Class of
2006
Bio: I graduated from USC in December 2005. I had planned to come back in the spring to enjoy my last semester. On a whim, I sent a tape to WJET in Erie. When I went home for the holidays, the news director called me for an interview. Two weeks later I flew to LA and drove my life back to PA. I’m now anchoring the #1 rated morning and noon newscasts in northwest PA. It’s long hours and hard work… but there’s nothing I’d rather be doing!
ATVN positions and duties: Executive Producer, Producer, News/Weather Anchor, Reporter, Director, Technical Director, Camera, Playback…
What are the top three skills college journalism students should be working on in order to be prepared for their first broadcasting job?
1) Writing—If you can write quickly and clearly, you’ll be able to jump right in. Everything else will fall into place.
2) Meeting deadlines—Just do it. Instead of making excuses why something won’t work, just find a way to make it work.
3) Get a thick skin—Know what you are doing and why you are doing it. Always be ready to defend what you are doing. People will say things they shouldn’t say… and shoot down ideas that turn out great. If you let it get to you, you’ll get eaten alive.
What is the most important thing a college journalist should know when he or she is trying to negotiate his or her first job?
There won’t be much negotiating. If you don’t want the job, someone else will. Just make sure you know what you are signing. Don’t take a job you don’t want hoping it will get better as you go.
What prepared you most for your current job?
ATVN—it’s the real deal, you just don’t get paid for it! 402, 403 and internships were important too.
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