Class of
2008
Bio: I rep ATVN from the 559 now at the ABC O&O in Fresno. Currently I produce the 6pm show during the week. It’s a fun show to work, because it’s entirely LOCAL, which means it’s all stuff we have shot or gathered ourselves.
My last year at ATVN, I also worked weekends at KABC in the Web Department. That’s in addition to spending all my other free time (what free time?) during the week at ATVN.
Awards: 2008- L.A. Press Club
Best Student Website
ATVN positions and duties: Executive Producer, Producer, Reporter, Director, Technical Director, PLAYBACK!
How did ATVN prepare you for your current job?
I produce a TV newscast that goes on live at 6:00 p.m. At ATVN, I produced a TV newscast that went on live at 6:00 p.m.
You can’t ask for better real-world preparation than that.
What is your advice to aspiring journalists?
Don’t give up and always give it your all. If you really have a passion for what you’re doing, whether it’s in front or behind the camera, don’t ever give it up. If you’re serious about it, you’ll do just fine.
What are the top three skills college journalism students should be working on in order to be prepared for their first broadcasting job?
The three “R"s are fitting here: Reading, ‘Riting, ‘Rithmetic
1) Reading—live and breath news. I don’t care if you read the paper or read it online, but make sure it nearly becomes an obsession to know what’s going on in the world.
2) Writing—make sure you can write! You’ll be doing A LOT of it, and the better you are, the easier a time you’ll have.
3) Arithmetic—especially for producers, but for anyone really. If you can’t add up your time properly to write a story/produce a show within your time limits, you’re going to be in trouble.
What is the most important thing a college journalist should know when he or she is trying to negotiate his or her first job?
Don’t let anyone pressure you into accepting a job that you’re not ready to accept. If someone gives you a 24-hour window after offering you the job, it’s not worth it. If they really wanted you and valued your work, they’d respect you enough to give you some time to decide. Also, be wary of offers that come immediately after—or even BEFORE—you interview for the position. Make sure to give it some time and consider your options before jumping into a contract with the first station to offer you something.
What prepared you most for your current job?
ATVN. Plain and simple.
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