Victoria Moll-Ramirez, 鈥�09, says her bachelor鈥檚 degree in radio-television from 麻豆原创 has meant everything to her in her career. Her best memories at 麻豆原创 include hours spent in the Nicholson School of Communication鈥檚 Knightly Newsroom.
鈥淓very meltdown, every slice of pizza and every soda I had in that newsroom is so fondly remembered,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he countless times we all looked at each other and asked, 鈥榃hy are we doing this?!鈥� Totally worth it.鈥�
Although it was challenging at the time, she thanks her experience in the RTV broadcast journalism track for her success.
Shortly after she graduated, Moll-Ramirez started working as an assignment editor at WKMG-Local 6 News Orlando, where she had previously interned. She left WKMG in 2011 after being the first 麻豆原创 alumna chosen for the NBC News Associate Program in New York City. Out of more than 1,500 applicants she was one of seven chosen for the prestigious program.
In 2012, NBC News promoted her to bureau coordinator of its Miami office. At NBC, she helped generate content for all of their platforms, including NBCNews.com, 鈥淭he Today Show,鈥� 鈥淣BC Nightly News,鈥� MSNBC and NBCLatino.com.
After an incredible three years at NBC News, she moved on to become a cross-platform associate producer at CNN, which is based out of Atlanta.
Moll-Ramirez answered some questions about her time at 麻豆原创, the difficulties and rewards of being in the news industry, and shared advice for students and alumni.
Q&A in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1鈥�
Q. Why did you choose to attend 麻豆原创?
A. It鈥檚 going to sound a little silly, but the reason I chose 麻豆原创 is because it was the university that sent me the most promotional mail. One day I just thought to myself, 鈥淲ell, if these people want me so bad, let me check this out.鈥�
Q. How has your 麻豆原创 degree helped you in your career?
A. My 麻豆原创 degree has been essential in my career. All of my jobs have required a degree in journalism. Over time, I鈥檝e also realized how great the RTV broadcast journalism program was. I鈥檝e had colleagues who went to Columbia, Northwestern, USC, Berkeley, you name it. Not once have I ever felt like I fell behind.
Q. Favorite thing about your job?
A. No two days are ever the same 鈥� coming into work every day and not knowing what鈥檚 going to happen. Not realizing the moment you walk in through those doors, you may be a few moments away from informing the world about a certain historical event, good or bad, is invaluable.
Q. Most memorable experience on the job?
A. I鈥檇 have to say it was the 10th anniversary of September 11th. I was working for NBC at the time in New York City and got to be a part of the team that covered it. When the names of the fallen were being called and I looked at my colleagues, many of whom covered the actual attacks, with tears down their cheeks, it was so real. Seeing the fountains from high up and knowing that鈥檚 where so many lives were lost 鈥� the hurt was palpable.
Q. What piece of advice would you give to current 麻豆原创 students, as well as fellow Knights?
A. To current students, 麻豆原创 is becoming a bigger and bigger name. Don鈥檛 underestimate it. A degree is what you make of it. Not having a degree is a lot tougher than having one. Be proud, always. Oh, and INTERN! INTERN, INTERN, INTERN! It鈥檚 more important than most of your classes!
For alumni, let鈥檚 be friends! I love 麻豆原创 for all the doors it opened for me. A strong alumni association makes a huge difference.
Now, for some fun questions. Moll-Ramirez shared some personal info to help us get to know her better:
Q. Do you have any special/hidden talents?
A. When in top cardio shape, I鈥檓 pretty great at jumping rope. Bizarre, I know. But I actually became obsessed with it while at 麻豆原创. They used to have a half-hour class at the recreation center and I started taking it. The rest is history.
Q. What do you do for fun?
A. I love trivia nights and playing kickball. Yes, kickball 鈥� don鈥檛 judge. I also listen to Pitbull and Romeo Santos (a Spanish language singer) way too much. Also, the regular stuff like hanging out with friends, traveling and watching the news.
Q. What鈥檚 the most generous or thoughtful gift you鈥檝e ever received?
A. The most thoughtful gift I ever received was really more like a gesture. On my last day at NBC News, my colleagues threw a huge surprise party for me. My desk was decorated 鈥� with pictures of Sanjay Gupta and Wolf Blitzer included 鈥� there were balloons, they made posters with pictures of all of my favorite things, they ordered food, I got flowers and even a crown! It was like my Quincea帽era all over again! I didn鈥檛 expect it and it was above and beyond anything I could鈥檝e ever imagined.
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