Balance.
It’s my mantra on this journey as a journalist – not just an ethical guideline, but also a model for where my career fits into my life. And, for me, balance is a constant motion, not a static state.
I am a broadcast news producer with more than a decade of experience producing newscasts in all day parts. I’ve worked them all – morning, mid-day, evening, late evening. They all come with their individual stresses and benefits. And I found my personal recipe for success is working harder at balancing those pros and cons, rather than focusing all on one or the other.
I’m a native Texan, born in Lubbock and raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. I graduated from Brazoswood High School in Lake Jackson, Texas and received a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
While a student, I worked at the campus television station and worked two broadcast internships. One allowed me to help a community affairs program geared toward the Dallas-area Latino community, and, as an added bonus, work on speaking Spanish. The second was a combination reporting/producing internship at an Austin station. The mentors who guided me through college and those two internships helped craft my career and gave me the tools I needed to take the big leap into professional life.
Now, one of my favorite roles in my newsroom is that of internship coordinator. I enjoy helping students find their own paths, knowing what works for me may not work for you.
That’s why I love the idea of Breaking into Broadcasting. I am excited to see the ideas shared here and new ways we can inspire each other!
Haley Cihock