Joy Burgin
Journalist and News Anchor
Do you have any projects you’re currently working?
In the fast moving world of tv news, every day is a new project and adventure. As a morning traffic anchor, I get the honor of connecting with our viewers personally and give them a head start on their day. As a producer, I have the responsibility of building and discerning the best content that will best serve and inform our community. Both of these responsibilities I greatly enjoy and take very seriously.
What does this project mean to you?
As part of the morning team, I’m honored to be part of our viewers’ morning routine - and to me, that’s a role that means a lot. How someone starts their day can have a big impact on the rest of the day, and I have the opportunity to start things off on a positive note. We all know the news isn’t always a happy affair, but it’s my job to help make sure viewers start off on the right foot by giving them a heads up on their commute, and by doing it with a smile and a good morning. Sometimes it feels like there’s no one on the other side of that camera, but every once in a while you get that message from a viewer telling you what a difference you make in their life - and in that moment all that hard work is worth it. No matter your profession, we all have the opportunity to put something positive and worthwhile out into the world. That is what being a journalist means to me, and TV is just a medium to do it through.
What made you go into broadcast journalism?
I got my start in broadcast journalism by taking the TV Practicum class at UIW, where I instantly fell in love with the profession. I was charmed both by the challenge of producing fast quality content, and the importance of serving my community. I’ve always loved public speaking, video editing, and asking questions. Professor Theresa Coronado was an inspiration for me as well. Not only did she teach me everything I know, but she encouraged all of her students to recognize the value of their work and the mission of journalism.
Do you have any advice you’d like to share with UIW’s current undergrad students that are interested in that field?
My advice to anyone interested in this field is to start now! I was able to build a portfolio long before I graduated, and UIW is full of opportunities to do the same. My work with UIWtv brought me statewide recognition that helped my portfolio stand out against other graduates. It’s easy to focus on the grades and simply getting your degree, but at the end of the day, employers will never ask you for a school transcript - instead, they want to know what skills you gathered during your time in school. So join the extracurriculars, get as many internships as you can, and don’t wait til after graduation to start changing the world.
My other piece of advice: love what you do, and remind yourself daily why you do it. We were built for a purpose, and living your life purposefully will bring fulfillment and rejuvenation to the sometimes mundane tasks of life. Don’t let the everyday grind cloud the importance of and love for what you do.
What are some challenges that you have faced in your career?
Managing an unusual and ever-changing schedule is one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced! My normal routine has me coming in to work at 4am, but when duty calls, I’m there, which means I’m often working multiple different schedules in the same week! Being able to adapt quickly and keep up with harsh deadlines that are different every day is a skill that didn’t come naturally, but I’ve worked hard to build.
