Viktoria Capek Spotlight

2018 Communication (B.A.) Graduate

What Are You Doing Now?

I am a reporter/anchor at KQDS at FOX 21.

How did you get your job?

I got my job through research and patience. After graduating, I searched for reporter positions all around the country and sent them my reel, resume and cover letter. Fox 21 was the first station that I liked who also liked me. I found them through LinkedIn.

On a typical day in your position, what do you do?

On a typical day, I come into work 30 minutes early to research, answer emails and do anything I have to in order to prepare for the day. We start with a pitch meeting where we go through our stories for the day. Once I know what stories I’m assigned, I pack up my gear and head to the various locations (usually three or so). I interview people, film b-roll footage and do research on the things I’ll need to know for my stories. Then I come back to the station, log my interviews and begin writing. After I write everything, I begin editing all the footage together to make a finished product. At the end of the day, after our show airs, I write and post my stories on our website and different social media accounts.

What special advice would you give someone entering your field of work?

The advice I swear by is in two parts:

1. Be an initiator. This applies to finding a job and being in a job. Do not wait for someone to point you in the direction you have to go. Go out there and find it for yourself.
2. Take every opportunity that comes your way, at least when you’re starting out. Be that moving to a remote location with a small news market just to gain experience, or be that shooting a sporting event even though you don’t really have interest in sports. You will learn from those opportunities in ways that will help you achieve your long-term goal more efficiently.

If you were in the position to hire new graduates, what would you look for in them?

For this job, eagerness and dedication to your career, time management, and the ability to take care of and respect the equipment that you are using on a daily basis.

Was there anything specific that you learned while attending UNG that has been especially beneficial in your career?

Taking care of equipment was something major that I learned at UNG. It’s absolutely critical in a job like this since you are extremely active with your gear, and without it, you can’t do your job.