Questions for the Professionals

This week my producing class will visit ABC7 in Glendale. I am very excited to finally get a close up look at a mainstream news station. I hope to work as a television news reporter or producer in the future. How wonderful it is that I can visit my dream workplace in advance! With less than half a year to graduate, I have many questions for the professionals at ABC7 in regard to job hunting. I am also interested in learning about how to balance career and personal life, as well as the long-term prospect of the industry.

1.     What is the recruitment process at network television news stations?

2.     When hiring people who are straight out of college, what qualities are you looking for?

3.     What’s the appropriate way to dress if I want to apply for an on-air job?

4.     What are some of the common mistakes you see job applicants making?

5.     Many of us are going into the job market very soon. How should we compare different stations and find out which is the best match or has the most potential for us?

6.     What is your favorite and least favorite part about working in television news?

7.     Please share things that you wish you had known as an inexperienced reporter or producer.

8.     How do you set your career goals?

Unlike other professions that have a more structured path for promotion, how should news reporters or producers set their long-term career goals?

9.     How often do you have to make compromises because of corporate interest?

10.  With the trend of globalization and rise of social media, where do you see television news going?

Finally, I want to ask any female reporters or producers about how they balance personal life and work. I know journalism is not an easy field and many people have to make a lot of sacrifices and work around the clock. I’d like to know if they have any tips or words of wisdom.