Class of

Bio:

In high school I worked as a photographer / audio operator / MCO at KTTC in Rochester, MN (market 153). After college I moved to Minneapolis to work for WCCO as a satellite and microwave truck operator. One year later I accepted a senior technician position at KMSP. In the fall of 2002 they offered me the News Technical Operatations Manager position.

ATVN positions and duties:

Director and technical director.

How did ATVN prepare you for your current job?

It helped me grow up. Remember being a stupid high school kid? Well after that I was a stupid college kid. Somehow during the next four years, after making plenty of mistakes and failing a few times, you learn how to focus, be responsible, and communicate. Directing helped me hone my communication skills and taught me how to remain calm and focus in stressful situations.

What are the top three skills college journalism students should be working on in order to be prepared for their first broadcasting job?

Writing, time management, and the ability to work/communicate with anybody.

What is the most important thing a college journalist should know when he or she is trying to negotiate his or her first job?

First, if you decide you’ll only work in a certain city, state, or region, you’re only limiting your options. News directors get dozens, if not hundreds of tapes and resumes for each opening, so you have very little leverage. Your first job isn’t about the money… it is an opportunity for you to work in news every day, continue to grow rapidly, and demonstrate that you can live up to your potential. Most reporters and producers are lucky to make enough to pay the bills at their first job. And that is OK. Accept it and work hard to better position yourself for the next step.

What prepared you most for your current job?

My previous job. And for that job, my job before that. (At one point, ATVN was one of those “jobs"). Treat each step as an opportunity to prepare yourself for what is next. Don’t be afraid to try something new, then learn from your mistakes. Do everything that is in your power to create future opportunties for yourself by working extremely hard and learning something new every day.

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