News Anchor Career Path Chat with Vanessa Echols
In today's episode, we talk to Vanessa Echols who spent 40 years as an award winning television news anchor and reporter. Unlike many, Vanessa knew early on that she was heading in this direction because of her love for reading the newspaper and watching the news at a young age. Vanessa has recently retired and become a published author! And guess what...one lucky listener will get a copy of her new book, We're In Heaven and I Have Some Questions. You have to listen to the entire episode to learn how!
HIGHLIGHTS
- Her Education Journey: Vanessa stayed curious and enjoyed reading and writing. She took on many roles in high school that gave her exposure to skills needed in this career - she wrote for the school newspaper, she was a yearbook editor, and she did the morning announcements. As a Communications major at the University of Alabama, she worked at the campus television station thereby further building her resume with skills and experience. She knew her knowledge needed to be vast so she enrolled in multiple courses beyond her creative writing and communications curriculum.
- Her Support System: Her parents were very supportive of all of her ideas and believed she could do anything she put her mind to.
- Television Media Obstacles/Challenges: In the early 80s, she was the only black woman on the staff on air in her market. There was no access to mentors back then, either.
- Mentorship/Networking: Don't be afraid to reach out to those you see in your area who you'd like to connect with. The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is also a great resource that provides the opportunity to find a mentor.
- Her Cancer Battle: She will always be an advocate because the increased risk of dying from breast cancer as a Black woman. It presented an opportunity for her to show others just how deeply rooted her faith was.
VANESSA'S MAJOR KEYS
- BE PREPARED - watch the newscast, read the newspaper, and news magazines
- BE PERSISTENT - you might not get the first job you apply for
- DON'T BE AFRAID TO FAIL - it can be scary, but do it scared
CONNECT WITH VANESSA
Website - https://www.vanessaecholswriter.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/TheVEchols
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vanessaechols/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VanessaEcholsWriter/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-echols-3136209/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@vanessaecholswriter
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Website https://www.thekeystotheofficepodcast.com/
Want to be a guest on the show? https://www.thekeystotheofficepodcast.com/guests/intake/
CONTACT
For all business inquiries, please email: thekeystotheoffice@gmail.com
Phone Number: (804) 766-5768
VANESSA ECHOLS
AUTHOR
In my previous career life, I spent 40 years as an award winning television news anchor and reporter, working in Jackson, TN; Macon, GA; Chattanooga, Nashville and Orlando. In those roles, I've covered major local and national stories and interviewed everyone from celebrities, to politicians, to a prince. (Prince Harry, in case you're wondering) But I found the most compelling stories were those of people who weren't famous, but circumstances forced them to do some extraordinary things in their families and their communities.
I have loved books as long as I can remember and writing has been a passion of mine for just as long.
So here we are, with my first published book, that's book/journal/daily devotional with a healthy dose of Biblical humor. (Yes that does exist)
Hope you enjoy WE'RE IN HEAVEN, AND I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.
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