Katie Brown

Television producer

1. When did you first know you wanted to work in broadcast journalism?

When I was in high school I really enjoyed debate class. Public speaking was such a thrill. When I got a scholarship to University of Missouri-Columbia, I found out that it was one of the best journalism schools in the country. I figured talking to a camera was probably a lot like talking to a room full of people. I ended up loving the newsroom but switching to a more behind-the-scenes role. As a producer, I am more of a manager in the newsroom.

2. What classes/activities/clubs did you take in high school that you think were helpful in preparing you for your career?

As I mentioned, debate was the most important thing I did in high school. The two big skills I learned were confidence in speaking to people and research skills. Of course, these will help out in almost any career ambition, but they are particularly useful for a journalist.

3. In what activities or clubs did you participate in college that helped you achieve your goals?

In college I worked at the local NBC station. It was a great place to test my skills and fall flat on my face sometimes. I would suggest that anyone interested in TV news try working at a TV station while in college. You might find you love it, or it might be a good place to figure out you hate it.

4. What courses/programs of study did you take in college to work toward your career?

I have a Bachelor of Journalism degree with an emphasis in broadcast news from the University of Missouri-Columbia. It is nationally recognized as one of the best journalism schools in the country.

5. Did you participate in an internship/cooperative education program?

I did several internships while I lived at home during the summers. I worked at two different television stations, and I also worked for a public relations firm. All of these experiences helped me figure out what I wanted to do for a living.

6. What was your first job out of college?

I worked as a morning show producer for KCCI-TV in Des Moines, Iowa. I worked overnight (11 p.m.-8 a.m.) five days a week to put together the two-hour morning newscast.

7. What are the required skills that are needed in your field?

Good writing, interviewing, speaking, working on deadline, multi-tasking, and overall flexibility are essential to working in local TV news. The entire newscast might be done and ready to go, and then at 9:30 p.m., a tornado hits town and everything has to change. It's just the nature of the business.

8. Was there any kind of special training involved for your career after college?

No.

9. What kind(s) of compensation can a new graduate expect in the field of journalism?

It varies: some people start out at a $15,000 salary. Others are closer to $25,000. One thing is for certain: you won't be rich right out of college if you go into TV news.

What about after five years? Ten years?

This is when you can make some good money. Only a few�reporters who move up quickly and become anchors�will do that. By the time you are 32, it is possible to be an anchor making six figures in a major market. If you go to the management route, you might be a news director, making $70,000 or more in a mid-sized market.

10. What kind(s) of personalities work best in this field?

People who are aggressive and don't give up succeed in television news. There are a lot of harsh people in the business, and the ones who can tough it out will succeed.

11. What are the most important pieces of advice you would give someone who is interested in the field?

It is definitely not for everyone. If you think it seems glamorous, please get an internship and see for yourself. It may live up to your ideal, but it may not. An internship is really the only way to find out.

12. What do you wish you would have known about the field before you entered your current occupation?

I didn't realize how tough it is to have a family while in this business. You work long hours�usually not 9 a.m.-5 p.m. You will work nights, overnights, weekends, and holidays. While everyone else has Christmas off, you'll still be at work because there is a 10 p.m. newscast that has to air. This can be particularly tough on relationships and families. Be sure that if this is what you want to do that you find a partner who will support your choice.

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