Making a Difference Through Reporting

Welcome to a new series highlighting everyday women who love their jobs. Learn what a day in the life looks like, and discover how God has led them to where they are today.

What three words would a close friend or family member use to describe you?

Compassionate, silly, confident.

When you were a little girl, what did you want to be?

I've always loved news! When I was little, I would wake up early to watch the morning show before school and then have my own 'newscasts' in front of the stove. I'd pretend it was a TV and my sister was my co-anchor :)

In college I majored in Journalism/TV video production and I have been a news anchor and reporter for 13 years.

Did you always know you want to be doing what you’re doing now? If not, who or what led you there?

I've always felt like this is what I wanted and needed to do with my life, but last year there was a moment where I questioned if it was worth it anymore...I tried looking for Public Relations jobs but kept striking out. God had other plans!

I connected with a girl over social media and within two weeks accepted a full-time anchor position...it was a whirlwind!

What gets you excited about going into work?

I love watching history, and being a journalist, in many ways, helps me watch history as it's happening. It's thrilling!

What does a typical day look like for you?

Well, my first alarm goes off at 1:45 a.m...(I know)... after I pull myself out of bed, brush my teeth and chug some coffee, I head into work. From there around 3 a.m., I read, write and go through every script for a 2 hour morning show. I go back into our make up room, and put my face and hair together...and then, IT'S SHOWTIME!

From 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. we're live...after the show, we have a few news cut ins and I help write web stories, edit videos for the web and more. It can be a hustle some days!

What do you love most about your job?

I love people...when I was reporting more, I would meet people who were experiencing one of the worst days/times of their life...spending a brief amount of time with them, I always felt like I was helping them perhaps forget about their heartache for a moment, smile, give them a hug, share the Gospel or help the community see their loved one as more than just a victim.

What are the challenging aspects of your job?

There's a lot of pressure and tight deadlines - think writing a 3 page paper (that has to be PERFECT) on a subject, you have NO idea about, from scratch within about 2 hours. There's also a lot of rejection...asking people to do an on camera interview is 7 out of 10 times met with a firm no, or an excuse to not do it. It's hard not to take the no personally.

What is one advice you would give to someone who is interested in doing what you are doing?

You have to have a heart for news - there are days where you'll feel like you've really made a difference, helped someone and advocated for a community...and then there are days where everyone around you will tear you down with harsh criticisms. It's important to remember that it's not you - it's them. Other people's behavior, reaction and words are often based on their own issues and insecurities.

If you're in news just to be on TV, you will not make it. You'll work long hours, for little pay, and your 'why' has got to be the foundation.

What specific skills or educational background are needed for someone to be successful in this role?

A Bachelor's Degree in journalism is critical. In news, a Master's Degree isn't really relevant simply because this is likely the only industry where you'll not be compensated more for higher education.

It comes down to experience - if you can get an internship, get as many as you can! If you're interning - challenge yourself!

Ask questions, push yourself to step out of your comfort zone and ask everyone in the newsroom if you can help.

What are some current issues and trends in this field that someone should be aware of?

Right now there is a nationwide belief that journalists are the enemy and 'fake news' exists. It's baffling. A country cannot be free, without a free press but the political climate we're living in, so many believe that journalists are lying. There's the understanding that if you don't like a news story, then it must be a lie or it's fake. Freedom of the Press is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution for a reason....

Has your faith played a role in your professional journey? If so, how?

Absolutely! I love being able to share God and His graces in my reporting. When I was reporting in East Tennessee, we had a deadly wildfire in 2016. For months I was talking to survivors who lost their homes, their belongings, their loved ones...it was draining.

There was a point in time where I cried with almost every family I met and at the end, we always spoke about how this experience was a way to glorify the Lord. He led us to each other so we could in some ways worship...I made it a point to end my stories (when I could) with a soundbite of them sharing God's hope.

What do you wish you had known before you started in this field/industry?

You're capable of SO much - so much more than you think - and at the end of the day, everything is going to be okay.

Are you able to establish a work/life balance in your work? Why or why not?

It's genuinely taken nearly my whole career to find a healthy balance. It's hard with news, because there's the pressure to always be on top of everything. When I leave work, I try not to check email or any of our Slack/Microsoft teams messages.

If you weren’t in this role, what would you be interested in pursuing?

I think if I wasn't in news, I would love to be in historical preservation. I love looking at the past, exploring experiences and understanding why things happened the way that it did.

What is one thing you are looking forward to about your professional career this year?

I'm excited to continue growing as an anchor and building relationships. On top of that, I'm hoping to do more volunteering for organizations struggling during the pandemic.