Media pros tell is like it is about careers

Megan Rivers, left, and Kris Bennett talk with mass communications students at Claflin. (Panther photo)

Media professional Megan Rivers accompanied by Kris Bennett spoke with Claflin University students about news, reporting and post-graduation tips for success in media.

Claflin alumnus and current reporter at ABC News 4 in Charleston, Rivers informed college students of her work as a reporter and the certain skills they would need if they are interested in media. Rivers shared stories with the group of her internship opportunities and experience that helped her once she graduated.

“The importance of building relationships, especially when you’re in college and an intern, is that one day it may land you a job,” Rivers said.

She stressed the matter of writing to the students. Without quick and cohesive writing skills, they would surely not make it in the media business, she said.

“If you want to be a reporter, if you want to be an anchor, if you cannot write, you are worthless in the news world.”

“If you want to work on the production side, you need to understand the importance of writing,” Rivers said. “You need to be able to write quickly, and conversationally. I have to tell a whole story in less than one minute and three seconds tops.”

Rivers also said that previous endeavors, including social media, in college students’ lives could make a huge impact on future job opportunities.

“Nothing you do is private,” River said. “You can have as many private pages as you want to, nothing is private. If you put it out there, it’s fair game.”

Rivers was accompanied by her friend and South Carolina State University graduate Kris Bennett, also known as Kris Kaylan from Z93 Jams in Columbia. The women appeared together to inform students that as a reporter, “you must be ready at all times.” One must be flexible as a reporter and be ready for anything thrown their way.

“I went to work ready for TV every day. Every day, Megan Rivers beat down, hair was laid every week, and I would dress for TV,” Rivers said.

“The events are not on our time, we must be on their time.”

When questioned about fake news in the business, Rivers told the students it is not the concern of the reporter whether people believe the news. It is the anchor’s job to annouce the news, not investigate.

“You need to watch the news. You should really be aware of what’s going on in your market,” Rivers said. “If you choose not to believe the news, that’s fine, but arguing with people about if something is a reliable source or not is not worth it. They go out there and find it themselves.”