Alumni Spotlight

  • Robin Baumgarten JOUR, WGN-TV

    Apr 27, 2016 4:15 pm by ennes2@illinois.edu

    Images

    1. Name (First and Last)


    Robin Baumgarten



    1. Twitter


    @wgnrobin



    1. LinkedIn



    Employment Info




    1. Employer


    WGN-TV



    1. Title/Occupation


    Morning News Anchor



    Academic Info




    1. Graduation Year (list as "Month Year")


    June 1990



    1. Major


    Broadcast Journalism



    1. Minor and/or Certificates



    Other Stuff




    1. Hometown


    Burbank, Illinois



    • Hobbies


    Watching and driving to my daughters' cheerleading and tumbling activities; binge-watching Netflix.



    Career Information & Advice


    • What are your job responsibilities/duties?


    I anchor the news from 6-10am daily. It's a show that requires more than just reading the news. There's lots of guests, fun segments, and ad-libbing. And there's social media updating and posting during the show to promote what's on air. It's like a radio show on T.V.



    • What does a typical day look like?


    I get up at 3am, arrive at work at 4:30. I look over the news feeds and scripts, get makeup, try to tame my hair, and I'm on the set at 6. After the show, there's a meeting about the next day's guests and other plans. Off time is spent monitoring news and updating social media.



    • What do you most enjoy about your job?


    In a business where most people change stations every few years, I've been lucky enough to work at the same station with the same co-anchors for almost 20 years. I trust them, respect them, and they still make it fun to go to work every day!



    • What is the most difficult aspect of the job?


    Reading and reporting on horrific tragedies to children and innocent victims of gun violence in Chicago is heartbreaking. It's difficult to keep those feelings in check and switch gears to lighthearted stories and segments within the same show.



    • What on-campus activities were you involved with? Where did you gain relevant experience?


    I worked at The Daily Illini briefly, then spent most of my time at WPGU campus radio as a DJ, news reader, and talk show host. I learned from some great people there how to write news for broadcast and how to think on my feet on the air.



    • How did your experience at ILLINOIS and in the College of Media prepare you for your professional life? For this specific position?


    I had some great teachers that did not go easy on us. They made us learn how to be great writers and storytellers first, and TV personalities second. Small class sizes in College of Media made it almost a one-on-one learning experience in an otherwise big school.



    • What advice do you have for students interested in this field?


    Learn how to write! Know how to produce and edit your own stories and use social media effectively. Good looks may get you your first job, but good work will keep you there!



    • 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 have grown to appreciate how important it is to be yourself. Know your strengths, and showcase them. I eventually learned you don't get ahead by trying to be someone you're not. Viewers know authenticity. Who you are always comes through. Embrace it!



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