Broadcast journalism graduate hopes to take on Big Apple
Erica Wiedemeier is graduating with a degree from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University with an emphasis on broadcast journalism. ASU News went behind the scenes to learn more about a day (or so) in the life of Wiedemeier.
“I knew I wanted to go to the Cronkite School and ASU. It was just a matter of convincing my parents. During a visit to Cronkite, they saw that the program was better than every other school that I’d applied to and that it was such a great opportunity that I had to take it.”
“I was awarded an ASU Provost’s Scholarship, and have had several others from the Cronkite School that have helped me along the way. I’ve also taken 18 to 21 credits each semester, maintaining a 3.9 GPA, and pushed myself hard to manage time better.”
"The best thing about ASU is that it lets you be creative. It facilitates innovators by providing them resources. You just have to know what you want to do. “
“In college, I found out that I am a lot more outgoing than I thought I was. I realized that I have to make things happen for myself because no one was going to hand them to me. I had to work for opportunities and ask for them.”
“In addition to producing videos for the Clinton Global Initiative University, sports and other events for ASU Video Production, I’ve interned for Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, and Showtime in New York City. I’ve filmed interviews with Katy Perry, Selena Gomez and Robin Thicke, met Brad Pitt, and presented my work to the CEO of Showtime. I remember standing on the red carpet for the premiere of World War Z in the middle of Times Square and thinking how lucky I am.”
“Ideally, I would like to work in media in New York City in a field where I can interview people because I love to hear about people’s lives and stories.”
“I just want to be happy. I realized early enough that the reason that I work so hard and want to be successful is to be able to pick a job where I love to go to work and can be successful.”
“Leaving ASU is the weirdest feeling in the world because I’ve loved my time here and will miss all the friendships. I am excited to be joining the real world soon, but I’ll visit often.”