Alumni: Erica Simmons

Erica Simmons

Class of 2003, Bachelor's

Produced the 7am, Noon and 11pm News for WWMT in Kalamazoo, Michigan for two years before moving to Dallas, TX to produce the Weekend Morning Newscasts for KTVT. I left Dallas in January 2008 to take the 5pm producer position at WRKN in Nashville, TN.

Survey

What are the top three skills journalism students should learn in college?:

Active writing, quick writing, and accuracy.

What were your duties at ATVN? :

News Writer, Reporter, News Producer

How did ATVN prepare you for your career?:

ATVN helped me to write quickly, understand what it’s like to be in the field, and make quick decisions in the control room.

What is your advice to aspiring journalists?:

Decide what being a journalist means to you, and don’t let others sway you from doing what you know is right.

What should graduates keep in mind when negotiating their first job?:

Remember, contracts only really protect the company; not the person who’s signing it. And, be confident in your own abilities.