The competition to land these reporting jobs is tough, with many young motivated individuals eager for opportunities to cover world events today. Many of these individuals have a bachelor’s degree in journalism or communications to equip them for their future careers.
Hired as a beat reporter responsible for covering city hall and local government, Keating went on to serve on as an anchor for a CBS affiliated channel in Scranton, Pa. These opportunities led her to her favorite and most memorable experience in her career as a reporter.
“One of my biggest stories was being able to cover the 1979 Iranian Hostage Crisis. For 444 days, Michael Mentrinko was held captive by Iranians. I spent time interviewing his family and different sources from his hometown during the time he was held captive” said Keating.
After months spent talking to his family and acquaintances, Keating developed a close relationship with these people. She remembers being in a news car when word broke that Mentrinko was released. Immediately she began calling his family and the military base that Mentrinko was being kept at in N.Y.
“When [the family] got word that their son was released, I was the first person to interview Mentrinko because of this relationship I had established with his family. I am still close with him today, he lives in Harrisburg Pa. I created a long-term friendship with him.”
CBS News went on to use her story in a segment with Walter Cronkite in 1981, when Mentrinko and the hostages were released.
After her time in the reporting industry, Keating worked for Governor Bob Casey in Pa. working in public relations focusing on economic development and tourism rates in Pennsylvania for four years. After her time here, she realized she wanted to move to New York City and begin a new chapter of her life.
Upon her move to the city, Keating worked for Hill and Knowlton. To land this position, she cold called the chairman of the company and he gave her an interview. In this role she worked in corporate communications and did media training and hiring for clients.
“I love my job because it is the reason I am able to stand up in front of an audience and present to people” said Keating.
When asked about what skills she felt were the most important for a young professional looking to enter both the communication field and news reporting field, she said that the ability to read and write well as well as having curiosity are the most important qualifications to have.
“Take a chance and start a job even though it is not something you were hoping for, like being a teleprompter, but you have to be willing to do anything and work your way up. Never expect to start at the highest level and be willing to work your way up” said Keating.
As Keating stated, there is always an ability to work up towards a higher position in this industry. In order to do so, persistence, stamina, and intrapersonal skills are key attributes for reporters to have.
On an average day, Keating said that there never is an ‘average day.’ It is a constantly changing role, and that expectations for the day can change in any given moment. Whether it be a car accident or shooting, news reporting is unpredictable.
Keating said, “the job is 24/7, I would be called at all hours of the day or night, and the days can be long.”
Most reporters can expect to work full time and unpredictable hours. When a story hits, reporters are expected to be ready to cover it, day or night.
Keating worked in the television broadcasting segment, which has a steady income for those in the 50th percentile and greater, averaging $43,490 per year. Starting positions in this position do not typically pay very high, but there is a lot of potential to work upwards.
Internships are an important experience for aspiring reporters to have on their resume. It often takes time to earn promotions at news stations, and this is ultimately done through gaining experience and strengthening key skills to be a successful reporter.
However, the future of news reporters is expected to decline by 10% by 2028. Attributed to the decline in revenue from advertising efforts which ultimately impacts the employment numbers for different types news outlets, television broadcasting included.
Keating has recently created her own Public Relations firm where she can be in business for herself. The company works to help writers throughout the book publishing process.
“There is not anyone out there for helping authors understand the journey out there to get a book to customers.”
Keating has had a successful history in the broadcast industry and is looking forward to working for herself in a field that she is equally passionate about.
The MFJS Reporter -- Winter 2020 M-W 