What’s challenging/interesting/rewarding about my current job?

• My job allows me to really know about my community and the events around me. I love getting to meet new faces and learn about their passions and what motivates them every day. Time is the biggest challenge. You never have enough time in the day to do all the things you want for your story. You must prioritize parts of your story and work to be proficient in managing time.

How do I use various communication proficiencies in my work?

• In news you must use a variety of communication avenues. Everyday I’m talking with people in person, through email, social media and then through video to get my information or story through to the public. You have to be a jack of all trades in order to succeed and grow in the news industry.

What surprised me about my career?

• The time you must invest in the industry. I knew it wasn’t your 9-5 job, but the time you will need to dedicate can be overwhelming at first. You will learn to manage it and become a quick worker as time goes on, but at first time will feel short. I also became quickly surprised on how well you become known in the community and how often people will thank you for your work. In an age where it feels like the public is against the media, you will often find that number is very small.

Here’s my number one piece of advice for Communication undergrads:

• Grow every one of your skills that you can in college and through internships. Do not shy away from getting an internship at the place of business you ultimately want to work for. Every job will grow your skills that can be marketed to any industry your degree takes you. I’ve seen people go to PR, teaching, management and even into religious institutions that all spawned from the skills they grew in the newsroom. Do not limit your vision to a single job. The more you grow as an individual, the more fulfilled you will be and the better suited you will become to take turns at any crossroad you come upon.

What should I have asked you? 

• I don’t want people to think the news industry is doom & gloom as some believe. News is definitely not for everyone, but it can be some of the most rewarding days for those who have a true passion for it.

Class year: 2014

Previous jobs since graduation: MMJ/Radio Anchor/Fill-in News and Sports Anchor for WGEM