Swapna Krishna stands in nature and thinks about space.
Can a fascination of space and fantasy lead to a career?
Swapna Krishna is a host and writer. Krishna writes at the intersection of space, science, technology, and pop culture for outlets such as Engadget, Fast Company, The Verge, Slate, and more. She is also the host and writer for PBS’s Far Out, a YouTube show on the future of science and technology. Swapna Krishna joins Forbes to talk about her out-of-this-world career and writing path.
Goldie Chan: Hello Swapna, thanks for joining us. What has your career path been?
Swapna Krishna: Varied, to say the least! I’ve been writing professionally for a long time, but I’m always trying to do something new. I started out writing about and reviewing books, actually, and grew as a writer until I managed to transition into tech. That’s when I was able to really come out of my shell as a space reporter.
I was lucky to be able to make the shift from books to tech, space, and science because I had a track record of writing on these subjects for fun before I started writing about them professionally – basically I was able to show I could do it because I’d already done it. I worked hard, but I was also incredibly fortunate.
Chan: How has space and space exploration been an inspiration for your career?
Krishna: I am a die hard Star Trek fan, and have been since I was a child. It’s what got me interested in science, technology, and space exploration. My love for space is the reason I do what I do. And, as a bonus, I get to cover Star Trek for different outlets, including StarTrek.com, which I never thought I’d be able to do!
Chan: What has been your favorite space project that you’ve worked on?
Krishna: I’m absolutely loving the show I’m doing with PBS Digital Studios called Far Out which is a YouTube show looking at the future of science and technology. I’m always happiest when I’m learning new things, and the topics we’re tackling are fascinating – from smart homes to cannabis. I learn something new with each script. Plus I’ve never been on screen talent before this! Figuring out how to navigate a shoot, how to talk to the camera and seem natural, how to script versus write for people reading my articles – it’s such a challenge and I’m learning so much. I love it.
Chan: What is an inspiring space or science story that has resonated with you?
Krishna: I find the images coming out of JWST, NASA’s newest great observatory, to be incredibly inspirational. And I’m finding so much enjoyment breaking them down on TikTok – every time one comes out, it reminds me why I do what I do.
Chan: How would you describe your personal brand?
Krishna: My brand is really at the intersection of space, science, technology, and pop culture. I talk about all these things a lot, but what I really hope people take away from any interaction with me (or anything they see on the internet) is that I try very hard to be positive. It’s not that I don’t criticize when something or someone deserves it, but I don’t take pleasure in ripping things apart and instead would rather focus on things that bring me joy.
Chan: What are you currently working on?
Krishna: I write a column at Wired every other week called Casual Gamer, which is about playing video games as a very tired parent. I’ve also got a book coming out from Chronicle next year, called A Pocket Guide to Stargazing, and it’s just a small book about using the night sky to help with mindfulness. I’m working on a sci-fi novel that might never see the light of day, and there are of course one or two things going on that I can’t talk about – but I’m very excited for the day when I can.
Chan: What do you do to uplift others in your community?
Krishna: This is such a good, important question. It baffles me when people say something like a simple retweet of something someone else is trying to promote is not their brand. Like, if your brand isn’t lifting up others, then I’m not really interested in it at all.
Throughout my career, I’ve benefited from people who have suggested me for cool projects or recommended me when they were unavailable for something. Networking and personal recommendations can make or break a career, and I try to keep that in mind. Every time I have a success and am on my way up, I try to reach back and pull someone up with me. I think it’s so important to uplift others.
Chan: Any last branding or career advice?
Krishna: Personal branding can suck a whole lot if you’re trying to brand yourself as someone you’re not. I enjoy having a platform and interacting with others across it because what you see is what you get. Of course I don’t talk about every aspect of my life online, but I’m very much the person that you see. My advice would be – don’t try to be someone you’re not. People can sense that lack of authenticity, plus it’s just no fun to keep up a facade all the time.
