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Student Reporter Kalea Gunderson

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at WVU chapter.

Q: When did you start working for WDTV? How did you get the job?

A: I started in May 2015. I was looking for summer internships and I heard about the job through the Reed College of Media, and thought it was so cool that I could apply while still in school. So, I applied not really thinking I would get it at all and when I got the call I was shocked and so excited.

Q: What made you want to become a broadcast journalist to begin with? How old were you?

A: As weird as it sounds… I was in elementary school. I would always watch the news when my parents had it on, and just thought it was interesting. When Natalie Tenant was still a news reporter in Charleston she came to my house one day to interview my dad, and I remember just thinking I wanted to do what she as doing.

Q: Is it hard to balance school and work?

A: It was hard at first. I started during the summer so I didn’t have much on my plate, but when the fall semester rolled around, I realized how much I was used to putting off all my work until Saturday/Sunday afternoons, which I no longer have. Plus I have a second job during the week so things can get pretty hectic sometimes!

Q: Where do you hope to end up in your career?

A: There are several cities I would love to work in, but as for long term I’ll have to see. I would love to eventually cover international news and travel for the job!

Q: Do you have any advice for young people who are hoping to enter the broadcast world?

A: Just to seek out opportunities to gain experience. It’s never too early to get started building a resume especially when college goes by so fast.

Q: Who is a role model for you in Broadcast Journalism or someone who has inspired you?

A: Brooke Baldwin, CNN, because she is just all around great at what she does, a hard worker and genuinely talented. She also started from the literal bottom of the industry and worked her way to the top, so that’s pretty inspiring to me.

Q: Lastly, we’d love to finish with a fun fact!

A: I have a pet pig… named Winnie?

  I grew up in Charleston, West Virginia. Growing up here I knew there was a possibility of going to West Virginia University my entire life. Although I decided to start my college career at the University of Kentucky, those country roads led me back to WVU in the spring of my sophomore year. This was also the point when I decided to establish myself as a Broadcast Journalist student. Since this point I have strived to become the best possible journalist I can be. I am currently working as a weekend reporter for WDTV-Channel 5 in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Prior to receiving this position, I worked as an intern with WCHS-tv/FOX11, in the summer of 2014, where I learned critical editing, interviewing, writing, and speaking skills. I worked closely with anchors, reporters, editors, directors, producers, and even the web team. Aside from the television industry, I am the Campus Correspondent for the West Virginia University Chapter of the online entertainment magazine, Her Campus. Another position I currently hold is the Social Media Chair of WVU’s Radio Television Digital News Association Chapter. In the Fall of 2012, I became a sister of the Alpha Phi Fraternity, in which I held the position of ‘Big Sister Chairman.’ My other passions include horse back riding, scuba diving, being outdoors, and running. I am very adventurous and I try to stay well rounded. My goal in life is to live life to the fullest and be the best possible version of myself. My ultimate goal would be to earn a spot as a reporter/anchor for Fox News, New York. I plan to graduate in December of 2016 and look forward to my future.