On October 23, 2o24, Amanda Pearce, Associate Director of Employer Engagement & Internships, and I traveled to KCCI in Des Moines to attend their Inaugural Connect event. Hearst Television’s early career recruiter Jen Harriger invited faculty and staff from 24 Iowa colleges and universities to learn more about opportunities at the station.
Hearst Television is a national multimedia company with operations serving nearly three dozen U.S. cities, reaching 24 million U.S. television households. It delivers local and national news, weather, information, sports and entertainment programming via every available content-delivery platform. KCCI in Des Moines is Grinnell’s local Hearst station.
Representatives from departments across the station introduced themselves, their professional and educational backgrounds, and potential openings for recent graduates. First up, the Sales department outlined the expectations for Sales Account Associates, Digital Client Specialists, and Sales Assistants – best fit for students studying economics. The Engineering department introduced Media Operations, Master Control, and the Marty Faubell Fellowship – great fits for those with engineering, mass communication, or IT knowledge.
As the Associate Director of the Arts, Media & Communications Career Community, I was grateful to hear from the Creative Services, Production, and News departments.
Creative Services hires for Promotional Producer and Commercial Producer roles. The department has won regional Emmys for Best Promotion three years in a row. What is Creative Services Director Nathan White looking for in a new hire? Knowledge of:
- Premiere Pro
- AfterEffects
- Photoshop
- DSLR cameras
- Cinematic Camera (preferred)
- Some marketing
- News writing
But most importantly, Nathan is looking for “people who know how to express ideas,” to ensure that KCCI is “where Iowans turn when their lives are on the line” (in the case of extreme weather or other consequential breaking news).
What would set two equally qualified candidates apart? First and foremost, demonstrated curiosity and initiative. Nathan is looking for people who proactively fill gaps in their skillset, ask thoughtful questions, and are always eager to listen. How do you demonstrate those attributes? A succinct portfolio of your highlights that demonstrates a breadth of interests, skills, and visual creativity is a must. Being able to talk about how you taught yourself AfterEffects techniques beyond what you learned in class doesn’t hurt.
News Operations Manager Amy Schmelzer has worked at KCCI-TV since 1997, so she knows a thing or two about what makes someone a successful Producer. Early careers in her department include Newscast Director and Robotic Camera Operators. Newscast Directors often have a background in technical directing, experience with Ignite, and knowledge of studio television equipment. Robotic Camera Operators benefit from a desire to “build things and take them apart.”
Amy’s perspective on what really matters in a candidate goes beyond technical skills and software knowledge – “Can you show up on time, work well with your coworkers, process and respond to feedback?” and perhaps most importantly – “Can you handle failure? If you can’t make a mistake and keep going, you’re not going to get very far.” She outlines the stakes of on-air television further; “You’re likely to make a mistake in the first five minutes, and you have to keep it together, because you have 25 minutes to go.”
Finally, News Director Allison Smith provided notes on Producer and Digital Editor roles. Put simply, the News Producer is “in charge of everything happening on the newscast in those thirty minutes.” People in both roles should be able to:
- Write compelling stories and order copy
- Be clear and concise
- Meet tight deadlines
- Identify reliable sources of information
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills
Photographer/Editors and Multimedia Journalist/Reporters on Allison’s team should:
- Record video and audio
- Write questions for interview subjects
- Edit for TV and Social Media
- Follow news and current events
- Demonstrate effective communication skills with both coworkers and the public
Through internships, fellowships, and other early-career opportunities, Hearst Television and KCCI-8 are providing eager learners with opportunities to kickstart their careers in television. If any of these roles sound like a good fit for you, schedule an appointment with me to talk further about your application.
In the meantime, remember – a career is built on not just what you know, but how you show up. Be curious, foster a growth mindset, and always remember to say thank you.
Schedule an appointment with Destini Ross, Associate Director of the Arts, Media & Communications Career Community on Handshake.
Learn more:
About early career programs: Start your career – Hearst Television
Search openings at Hearst: Search Jobs – Hearst Careers
Attend and in-person informational event: KCCI-TV is inviting opening their doors to students! On Thursday, November 21st, the station will be offering two sessions for students to get hands-on learning in different areas of the business, network with industry experts, and apply for open positions. Sessions run from 10:00 am- 12:00 pm or 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. PLEASE RSVP HERE.
