

Before joining KATU-TV, Lia worked at KRCR NewsChannel 7 as producer for Daybreak, the station’s 90-minute morning newscast. Lia grew up in Seattle, Washington and has been in California since she began college. Lia loves the outdoors and hopes to spend many weekends exploring outdoor destinations here in the Northstate. While at USC, Lia worked as ATVN’s graduate associate, produced the show, and reported, too.
SurveyWhat new skills do you think journalists need? :
Know your worth and head into your negotiation with confidence. But above all, make sure you love what you do, because no matter how great you are as a negotiator you’re still going to be paid much less than your friend the business major for your efforts.
What are the top three skills journalism students should learn in college?:
Learning to write quickly and well is a given, as are all the mechanics of putting together a tight, clean show or package. But as I said above, you also need to learn how to make decisions quickly and effectively and you need to know your strengths and weaknesses, so you can cultivate your strong points and compensate for the skills you’re still working on.
What were your duties at ATVN? :
Producer, reporter, graduate associate/assignment desk manager.
How did ATVN prepare you for your career?:
ATVN was the best training I could have possibly had for my current job. The software at KRCR is slightly different, but the fundamentals are all the same. The most important skill I have is one I learned at ATVN: how to control my fear and make smart decisions quickly, even in a crisis.
What is your advice to aspiring journalists?:
Never give up. There were times when the road from where I was to employment as a professional journalist seemed endless. Create whatever opportunities you can for yourself and keep fighting until you make it.
CONDOM CONTROVERSY
Activists protested outside a drug store because of its policy of locking up condoms.
COMMUNITY RESPONSE
A roommate of hit-and-run victim Adrianna Bachan remembers her friend.
USC Hit and Run
Police ask for public's help tracking down suspects in morning press conference
EARTHQUAKE EFFECTS
Earthquakes off the coast have seismologists wondering if "the big one" is on its way.
TEACHER LAYOFFS
Parents and teachers protested after the Los Angeles Unified School District agreed to authorize layoff warnings.
VOTER TURNOUT
Just a few months after the presidential election, some L.A. residents head back to the polls.
STATE BUDGET
So far Democrats are one Republican vote short of the two-thirds majority they need to pass the California budget plan.