Skip to main content

Why I chose journalism

The thrill of hoping my news story gets done in time gets my adrenaline pumping. The balance of fact checking and being reliable, while also working on a tight deadline is such a rush. 

In one year, I plan to graduate from Troy University with a degree in broadcast journalism. Because of this, I have recently been weighing my options for potential news markets to start off in; which is insane to me.

By the time I graduate I will have been preparing to enter the news industry for eight years, and I often find myself looking back at where I started. 

I was around the age of 13 when I first taught myself how to edit video. I would record low quality videos on my little, black camcorder and edit them in Windows Movie Maker. I had so much fun adding fonts and transitions to what I created. I produced mini shows and forced my younger brother to participate in them. I knew I liked editing and telling stories, but I don’t think I realized I could do it for a living until high school. 

I went to Thompson High School in Alabaster, Alabama. The school was like any other American high school, but THS really stressed that each student chose an academy to study in. From engineering to health care, my school had plenty of options to choose from. I chose the TV and Film Academy, and for the next four years studied broadcast journalism alongside my first TV mentor, Brooke Dennis. 

I first discovered my voice as a journalist through THS TV. I reported on the construction of my school’s new high school facility for four years. I even tackled more controversial topics, such as the 2016 presidential election and discussion on transgender bathroom rights. I anchored my school’s newscast and was even awarded the Alabama Scholastic Press Association’s 2017 Journalist of the Year; this was a massive deal for me at the time. I remember being almost moved to tears because my work had been recognized. 

Throughout high school I did internships with local media outlets, which further strengthened my love for the craft of journalism. I knew if I wanted to go into this industry, I needed to find a university with a program that would mold me further. 

I chose Troy University as my number one school, a decision I standby to this day. At Troy, I work alongside professors who have worked in the news business, I produce content for our student newspaper and work each night at TROY TrojanVision News as the student news director.

My story is far from over, and I’m eager to keep on telling it. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Localize it: Coronavirus

Apart of being an effective journalist is localizing stories. What does that mean? It means I examine the impact broad, national or international stories are having on our local communities. Every story must put people first, so by looking at how people are being affected in a smaller community, we understand the real implications of a large newsworthy event.  The Chinese Coronavirus has made many headlines lately, and rightfully so. CNBC reports that 563 people in China have died so far from the disease, with a confirmed 28,000 cases reported.  The outbreak has been devasting for the people of China, which is why countries are keeping a close eye on international travel to and from the region. People fear the spread of the virus.  How could an outbreak in China be localized? Well, now it’s in the United States. As of Wednesday, NBC reports that 12 cases of the disease have been brought into the U.S. This may remind some Americans of the Ebola outbreak that...
Post a Comment
Read more

A look behind the lens

You look new, welcome to “Views from the News!” On this weekly blog I will provide a look behind the lens, hence the title, of a broadcast journalist. Many people see the glamor of being on television before the long hours of blindly finding sources, running around, conducting interviews and creating news content.  My name is Brady Talbert, and I currently study broadcast journalism at Troy University. At Troy, I serve as the student news director, reporter, anchor and producer at TROY TrojanVision News ; our daily television newscast. I am also a staff writer for The Tropolitan , the student produced newspaper. I have also interned with professional print publications, radio stations and video production companies. I am passionate about the world of journalism and am always eager to share it with others.  Here, you will see how the stories I tell on TV and in print come together. I will also provide a deeper, closer look at topics I have or will cover. I wa...
Post a Comment
Read more

Don’t be afraid to be a source

Sources! Sources! Sources! Sources are an essential part of creating a news story. Whether it be for radio, television or print, news cannot be reported without them.  So, what exactly is a source? A source is someone who provides a journalist with information. They can be a well-educated, insightful professional who provides detailed facts or simply a citizen sharing their opinion on the topic at hand. The latter is the type of source I am talking about now.  Often times I find myself searching for an average, everyday person to share their thoughts. Whether it be on new legislation, something controversial or even someone’s thoughts on a community service project, people are often reluctant to stand in front of a camera and be interviewed.   I get it, I really do. A camera can be scary for some, and I have to remind myself that not everyone is used to it. I often find myself coaxing people into doing an interview, and people usually commit once the...
Post a Comment
Read more