This week Her Campus Towson talked to Megan Gilbert, a former television news reporter and current professor in the College of Mass Communications and Communication Studies at Towson. We talked to her about college, starting her career and what it was like being a journalist.
Q: Where were you born?
A: Philadelphia
Q: What is your hometown?
A: Philadelphia (born and raised)
Q: Where did you go to high school?
A: West Philadelphia Catholic Girls’ High School. I was part of the last graduating class of all girls.
Q: Where did you attend college?
A: St. Joseph’s University (in Philadelphia). I went to graduate school at Emerson College in Boston.
5. Q: What was your major?
A: English at St. Joe’s, Mass Comm at Emerson.
Q: Were you in any sorority?
A: No
Q: What other clubs were you involved in?
A: My main activity in college was forensics-speech and debate, not science. I competed in what’s known as interpretation events. It is similar to acting. We had to travel to competitions so it took up the bulk of my free time.
Q: Where was your first job?
A: My first on-air job was at KECI-TV in Missoula, Montana.
Q: What news studios did you work at?
A: From Montana I went to KHOG-TV in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I also did some freelance work at WBAL-TV and worked full-time as a reporter at WBFF-TV-both in Baltimore.
Q: Did you enjoy it?
A: Mostly yes!
Q: Was it stressful?
A: Again, I would have to say yes. Not all the time, though.
Q: What is the most stressful part of being a journalist?
A: That’s a tough one. I don’t think I could point to one particular aspect. The stress would often come from daily deadlines. Every day you had to have a story for the evening news and it was sometimes difficult to find people who were willing to cooperate and be part of your story. But you had to find a way to make it work and make it interesting. That’s not easy to do every day. If things truly didn’t work out you had to find another story to do. That type of schedule can wear you down. Sometimes the story didn’t come together until the last minute and you had to rush to get it done. But that actually was kind of fun sometimes! Beating a deadline with seconds to spare can be thrilling.
Q: What was your favorite story that you covered?
A: I wish I had kept a list of those stories. It’s a question I’m asked often. I can’t say I have one favorite story, but I enjoyed reporting on everyday people doing extraordinary things. One of the reasons I liked reporting was it gave me the chance to meet all kinds of people.
Q: Can you give a little description of the different jobs you’ve worked?
A: For my first job I did just about everything you can in news! It was a very small television market so you had to be able to do it all. I was a reporter and anchor for the six o’clock news and sometimes I produced the news. Most days I was also my own photographer and editor. I even had to run the teleprompter with a foot pedal. When I moved to Arkansas I anchored the five o’clock news and reported for the ten o’clock news. Eventually I added the six o’clock to my anchoring duties. At WBAL I filled in as a reporter for the morning show-maybe my toughest assignment. It was very cold and very early. Eventually I worked as a general assignment reporter for any and all newscasts. I also filled in as an anchor. My main duties at WBFF included general assignment reporting.
Q: Why did you decide to become a college professor?
A: It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I always enjoyed working with younger reporters and this gives me a chance to do that type of work every day. The flexible schedule is also helpful since I have three young children.
Q: Is there any advice you can give to aspiring journalists?
A: Read, read, read. Be familiar with how to use social media effectively. Be curious about everything. Learn how to tell a good story. Don’t be afraid.
Are you an aspiring journalist? Let’s talk about it on Twitter. Follow me @nikkiroeill