10 Things I learned from working in a TV newsroom

MissAttitude

Freelance Writer, Blogger, Web Producer and Adjunct Professor

I'm a professional woman in my 30s who's spent the last 13 years working in TV news. I love shoes, shopping and blogging. I also have an advice column. In the name of full disclosure I have to admit I don’t have a background in psychology, unless you count that one college course freshman year ...

Thursday, May, 1, 2008

1. You’re replaceable. Don’t ever forget they can find someone else to do your job for less or do away with your position altogether.

2. Don’t gossip. News people are born gossips, so your secret is never safe with anyone.

3. Only argue when you know you’re right. Others lose confidence in you when you’re wrong.

4. Know how to handle a crisis. Hurricanes, Amber Alerts, etc. will teach you quickly if you don’t already know how.

5. Learn how to manage your boss. Anticipate his or her needs, communicate—don’t whine, ask for more responsibilities and beat deadlines.

6. Complement your coworkers. Most of them are working as hard as you are. Plus, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

7. Always be prepared to work 12+ hours without a break. You never know when there’s going to be breaking news or a coworker is going to call out sick.)

8. Be flexible. Again, with the breaking news. You never know when you’ll have to switch to a new story or put together a newscast in 30 minutes.

9. Clichés are evil. We’re all lucky to be alive, I’ve never breathed a sigh of relief and what isn’t a parent’s worst nightmare?

10. Never make a promise you can’t keep. The story must fulfill the promise of the tease. If not, your viewers lose trust in you. The same applies to life outside the newsroom.

Stylishly yours,
Miss Attitude