What Type of Person Thrives in the Journalism Industry, According to a Journalist at ABC 10News
Ava, a journalist at ABC 10News KGTV, notes a surprising trend: many successful on-camera journalists were "theater kids," possessing a natural performance ability crucial for the role, which combines strong writing skills with a confident on-camera presence; a blend of "good writing" and a compelling on-screen personality is key for advancement to higher levels in the industry.
Communication, Confidence, Writing Skills, On-Camera Personality, Performance
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Ava Kershner
Journalist
ABC 10News KGTV
Cal Poly, Cuesta College, Hancock College, Cal State Northridge
N/A
Creative Writing, Journalism
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Communication and Marketing
Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Many successful on-camera journalists were involved in theater growing up, showcasing the performance aspect of the job.
2. Strong writing skills are essential for success in journalism, as is the ability to confidently deliver information on camera.
3. A combination of excellent writing skills and a strong on-camera presence is key to thriving in the industry and advancing to higher levels like network news.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in this industry?
That's a great question. A lot of people who are successful on camera actually grew up being theater kids. It's quite funny how many people in the broadcast industry come from theater backgrounds, having always wanted to be on stage.
I was even a theater major at Cal State Northridge before I returned home to San Luis Obispo and began pursuing journalism, as I genuinely loved writing. But at its core, it's a performance.
Some of the best journalists I know and work with came from newspaper writing backgrounds because strong writing is essential to succeed in this industry. They realized they loved writing, but being on camera was challenging. This is why many theater kids find a natural fit in broadcast.
You're on TV five days a week, essentially writing your own scripts, which is quite similar to an acting job. To truly thrive in this role, excellent writing skills are a must.
However, good writing alone isn't enough to get on air; you also need a confident on-camera personality. These two aspects go hand in hand. Some individuals are excellent on camera but need to improve their writing, while others are strong writers but become shy when the camera is on them.
I feel like that combination is what truly makes people successful, even at the network level. It's when you possess good writing skills and a strong on-camera personality to deliver that writing effectively.
Advizer Personal Links
Instagram @avakershner, facebook @Ava Kershner TV, Tiktok @avaontheair, Linked In @avakershner