An internship during my junior year at Iowa got my foot in the door for a full-time job. I started producing at WHO-TV in Des Moines five days after I walked across the stage at graduation.

The journalism department’s intense focus on writing prepared me for each position I’ve held since graduation. My first job as a TV news producer demanded that I be able to provide people with the news of the day, accurately and concisely. At the same time, I had to write stories for the viewer that were engaging, interesting, and often entertaining. Strong writing skills were absolutely critical.

At my present job, I’m often called upon to put those same skills into practice when we’re trying to explain complex solutions or processes to clients who aren’t familiar with our business. Additionally, in making the transition from TV news to corporate development, I found myself grateful for the training I received in interpersonal and corporate communication from the UI communications department.

Knowing how to effectively interact with co-workers and clients has gotten me off to a successful start.