Alumni Spotlight

  • Erin Burch Broadcast JOUR, CNN

    Mar 16, 2016 2:15 pm by ennes2@illinois.edu

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    1. Name (First and Last) 
Erin Burch


    2. Twitter


    3. LinkedIn

Employment Info



    4. Employer
CNN


    5. Title/Occupation
Writer

Academic Info



    6. Graduation Year (list as "Month Year")
May 2008

    7. Major
Broadcast Journalism


    8. Minor and/or Certificates
Spanish

Other Stuff



    9. Hometown
Highland Park, IL


    10. Hobbies

Career Information & Advice
Please answer each of the following questions with as much detail as possible while keeping your answers succinct (aim for 2 - 4 sentences per question).


    11. What are your job responsibilities/duties?
Writing scripts / segments for a worldwide audience through CNN International.


    12. What does a typical day look like?
I come to work about 4-5 hours before our first show. After a quick meeting I am assigned anywhere from 3-5 stories or live shots per hour for a four hour show. I research stories, and help coordinate liveshots with our reporters in the field, choosing which video to use etc.


    13. What do you most enjoy about your job?
The fast paced communication that is so crucial to making things happen on air.


    14. What is the most difficult aspect of the job?
Paying such attention to detail under duress at times. It is so crucial to be 100% accurate and that can be difficult to do in a loud, fast-paced setting.


    15. What on-campus activities were you involved with? Where did you gain relevant experience?
I did write for the Daily Illini which gave me good practice with journalistic integrity.


    16. How did your experience at ILLINOIS and in the College of Media prepare you for your professional life? For this specific position?
My classes at Illinois taught me nearly every rule I needed to know for being a good journalist. As a writer specifically it taught me what components to put in a story, how to angle it fairly etc.


    17. What advice do you have for students interested in this field?
Don't be above anything. I started at CNN essentially doing grunt work at all hours of the day, but it got me recognized. And I believe that work ethic has led me through the number of promotions I've received over the past 7 years.


    18. What is one thing that you know now that you wish you had known when you started in the field? When you graduated from the College?
I wish I had more confidence in myself. Too much can be a bad thing, but you need enough confidence to vouch for yourself.


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