Class of
2006
Bio: I report for the official USC athletic site, doing stories on all the teams, behind the scenes features, plus video work for the coaches.
ATVN positions and duties: Sports Director and Executive Producer; Sports Anchor and Reporter; News Producer and Reporter
How did ATVN prepare you for your current job?
ATVN gave me a good appreciation for EVERYTHING that goes into a local newscast. I only do sports now, but I am glad I understand what it means to be a news producer or to run playback, and I understand the pressures they face so I can work better with them. Also knowing more will never hurt you, it just makes you more valuable.
What is your advice to aspiring journalists?
Two things:
1. Make non-pressure contacts – by this I mean meet people in the industry before you need a job. For the most part I have found people in this industry are very willing to help young journalists, especially if what you ask for is just some guidance. Sophomore and
junior year intern as many places as possible, visit as many stations as possible, and build a resume tape just to get advice on it even though you will never send it out. I visited several stations on a road trip after my junior year, just asking to see the station and if
they would give me advice on my tape for my senior year. One of the stations ended up having an opening a year later and I was automatically a front-runner because they remembered me and liked me. Have as many contacts as possible because you never know who will help you get that first job.
2. Be nice to your production people – when you get your first job as a reporter/anchor, treat your photographers and studio crew with nothing but respect. Help them wind cables, put away microphones, and treat them like equals and in return they will make your job a whole lot easier too.
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