Kelly Roche, TV Reporter | Canada

Stephanie Block: What led you to your career?

KR: A lifelong fixation with story-telling. I'm a certified introvert/nerd who loves reading, and prefers literature over human company. Biographies rule my bookshelves. I've always been curious about other people, and love weaving their words into a story. There's always been an activist inside of me, too. Plus, I've grown up with parents who are news junkies. So journalism is my destiny.

SB: What types of media do you use in your work?

KR: As a videographer, I shoot with a SONY DSR 250 camera, then edit using Vibrint (non-linear). When I write for the web, I use a digital voice recorder, and SLR or regular digital camera ... then post stories/photos using my Wordpress site. That makes sending links to my work fairly quick and easy.

SB: How has online journalism played a role in your career?

KR: It's enabled me to self-publish. I love the instant gratification of posting work online. And being web-savvy is crucial when you're a woman in this field. It allows you to apply for jobs in any medium and shows employers you're fearless, and on par with the YouTube/Facebook/Twitter generation.

SB: Have you experienced any gender bias(es) in your career?

KR: Absolutely, and I think all women have. Television reporting is dominated by women, but newsrooms are run by the old boys' club. There's a lot of passive-aggressive bullying. You're ignored a lot. Women who are Type A's fare better, but it's tough when you're a woman with brown skin. People expect you to behave a certain way because of your ethnicity, then act surprised or taken aback when you exhibit aggression or assertiveness. This industry encourages and applauds alpha-female behavior. It comes with the territory. So you've got to play the game -- or sit on the bench and watch how it's played.

SB: How have international experiences impacted your career?

KR: I've never filed a story from abroad. But I'm East Indian ... and vacationing in India (digital camera in tow) has broadened my horizons. Across the country, I've seen people so rich, it's disgusting. And I've seen people in such dire straits, it makes living on welfare in North America look luxurious.

In this sense, diversity is really important to me. I always want to include a variety of people. I'm not one to pigeonhole ... so I look for people who don't fit the stereotype. For instance, if I'm covering a story on an after-school program for disadvantaged kids, I'd look for someone unique -- maybe a kid whose parents just lost their jobs and had to move to the ghetto from the suburbs. I also look for people with physical disabilities. They have opinions, too.

SB: What do you think are the differences in journalism between Canada and the U.S.?

KR: Canada is more committed to diversity in newsrooms and in the stories you'll see and read. The U.S. tends to categorize minorities as just Blacks and Hispanics, and forgets about all the other cultures out there. The U.S. is notorious for sensationalism ... so I think the quality of journalism is better in Canada. But the U.S. also has more resources, so reporters can cover better stories. Why do so many Canadian journalists head south? They're paid WAY better. I work in Windsor, which is a border city right across from Detroit, Michigan. I watch their ABC, NBC, and FOX newscasts. They have way more reporters than us. And since it's the eighth largest market in the U.S., their salaries are off the charts. You'd laugh if you found out what I earn, for the amount of work I do. But hey ... you don't go into journalism for the money. The story trumps the paycheck, every time.

SB: What is a typical day in your career like?

KR: As a local TV reporter in Windsor, Ontario, a typical day consists of lugging around a heavy television camera, an even heavier tripod, and a bag of gear. After setting the camera up, I shoot my own interviews and footage, then race back to the newsroom to write and edit everything to deadline. I'm not afraid of technology -- and can learn how to use anything.

SB: How did you originally get your start in journalism?

KR: I was named editor-in-chief of a small lifestyle magazine, straight out of school. But print wasn't challenging enough. So I went to grad school in Toronto to learn TV, web, and radio. And then two fantastic internships opened doors.

SB: Do you have any advice or words of wisdom you would like to share about what you learned along the way in your journey towards becoming a TV reporter?

KR: Keep your head up. TV is really tough. People rip apart your hair, clothing, face, body, voice. It can be frustrating when you work your butt off for a great story ... and the only feedback you get is about your hairstyle. That's personal. There's a reason why we drink.

SB: What is the most rewarding aspect of your career?

KR: Strangers let me into their homes and share intimate details about their lives. How cool is that?

SB: What has been the most memorable experience you've had in your career thus far?

KR: Every day, every story, is memorable  ... thanks to the adrenaline rush. There's nothing in this world quite like frantically cutting video to deadline.

SB: Any other words of advice you would give to aspiring female journalists on how to succeed in their careers?

KR: Come in every day with ideas and enthusiasm. Learn when to speak up and when to swallow your pride. Oh, and never get comfortable.

Interviewee: Kelly Roche

Kelly Roche works as a local TV reporter in Windsor, Ontario. Roche has attained an Honors B.A. in Communication Studies and a post-graduate diploma in Print & Broadcast Journalism. Roche began her career with an internship at CTV News Toronto and later worked her way up to serving as an associate producer and font coordinator/statistician during live shows of Raptors NBA TV. Roche also keeps her own blog featuring coverage of her reports, and has an extensive media background including film-making, documentary producting, ad copy-writing, and magazine editing. When not on the job, Roche donates her time to collect items for a local women's shelter and food bank.

Interviewee: Stephanie Block

Stephanie Block is a current senior at the University of Iowa originally from the Chicago suburb of Northbrook, IL. Block will graduate from the University of Iowa in May 2010 with a major in Communication Studies and a minor in Mass Communication. Since enrolling in fall 2006, Block has been involved in several student organizations at Iowa such as Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and UI Dance Marathon, in addition to working as a hostess at a local restaurant. Her interests include spending time with friends and family, meeting new people, exercise, fashion, and entertainment, including reading pop culture magazines and blogs. In the future, Block hopes to pursue a career at a public relations or marketing agency, and is looking forward to moving back to the Chicago area and exploring all that the city life has to offer. Block also hopes to travel in the future and plans to achieve her goal of travelling abroad. Block originally took Gender and Mass Media because of her interest in the journalism industry, and the media in general. As an aspiring young professional interested in media relations, she says it is important to know all different aspects of the media in order to understand different perspectives and become more informed and aware of what is going on within the industry.