I tend to use the phrase, "it's only the beginning" quite often. Initially, I used it when talking about my career path. However, now I realize you can apply the saying to many situations.
Let's focus on the career and where my story all began...
It was the summer of my senior year of high school and I was in need of a mentor in the field I was interested in. In my mind, I had to decide between wedding planning and broadcasting, particularly with an on-air personality.
My wedding planning idea quickly came to a halt when the teacher for the class told us that was not an acceptable topic.
Whether it was fate, serendipity or destiny, it looked like I was about to seek a mentor to help me for my important class for my senior year.
Little did I know what was in store for me....
My mom had a contact through her work for a local TV Station, KENS 5, and reached out to the senior producer of their morning lifestyle show, "Great Day SA". Their senior producer, Kinya, set up a date with me to go watch the show live which was a dream come true.
(Side note: I had been watching the show on/off for YEARS. I used to stay with my grandma during the summer and one day she asked me to come watch a local morning show with her because she thought I looked like Christina Aguilera. Yes, I know what you're thinking, Christina Aguilera? YES! I was thinking the same thing, but I sat next to her anyway. Turns out she was talking about Kristina Guerrero, the host of "Great Day SA" at the time. I've always gotten in trouble for talking too much and talking too fast so I thought that was the PERFECT job for me!)
Back to the story.....
I got to the TV station and was overwhelmed. I was immediately introduced to their executive producer, Cassandra Lazenby who gave me a tour. During the show I sat with her in the control room-- she was pressing different buttons, she was giving orders, so much was going on and I was AMAZED!!!
Maybe I didn't want to learn how to be on-air, maybe I wanted to learn how to produce. I was so confused--I had to make a decision and make it fast.
Just when I thought I couldn't be any more amazed, I was....Cassandra appeared on air. She then explained to me she primarily produced but did a few on-air things here and there. That was what I wanted to do produce but with some opportunities to be on air.
There was something about Cassandra, something special. She had this fierce passion for her job and such a key role in that show, yet she took time out of her day to teach me. Who does that?
I was so scared that people in the industry would be stuffy and rude, but not her. There was this warmth about her and it was a start of connection that lasted way longer than I would've anticipated.(it's not a bad thing)
After my year-long mentorship program with Cassandra was over, I stuck around that station and that office like a flea! I'm not joking--I'm sure that staff was tired of me randomly popping up in their workplace!
I always sat in Cassandra's office soaking up all the advice she had to offer like a sponge.
I kept waiting for internships for the show to become available, but no dice. Every time I went to visit, I would talk to the interns to learn their duties. I kept thinking to myself that if I knew that job like the back of my hand, that there was no way they couldn't hire me when an internship became available! No, that isn't being cocky...it's called DRIVE, it's called PASSION!
FINALLY after months, and months, and months, and months (I think you get the picture) one became available. I applied, I interviewed and (drum roll, please....) I got the internship position.
For five months I worked off my booty like I never had before! Whether it was showing up before my call time, running a quick errand, picking up dog poo, I was there and ready for anything thrown at me.
That was one of the best experiences of my life. I was so new to everything and knew there was so much to learn and I wanted to learn EVERYTHING. I will never forget their amazing staff and crew who taught me so so much.
Sadly, the internship came to an end.
I continued to stick around like a flea. There came a point where I was knee deep in school assignments and my job at Sea World, that I lost contact with Cassandra for a little bit.
Let's fast forward to the point in the story where Cassandra informed me she was moving FOX San Antonio for an on-air/ executive producer role. I was beyond thrilled for her--it was her DREAM job!
he also informed me there was a new position for an associate producer. She told me she would be very disappointed in me if I didn't apply.
At this point, I had known Cassandra for three years and ALWAYS trusted her judgement but I started to think she was cray cray....look at it from my point of view for a second: I was nineteen, I was still in college, and I only had one internship under my belt!
Despite my concerns, I applied because I couldn't let her down and there was NO WAY she was going to see me as a disappointment. I had enough respect for her that I was willing to face rejection.
Long story short, I applied, I interviewed and interviewed again and (drum roll, please....) I got the associate producer position!!!
I currently spend my time producing FOX San Antonio's "Daytime at Nine" every weekday morning at 9am. There is nothing else I'd rather be doing than producing that show.
I do get on-air opportunities here and there, mainly with a segment, "Pin It", where I do anything from baking, cooking, arts and crafts. etc. If you can find it on Pinterest, I can attempt it! It may not be perfect, but I'm not one to strive for perfection. An art is an art and it should come from the heart. (no, I didn't try to make that rhyme...just a bad coincidence)
Anywho....
I am living my dream but it doesn't stop here for me.
It's only the beginning...
