I remember the first time I heard the term "news gypsy." A reporter used it to describe the last ten years of her life since she had been in the news business because she'd lived in five different cities in just one decade (all job related moves). I laughed and realized that really was the best way to describe the moving habits of anyone in television news.
While most people plan their lives around holidays and career moves around getting promoted at their company, TV people plan EVERYTHING around sweeps and contracts. "Sweeps" (Nielsen ratings) periods run in February, May, July, and November. If you're in TV, you would never plan a wedding or the birth of a child during any of those months because you'll never get any time off as long as you're in sweeps.
It doesn't bother news people at all - ratings are important and we know that's just part of the job. Whether you're a reporter, producer, anchor, or news director; you will have to sign a contract to stay at the station for a period of time. These generally run anywhere from one to three years which happens to be the exact time line our lives run on. As a reporter, you have no "five or ten year from now" thoughts: everything is in one to three year increments.
Most people who want to work in news fresh out of college have to move clear across the country to get their first gig. I was really fortunate to get my first job at KBTV in Beaumont, Texas, since it's just an hour away from home (DeQuincy). It just so happened I got my next job right here at KPLC, which is also close to home. It was a great thing as a reporter because I already knew people here and knew my way around town. It was a great thing for my parents because they could watch my stories everyday (and they did!).
Now it's time for me to take the next step in my career, but this time I'm venturing out of the viewing area. I'll be going to WICS in Springfield, Illinois, next month.
It's going to be a big change, but it's an amazing opportunity that I'm very excited about. I've never lived anywhere there are actually four seasons, much less snow!
Just to show you how much news people move around: our Internet Director Meagan Kelleher will be going to a station in Kansas City, Missouri, in a few weeks and Photographer Renee Lavine will be joining a station in Tuscon, Arizona, next month.
When you're trying to climb the ladder, you can't sit still long in this business. I'm just glad I got to spend time in my homeland, waking people up every morning on the show I used to wake up to.
Well Libby, ratings and contracts don't control all aspects of a tv reporter's life. I've had some pretty understanding bosses here at KPLC. I did manage to give birth May 21st, 1992 and I didn't even get a reprimand! Some of the best things in life aren't planned! Best wishes on your new job.
Posted by: Theresa | July 18, 2006 at 06:50 PM
I've been meaning to talk to you about that, Theresa. ; )
Libby...wishing you all the best up in Springfield. Thanks for all you've done while at KPLC, and have a great time at WICS.
You'll be trading in po-boys for pork tenderloin sandwiches. So call us and maybe we'll send some shrimp, crawfish and oysters up your way.
In the meantime, go catch a Cardinals game for Theresa and me!
rgds/jim
Posted by: Jim Serra | July 18, 2006 at 11:42 PM
You Go, girl! But, not to burst your bubble, all four seasons that far north are Not what they are cracked-up (pun intended!) to be.
Take my advice (one who had responsibilty for the accounting to Corporate) for four stations in all four reagions of the country! Leaving Dallas, wearing summer clothing in 87 deagree temperatures, and flying into a blizzard in Minnapolis is TOUGH.
My advice is to take winter driving lessons from a pro. Be prepared to go to work in miserable conditions. In the trunk of your car, carry kitty litter, (for ice), a small shovel, jumper cables, de-icer and a scraper, a blanket, a pillow, a bag of indestructible snacks, a gallon of water, etc. and that's in the FALL of the year. Oh yes, practice falling and landing softly, because you will, and on camera!
And be prepared to stand out in the snow and ice, reporting on the wrecks, gridlock, and the non-flow of traffic! How you get to these "events", and handle them on site, will show your new bosses your creativity, courage and sheer guts!
The good things are the leaves changing in fall, the kindness of strangers and co-workers; real baseball and NFL FOOTBALL with a Louisiana descended young man at quarterback, and new experiences too numerous to mention, a lot of them great!
Take some language courses and speaking classes. Them folks don't always understand whut we're sayung, and vice versa.
Good luck and happy landings, and don't fall for any of their Yankee initiation jokes on newbies! Be sure to ask Jim about THAT before you leave.
Keep your chin up, but don't be afraid to call your KPLC home, if you feel like a strnger in a strange land. They've all BEEN THERE, DONE THAT!
Bon venture, Vaya Con Dios, darlin'
Posted by: Marylee | July 19, 2006 at 05:33 AM
Libby, you brightened our day when you started your regular appearances on Sunrise. Even though I'm kinda out of the loop after leaving KPLC, I'll still miss you. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Producer Joe Rawley | July 25, 2006 at 11:09 PM
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