Tim Saunders

 

            Tim Saunders is a Radford University graduate who pursued his Master’s degree in Syracuse, New York at one of the top journalism schools.  He has worked at a few different television stations after graduation.  He worked at a television station in Harrisonburg, Virginia as a reporter.  Saunders commented a few times about the rate of pay as a television journalist and anyone entering this field should expect to only be paid around $20,000 starting off.  His advice was to ask your employer if you are going to be paid hourly or by salary because journalist often will work over time and not be paid for it.  Other advice he gave our class was to talk to your employer about the contract they may have you sign because you may have to sign a two year contract to a television station and not be able to take other job offers.  He also talked to us about how journalist will be on call even when they aren’t at the station you could be called out of bed at three in the morning to go and report on a fire.  Saunders also talked to us about proper adequate when you’re going to conduct interviews.  If he person has had a tragedy and is reluctant to give you the interview you should respect their space and treat them as a person.  Saunders also told us about when you are working at a television station you won’t only be covering news in your immediate community.  You will be expected to travel even two hours away to report on a story. 

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