Kathleen Hessman, aspiring broadcast journalist
Career Q & A Interview: Part 5 of 5-Career focus, favorite and challenging aspects of the business.
Comm Creatives-People:
Which role are you leaning more towards, the on-air talent; the behind-the-scenes writer/producer or the technical/video editor? Why?
Kathleen Hessman:
“Over the past few years I have actually switched between wanting the on-air talent position and being a writer/producer. This is simply because I have been part of so many different experiences that have shown me first-hand what these types of positions are like. When I first started my major in broadcast journalism, it was my dream to be on air reporting and being an anchor for a news show someday. Along the way I discovered how great producing is and that is why I decided to try two different internships: one with production type work (CNN Heroes) and one with observing reporters out in the field (WFSB-TV). Based on both experiences, I cannot say at the moment what I’m leaning towards: I enjoyed both experiences very much. Since the job market isn’t doing so well right now, I feel especially open to applying to all jobs and seeing what comes my way.”
Comm Creatives-People:
What are the most favorable and the most challenging aspects of broadcast journalism for you?
Kathleen Hessman:
“What I love about broadcast journalism is being able to tell a story to the viewers. While a reporter is mostly assigned a story, the reporter has control over what sound bites they want and what b-roll to put over their voiceovers, etc. I love the creative aspect of broadcasting because it is such a visual medium. You don’t necessarily get that in radio, you’re mostly working with your voice to keep listeners intrigued with what you’re saying. Because I am a visual learner I enjoy being able to tell stories through pictures. I love being able to meet new people and investigate certain topics I am interested in. I love being able to share the news on camera and formulating stand-ups and ways to tell the story. While all of this takes a lot of time (the process of making a news package), I enjoy it and the final product is well worth any stress I may face!”
