Your Name (optional): Jennifer Randall
Male/female: Female
City: Toronto
State/Province: Ontario
Country: Canada
Industry: Broadcast Journalism
Job: Production Coordinator
Company (Optional): Fashion Television
Education:
I completed the 4-year broadcast journalism program at Ryerson Polytechnic University. This taught me about television equipment and I also learned how to write stories that would inform and entertain people.
Training/experience required (years, other jobs):
I interned at Fashion Television before I was hired on. In this industry, hands-on experience is essential. Since a formal education isn’t necessary to get into television, it’s important to have the basic skills and knowledge. My position is an entry-level job and I was hired right after graduation.
Explain what you do:
I coordinate the elements behind the scenes. I make sure everyone has done their jobs on time, book trips, arrange for us to attend the fashion shows, prepare research, act as a liaison with our viewers, take care of ordering supplies, and basically anything else that may need taking care of.
What kinds of things do you like about your career?
A career in TV is very exciting and rewarding. You’re always working on new stories and new ideas. While Fashion Television doesn’t deal with serious news, it’s entertaining and I like the fact that our show makes people happy. We foster dreams and fantasies and I like being a part of that.
Why should kids choose your career path?
People should choose a career that they enjoy. It should be something that entertains you and that makes you excited to go to work each day. But doing a job you love also means working hard and being dedicated.
Lessons learned:If you started all over again what would you do differently?
When I enrolled at Ryerson, I thought I wanted to write for magazines, so I enrolled in the journalism program. After my first class in TV, I was hooked and decided to specialize in broadcasting. But I wish I had taken Ryerson’s Radio & Television Arts program, to get an even more in-depth education in the television equipment & style. The journalism program is more suited to those who want to be news reporters, than for anyone who wants to work being the scenes or on magazine-style programs.
A favorite anecdote, phrase, or expression relating to business that inspires you:
Love what you do and it will never feel like work.
Other suggestions or relevant information you would communicate to kids regarding careers in general:
I receive many questions from teenagers who want to become models. My best advice is to only do what feels comfortable to you. Shop around for an agency and don’t start shelling out money until you do some research. You don’t need modeling or make-up courses to be a model, but if you have the money, it may be helpful in your career. Try to speak to a model to see what it will be like.