This week, we wrapped our fifth and final show of the semester for WVU News, and my 10th time producing a newscast at WVU. This not only brought an end to my semester of News, but also finalized an entire school year of producing for WVU media classes. The only word that comes to mind is bittersweet.
It’s been a long year with more hours spent staring at Word documents than I would like to admit, but I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t miss everything I got to do as a producer through this program.
When I started Mountaineer Playbook last fall, I had no idea what I wanted to do post-graduation or what I would even do for the class that semester. I applied for the producer position on a whim, just hoping that it would at least make me seem like a “go-getter” for wanting to fill such an important role.
To my surprise, I was named the producer and went on to have one of the most enjoyable semesters I’ve ever had at this university. I quickly fell in love with the job and knew it was something I wanted to pursue in the future. Once our fall semester ended, I was asked if I would be interested in taking over WVU News this spring and reprising my role as producer. I knew what this could do for my odds at getting a job, and without much else to do, I jumped at the opportunity.
I am eternally thankful I made that decision to take this class. Not only did I grow a lot as a producer and experience many things I hadn’t before, but I also met a whole new group of amazing and talented people I wouldn’t have known otherwise.
I still remember our first class meeting and looking around at everyone talking to each other and worrying I would be the odd man out since I didn’t know any of them. Now, I can confidently say that I will carry my time with my classmates through WVU News throughout the rest of my life.
Now that graduation is coming up, I am happy to say I will continue to do what I love in the real world after accepting a news producer job at WTOV in Steubenville, Ohio. While I’m excited to get to work and start again with a whole new group of professionals, I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t miss News.
I’ll never get to joke with Brayden and James in the control room again, or hang out in Martin Hall while waiting for anchor rehearsals to start, or have another Thursday evening producer meeting with Ava and Professors Marra and Dahlia.
I’m doing my best to “not cry because it’s over and smile because it happened,” but I know I will forever reminisce about the times I had in my final semester at WVU. I don’t know what kind of person I would be right now if I hadn’t taken this class, and no experience in life will ever be able to replace what I had here.
Thank you to my classmates for making me feel at home, and thank you to my professors for helping me when I needed it most. I will miss you, WVU News.