She became well-known for her work as a news anchor on Telenoche, Channel 4. In 2017, she decided to move to Argentina to pursue a master’s degree in journalism at Torcuato di Tella University.
After spending three years living in Argentina, Camila Pírez, a graduate of the Bachelor’s Degree in Communication with a concentration in Journalism from Universidad ORT Uruguay, returned to Uruguay in 2020.
During his stay in the neighboring country, in addition to studying, he gained firsthand insight into how major media outlets, such as La Nación, operate. He also served on the staff of Fundación Nordelta, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for families living in vulnerable neighborhoods surrounding Nordelta, in Buenos Aires.
Today, alongside Mauricio Almada and Miguel Chagas, he hosts the program *Justos y Pecadores* on Radio Uruguay and produces his podcast *Propósitos*, an initiative that emerged during the pandemic and shares stories of people who found their purpose in life through a crisis.
In this interview, Pírez talks about his current career, his time in Buenos Aires, and his experience in various fields of communication.
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What is your current professional situation like?
In September 2020, when I returned to the country from Argentina, I joined VTV. The network gave me the opportunity to work in journalism again, and it was a wonderful experience working with the team.
Later, an opportunity arose to work at Radio Uruguay, and I accepted the challenge to co-host a morning show and produce content for public media, with a focus on current events and solutions.
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How did the " Propósitos" podcast project come about?
"Propósitos" came about in the midst of the pandemic in Argentina. I was in Buenos Aires during the mandatory quarantine, and I started thinking about several people I’d wanted to interview but hadn’t had the chance to. People who spoke of a journey of self-discovery and a crisis that allowed them to find their life’s purpose—that which motivates them and makes them happy. I did some research on the format and started recording the interviews to publish them later. One interview led to another, and in the end, it became a journey of personal exploration toward my own purpose—and I believe I’m currently on that path.
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As a journalist, what do you think is the value of the podcast format, and why do you think it has gained prominence recently?
Podcasts are a wonderful format that allow us to create content on a wide variety of topics to listen to whenever we feel like it. They’re accessible, user-friendly, offer endless possibilities, and provide a valuable and enriching space.
I think that recently, uncertainty, loneliness, time spent at home, and rethinking many of our routines have led us to seek new answers in role models and content to overcome our fears and reinvent ourselves.
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Which skills you gained from ORT’s Bachelor’s Degree in Communication do you use on a daily basis?
I think all of them. First, an understanding of what it means to be a journalist. Second, our role as intermediaries. And third, beyond the specific tools and formats we’ve learned, the opportunity to forge our own paths and open ourselves up to different experiences.
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In 2017 and 2018, you completed the Master’s in Journalism at Torcuato di Tella University in Buenos Aires. What was that experience like?
It was a very positive experience in every way. Academically, it was an opportunity to continue my education under the guidance of outstanding professors and to learn how things are done in another country and in other media outlets, such as *La Nación*.
For me personally, it was a journey of growth that meant starting over, in a different place, in a city that’s always on the go and has plenty of stories and places to discover.
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After completing your master’s degree, you stayed in Buenos Aires until 2020. How did you experience that time, both professionally and personally?
It was quite a change, because after finishing my master’s degree,I had the opportunity to work for the Nordelta Foundation in the volunteer program.The dynamic there was completely different, because I was involved in several projects that focused on the holistic development of vulnerable communities by creating opportunities.
Together with residents from different neighborhoods, our team, and volunteers, we organize workshops, tutoring sessions, donation drives, and opportunities for dialogue to learn about different realities, build bridges, and propose solutions.
Looking back, I think it was a challenging experience that taught me a lot and showed me other possibilities for what I can do with my skills and who I am as a person.
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Although your career is closely tied to journalism, you’ve also worked in other areas of communications. In which roles do you feel most comfortable?
I feel comfortable in places where I can be myself and where I feel I can contribute to the goals and objectives set forth. My responsibilities may change, but my commitment to service remains, along with my curiosity and eagerness to learn—the driving force that keeps me moving forward.
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What kind of legacy would you like to leave through your work?
The fact that I have tried to contribute to a world that is more just and compassionate, always grateful and learning from both the opportunities and the failures that lead you to become a better version of yourself.