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Job Prep Workshop



As a student reporter, it is extremely important to think about your future, what you would like to do and where you would like to go. Although I am a junior and still have another year until graduation, starting the job prep and search process can never happen too early.

Today, I got the opportunity to participate in the Job Prep Workshop hosted by Harrison Hove, a news manager for WUFT and UF's Innovation News Center. During the six and a half hour workshop, we got to speak to professionals in the news business such as Tammy Phillips, a recruiter for Raycom Media, and Katherine Green, former News Recruitment National Director for Scripps Media. The workshop covered a variety of topics students who are about to graduate or have very little experience in the professional industry would greatly benefit to learn about.

Check out my live tweets during the workshop below.




After Harrison went over the schedule for the day, he introduced our first guest, Stacey Readout.


She gave us lots of tips on resumes, video reels, story concepts and story execution.


Next up, we had Tammy Phillips, who works for Raycom Media as a Senior Corporate Recruiter.


Tammy continued Stacey's process of sharing tips, but this time focused on the actual job application and interview process.


Tammy also touched on the important aspects of telling a story and how to portray the messages you told in your stories during an interview.


Following Tammy, we had Teresa Hein. She runs her own consulting firm that helps news stations and incoming talent find their perfect match.


Teresa shared that the first thing TV talent applicants can do is create a website or platform where they can post all of their work to for future employers to look at.


However, you must be aware of what you are posting and to where.


Next, we spoke to Rich Garcia from WINK-TV in Fort Myers, Florida.


Rich touched on how reporters or any incoming talent should research the companies they are applying to because you never know what questions employers might ask during an interview.


The last speaker of the day was Katherine Green. She has had at least a decade's worth of experience in contract negotiation.


One thing Katherine said was during her time both in undergraduate and law school, she realized knowing her self-worth was important to remember during the hiring process.


Also, it's important to remember that your first job may not be what you expected it to be.


At the end of the workshop, I was overwhelmed (in the best way possible) by all of the important information I gathered throughout the day from each speaker. I now know how to really sell myself to employers as a student reporter and the things I should do during the job search that will help me when I get to the interview process.

Some key takeaways I have from this job prep workshop are:

  • Be confident in yourself and the work you have done. If you aren't confident in either of those aspects, recruiters, employers and news directors will be able to tell and is essentially a turn off for them. 
  • Do your homework during the job search and interview process. Finding out pieces of information on the station you are looking to work for as well as the community and lifestyles you will be creating stories for/about. This will really show news directors your genuine interest and desire to work for them at their station. 
  • Know your value. In the news industry, it is extremely easy to settle because either you're just starting out and don't know how much you should be getting paid or you just aren't comfortable negotiating a contract with your directors. It is imperative to get advice from another professional or even a lawyer to make sure your contract (even when you first start out) isn't going to surprise you a couple months down the road with hidden clauses or restrictions. 

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