Meet Mills Hayes, a second-year broadcast journalism student with a minor in political science at the University of South Carolina. Mills also happens to be the station manager of Student Gamecock Television (SGTV), which is an organization on campus that allows students to inform and entertain the Gamecock community while getting hands-on experience in the broadcast profession.
SGTV members can decide which area(s) they are most interested in. There’s sports, short films, comedy, video games, entertainment, news, marketing and social media to choose from! In front of the camera or behind the scenes, students interested in filming, editing, acting, anchoring, writing and more are welcome.
Even off the clock, Mills is most likely filming and editing videos in her free time. Her goal is to become a political reporter for a major news network, and she won’t slow down until she gets there. Read on to learn more about her experiences as station manager, her plans for the future, advice for students looking to pursue a career in broadcast journalism and how to get involved with SGTV next semester.
Her Campus South Carolina: How did you first get involved with student media at USC?
Mills Hayes: I heard about it at the student organization fair my freshmen year and looked for ways to get involved. USC student media and all of the opportunities at the journalism school were the reason why I chose to come to USC instead of Clemson. I became Weekend Preview co-producer in spring 2016, News 4 director fall 2016 and station manager spring-fall 2017.
HCSC: What journalism experience do you have?
MH: I’ve covered the last two student government races here at USC as well as various events on campus. Through SGTV, I have been given the chance to interview and meet multiple university leaders in Greek life, student government, the homecoming committee and other student organizations. I interned for congressman Joe Wilson the summer after my freshmen year in Washington, D.C. Last summer I interned for a public affairs firm called JDA Frontline also in D.C., where I worked on a client’s social media presence. Ultimately, we worked with coalition groups trying to affect legislation on Capitol Hill by influencing congressmen. Additionally, I have served as a runner at a CNN Democratic town hall in fall 2015 where I took a picture with Andrew Cuomo and Hillary Clinton!
HCSC: Do you plan to join any new USC organizations in future semesters?
MH: I’m not exactly sure at the moment. I may try to contribute with other student media organizations to perfect my skills in writing, radio, design, etc. I would love to have my own podcast for WUSC Radio talking about politics or regular college struggles. I might write for The Daily Gamecock or help with Garnet and Black Magazine. We have amazing student media organizations who are led by very talented and creative people that I could definitely learn from. I’m very interested in politics, so I may look into getting involved with student government in some capacity. I love talking to people and being involved, so I would love to be of contribution in some way if I could.
HCSC: What are your plans for the rest of your time at USC?
MH: I would like to continue working with SGTV in some capacity. Obviously, if the next station manager needs my help with anything, I’m just a phone call away. I would like to continue helping with SGTV News 4 and covering events or interviewing campus leaders when they need me to. Ideally, I will be getting a local television internship soon. I also want to explore more options on campus. SGTV has been my life for three years and I’m so grateful, but I’m ready to see what else I could excel at.
HCSC: Dream job?
MH: My dream job is to be a political reporter for the White House or Capitol Hill team at any national news network in Washington, D.C. But, I won’t be picky on what network. Whoever gives me a job!
HCSC: Who is your idol and why?
MH: Megyn Kelly. If you don’t know who she is, you should. She was the host of The Kelly File on Fox News until the 2016 election cycle. She was one of the moderators for one of the presidential debates that Donald Trump was in. He thought her questions to him were unfair and biased. However, they were all things that U.S. citizens wanted to know. She asked him questions about how he had said misogynist things about Rosie O’Donnell and other women. She was fearless in her journalistic interviewing. Trump attempted to get his followers to boycott her and her Fox News segment. He tried to bully her relentlessly, and she wouldn’t have it. She left Fox News and now has a segment on the Today Show with NNC.
HCSC: What challenges have you faced working in the media field?
MH: Managing people is very hard. You can never please everyone and at times have to make decisions that are not popular. Being a leader and doing what you feel is morally right is never easy, otherwise everyone would do it. In this field there are many people with strong personalities, which can be a good thing sometimes. It can also cause conflict. Always treat people with respect. I’ve learned that you need to be respectful of all people and try to put yourself in their shoes.
HCSC: What has having such a huge role in USC student media taught you?
MH: Be kind to other people. Hold your tongue, but still stand up for what you believe. Try to do right by the people you represent. Ultimately, my staffers look up to me, and I want to be someone they wish to emulate. I want to do the right thing, but I don’t always know what that is. It’s important to always talk to people below you and actually listen to people’s concerns.
HCSC: How can joining SGTV help you if you want to pursue a career in media?
MH: It’s tremendously helpful! SGTV will give you what you put into it. As a broadcast journalism major, you won’t touch equipment like cameras or tripods until your junior year. However, as a first semester freshmen I was able to cover news stories with SGTV and learned how to use software like Adobe Premiere. I also learned valuable social media skills and how to best promote the videos I made.
HCSC: Advice for students who want to pursue a career in broadcast journalism?
MH: Do more than what you think you should. Always be one step ahead. Never settle, be lazy or be too confident in your ability. Don’t burn bridges. You never know when you may need someone’s help. Treat everyone with respect, as this business is about communication and how effective you are at it.
HCSC: What advice do you have for students that may apply for an executive position with a student organization?
MH: Do it. Don’t have regrets. If you are semi-interested in it, just apply. It may be the most rewarding experience you will ever have. You will also learn so much about yourself and your leadership style.
HCSC: How can students get involved with SGTV next semester?
MH: Attend one of the spring interest meetings or email the station manager at sasgtvsm@mailbox.sc.edu. You can also stop by our office in #344 of the Russell House! There are so many friendly people a part of SGTV that would love to point you in the right direction.
Add SGTV to your social media @SGTVatUSC, and visit the SGTV website. Follow Mills on Twitter and Instagram @Millsiepoo, and check out her latest news reel!