Skip navigation
Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism University of Southern California
ALUMNI

Kjerstin Ramsing

Class of 2004, Bachelor's



Kjerstin Ramsing is an award winning reporter and anchor. She loves to cover breaking news and meeting new people while on assignment.

Recently, Kjerstin won an Emmy for "Breaking News" from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

After growing up in Seattle, Kjerstin moved south to sunny California, attending the University of Southern California. She earned a bachelors degree in Broadcast Journalism and studied International Relations. Her fondest news moment while in college was flying with the Blue Angels. Kjerstin was the weather anchor and feature reporter for the college TV station Annenberg TV News.

After that, she packed up her bags and moved to Farmington, New Mexico where she was a general assignment reporter and then later became the morning anchor for KOBF-TV. Kjerstin won both Associated Press and New Mexico Broadcasting Association awards while covering the news in the Land of Enchantment.

Kjerstin then took a job in Spokane, Washinton at KXLY4. While there she won an Associated Press award for her feature story on the fashion statement known as a “Nubrella”. She was also honored with the title “best TV reporter” by readers of the Inlander newspaper. Kjerstin is active in the community volunteering her time. In the past she has put in countless hours with the Salvation Army, reading to children at the library, and working as an advocate for the visually impaired.

Her parents live in Seattle, while her younger (but much taller) brother is off to Officer Candidate School for the Navy. Kjerstin is a Delta Gamma and loves getting together with sisters that are now spread out all over the country. In her spare time, Kjerstin enjoys skiing in the winter, tennis, reading, sailing and road biking all year long. Her goal every summer is to grow at least 5 tomatoes in her backyard; so far so good.

Survey

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

1. Never burn bridges. It is so important to keep contacts and stay on terms with everyone you meet - they may be your boss one day.
2. Write thank you notes to those who have helped you along the way.
3. Know how to get your work done very quickly and without errors. An error can get you fired.



What were your duties at ATVN? :

I did a little bit of everything for ATVN. I performed audio in the newsroom, assistant director, weather woman, and reporting.  Getting involved and volunteering to try everything made all the difference in the world.



How did ATVN prepare you for your career?:

ATVN has provided very fond memories. Teachers and friends pushed me to take risks in reporting...asking the tough questions...pushing for the interview...and taking a chance and reporting on stories that may have made you feel uncomfortable at the time.  I remember one story I did- the horrible fires in the hills...ATVN had no
contact and no real location. Another reporter and I got in the car and just drove.  In my current job we hear something on the scanner and just go- you have to think on your feet and gather the information quickly...asking to speak to someone in charge right off the bat is so important. 



What is your advice to aspiring journalists?:

Never let go of the dream- even when you are eating mac and cheese and sitting in a cold and lonely apartment and no one will visit you because they have never even heard of where you live.



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

Visit the location, so often once you meet the director in person they can’t not like you.  Once you get the job try and get as much vacation time as you can in your contract.

Twitter Feed