Got my first job as a TV reporter

FIU students benefit from the powerful combination of classroom theory and practical training. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts (CARTA), where hands-on experiences build career-ready professionals like Christina Harris ’24, a recent graduate the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media.

Harris earned a degree in digital journalism and a minor in English. Among the opportunities she took advantage of during her time at FIU: the Caplin News network, which gives students the chance to work in two bureaus – one in Miami and one in Washington, D.C. – produce stories for a daily news program streamed online most weekdays and write for an arts and culture publication. Much of the content is produced as part of course assignments, and students get a taste of what their professional futures might hold.

Meet Harris and learn about her exciting new job and how FIU got here there. 

Where do you work? 
I am a multimedia journalist at WKRG News 5 in Mobile, Alabama. We cover news in Mobile County, Baldwin County and Northwest Florida. I cover news for broadcast as well as sharing online.

Any fears going in? 
I had never been to Alabama, and I was nervous. Prior to coming to WKRG News 5, I had experience with internships and Caplin News. I knew how to be a journalist but doing it full-time is a different ball game. Navigating adulthood can be scary, but having my friends and family in my corner plus a supportive team at WKRG News 5 has been something I am so grateful for and one of the main reasons why I am in such a great place. I am only a month into the job, but I feel that I am starting to get into a groove. 

What’s been the coolest thing about your job so far?  
After a long day of putting your story together, it’s really cool to come home and watch it live and see your face on TV. That will never get old. And it has gratifying to help the community when I can. There was a man who had been scammed out a large amount of money. I brought awareness to the story, and he sent me a long message saying how appreciative he was that I shared it. This is honestly why I do it.

Walk us through a day.
By 9 a.m., I am making calls to see what’s happening that day so I have something to pitch at our 9:30 editorial meeting. Our newsroom leaders will then tell us which story they want each of us to handle. From there, I usually head to interviews and do my on-camera standups, write my script and send it to our assignment editor for him to review. Once I get my script back, I record my track and I put my package together. I’m also responsible for creating the digital version of my story for our the website.

What advice do you have for students interest in journalism careers? 
Experience is everything. Try to get internships and try to get involved with the news outlet at your specific institution. FIU has Caplin News, which I was a part of and taught me so much. I wish I had gotten involved even sooner. It’s important that when you’re applying for your first job, you have some sort of experience because that will not only help you get into the door, but it will help you to thrive on the job. 

How does your job connect back to your coursework and time with Caplin News?  
Every single thing that I learned at Caplin News and at FIU, I use to this day. I learned what it takes to do the job. When I was creating packages for Caplin News, I got experience in writing, shooting, editing and reporting. Because of that, I was able to get an internship with NBC6 South Florida. Caplin also gave me the opportunity to put together a package while I studied abroad in Spain. And through the school, I was also able to meet many other people with similar aspirations and mentors that helped me with the job search process. My professors were amazing, and I’m so grateful to have had them be a part of my journey.