May Alumni Career Profile

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Name:  Elizabeth Meagher Class Year:  2001 Major:  Communication        Current Employer:   Fox25 News

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Describe your career path since graduation.

After finishing my internship at WBZ/ Channel 4, they had asked if I would come back and freelance as an Assignment Editor. I had filled in for a few months and then I took at part-time Assignment Editor position at WPRI/ Channel 12 in Providence. I worked for about 6 months as the Weekend Assignment Editor and then in 2002 I came to Fox25 as a full-time Assignment Editor.

 

What is your current position and how long have you been with your employer? 

Assignment Editor since November of 2002.

 

Describe the main responsibilities of your position. 

I set up and organize stories for the reporters and photographers. I assign where, when and how we are going to cover stories. I also talk to many political offices, police and fire stations to set up future stories. I'm basically the hub of the newsroom, all crews (photographers and reporters) report to me and all writers, producers, management come to me for information, tapes and to find out the daily news and what's going to go into the newscast.

 

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

The best part about my job is it's always changing and you're always talking to someone new about a new topic.

 

What do you find most challenging about your job? 

 The most challenging part is working a story that never comes to light or knowing you have a great story that you can't get confirmed.

 

Describe your typical work week.  (How many hours you work, your work environment, etc.) 

You typically work 40 hours a week, you sometimes work more if you get called in or have breaking news. Our work environment is very fast paced and very in the now. It is sometimes serious and sometimes a little more relaxed, but when breaking news happens it gets very busy between phone calls coming in and going out and trying to move crews around.

 

What job search methods did you use to obtain your current position?  

 Getting into a tv position is a lot of word of mouth, people from other stations knowing that positions are going to open up. I used a few searches online, but it honestly didn't help me get into any of the stations I've worked at.

 

What advice could you give to students interested in your field? 

INTERNSHIP, INTERNSHIP, INTERNSHIP!! Get in there and get your feet wet... take as many internships as possible, in as many fields as possible that you are interested in and work your butt off! You need to make as many contacts as you can get in your field, these people will help you find jobs or know of jobs. The only way your are going to know if you like that job is to do it and internships are great ways to get in there and test the waters.

Last Modified: April 28, 2006