I PERFORM LIVE REPORTS FOR THE ABC-AFFILIATED STATION IN PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA. I work primarily for the top-rated, two-hour weekday morning show, and for the market's only noon newscast. My duties also include writing stories for any of my station's newscasts.

EDUCATION | MASTER'S DEGREE IN BROADCAST JOURNALISM FROM BOSTON UNIVERSITY. BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN JOURNALISM FROM UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA - TWIN CITIES.

HOW TO GET STARTED | Enroll in journalism courses because you must know how to write properly, broaden your vocabulary and knowledge base(exceptional journalism involves creative language and effective words). And the more you read---or the more you seek--- the more story ideas you will discover and uncover!

MUST HAVE TRAITS | DETERMINATION, ATTENTION TO DETAIL, TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS, PERSONALITY, CREATIVITY, THICK-SKINNED, COMPETITIVENESS, AMBITION

how I got started | I sent more than 75 demo tapes to television stations nationwide before I landed my first on-air reporting job. I scoured job listings online everyday and made cold calls to any news directors who would talk to me. It was only until I moved back to my second home of Minneapolis, Minnesota, that I was able to get in touch with a news director at a station located two hours away. She did not have an immediate position available, but she said she would keep my demo tape and resume "on file." Two months later, she called me about a vacant position. I drove the next day to interview with her and a few weeks later, I landed the job!

why this job?| I remember watching "DATELINE." One of the stories that aired truly moved me. I told myself that I would like to tell inspiring, interesting stories, too. Then, I realized that I didn't know any Asian-American male reporters. And why not? My research uncovered that Asian-American male reporters were extremely rare in newsrooms across the country. I decided this alarming statistic needed to change.

why I love this job!| THE ADRENALINE I FEEL WHEN I ARRIVE AT THE SCENE OF "BREAKING NEWS"! I LOVE PURSUING A DIFFERENT STORY EVERYDAY, AND I LOVE THE "LOCAL CELEBRITY" STATUS!

my typical day| I wake up around 3:00 a.m. so that I am at the station by 4:00 a.m. After my producer tells me what my story will be for that day,I quickly write a script. My photographer and I must be out the door by 4:30 so that we can be ready for the 5:00 show. I apply my makeup and fix my hair while we are driving to our destination. I do a live report at least five times for the morning show: 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 6:30 AND 6:50. After the morning show, we take our one hour lunch break and prepare for our next assignment, the 12:00 p.m. newscast. When the noon newscast arrives, I deliver two additional live reports. My day is done between 1:00 - 1:30 p.m. but before I leave for the day, I must write a short script about my assignment for the evening shows.

what they are | Be prepared to be poor for the first few years of your career! Television stations know there are a countless number of people who want to be on T.V. Stations take advantage of the desperate crop of newbies by paying them sub-standard wages.

all about growth | There isn't a high demand for reporters -- especially during these tough economic times when stations are enforcing hiring freezes and/or laying off workers. It's a very competitive industry. If you can get your "foot in the door," you're set! Only the talented --- and most assertive --- reporters survive in this stressful, demanding work environment. In this industry, you work your way up the market ladder. You start at small markets, and eventually, land bigger ones if you have the tenacity and skill to survive. Also, make the most of your talents and skills within each of your stations; your news director may reward you for your hard work by offering you a more prominent position (i.e., anchor).

my website|