the rest of the week. Like with many jobs, every day is different, which I really appreciate. I love that I get the chance to learn new things every day.

I also create content for the publications' Instagram and TikTok channels. We have a talented social director, so I've been learning a lot from her, which I've been implementing in my own TikTok content (you can follow me and watch me get better at TikTok at @sangeetatatiana!). On average, I go to three evening PR events a week. I hate saying no to events – I get FOMO. What if I miss an event everyone’s still talking about years from now?

On weekends, I start my day with a coffee at Café Bondi and Pilates at Body By Berner. Then I'll hang out with friends, deep clean my apartment or catch up on MAFS. My weekends look very different now that I've stopped drinking.

"Growing up in DC a three-hour drive from the nearest beach, I have such an appreciation for living a two-minute walk from one now. I don't drink anymore so I appreciate that Bondi offers so many ways I can catch up with people, other than going to a bar. We can do a coastal walk, go for a swim or to the markets, brunch or café hop. I also love doing a swim and sauna at Icebergs on weekend afternoons. And hearing the waves from my window."

As a local, you no doubt know Bondi well! What are some of your favourite hang outs and/or activities, and why?

The Wayside Chapel charity store on Roscoe Street is a hidden gem – I’ve found so many like-new designer clothing pieces there. I love North Bondi Boat Ramp, especially at sunset. Bondi Icebergs swim and sauna is such a treat all year round. Body By Berner has to be the most beautiful Pilates studio in Sydney, possibly the country. And Rocker, of course, does great pasta.

Photography: Ethan Smart

Do you have any tips for those interested in pursuing a career like yours?

They say, "If you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life". I feel that way working in lifestyle journalism – I learn new things about the world and how we live every day. But the media industry is competitive, so you have to hustle and stand out (like in many industries).

A friend told me that years ago on a journalism internship with a magazine, the editor asked her to buy her sushi. Recently, she emailed the editor with the subject line, "I bought you sushi once". The editor would get 500+ emails a day, I'm sure. That subject line had made her open the email. That story illustrated such a simple way to stand out.

If you want to get into written journalism, you could start a Substack so a potential employer can read your work. Or if you want to get into video, you could post on a personal TikTok so employers can see your editing skills and get a feel for your personality.

Also look at the careers of people you admire for inspo. When I wanted to get into freelance travel writing, I bought a bunch of newspapers and magazines with travel stories and Googled all the authors’ bylines, studying their online portfolios.

I noticed one freelance travel writer had based herself in Bali and was the expert on Bali for Australian publications. She wrote about Bali's new hotels, restaurants and beach clubs and VISA rules. I decided to do similar and for a few months, I lived in Bali and positioned myself as a correspondent.