Tell Me...How Did You Get Into Television?

By Debbie Mitchell

We are midway through the summer and the school year is quickly approaching. For some kids as they  prepare to go back to school, they are  still trying to figure out exactly what career path they want to pursue in the television industry.  I am hoping this summer series has helped shed some light on the career opportunities that exist in television.

In this morning's installment of our summer series How Did You Get Into Television?, where TV professionals  tell us about their entry into the television industry and give advice on how to survive, we' meet Senior Producer Charity Elder.

What’s your job title today and what are your job responsibilities?

I am a Senior Producer for Yahoo! News. I oversee up to nine  (or more at any given time) original video programs and content in the news category of Yahoo! Studios. I also manage the delivery and content of Yahoo! News/ABC News programs produced for the unique digital alliance between the two media giants. A key part of my responsibilities include developing new show ideas, concepts and special live events.

How did you get into television?

I didn’t know it then, but my love affair with production began when I was 13-years-old. Billie Anthony, my gifted and talented teacher at Fox Middle School in Hartford Connecticut, selected a few students to participate in the National History Day Competition. We entered the video category and for the first time I was exposed to shooting, writing a script and editing… it was simply amazing and ultimately altered the course of my professional life.  While in college, I interned at Hartford’s Public Access Station where I developed the skills of linear editing and how to cover local civic events. In graduate school, I had an internship at NBC’s Today Show and that cemented my decision to pursue a career as a television news producer.

What has been your favorite television job to date and why?

For many years, I was a morning show booker. First at NBC’s Today Show (where I learned the craft) and at CBS’ now-cancelled The Early Show (where I honed the craft).  When you’re losing, being a booker can be infuriating, but when you’re winning, it is really, really exciting and a lot of fun.

If you could go back and say anything to your self at the start of your television career, what would it be?

I would tell myself to fiercely hold onto my passion for news and to stay curious about everything. Passion and curiosity are an anecdote to apathy.

What is your biggest regret in your television career?

Nearly 10 years ago I turned down a job offer to work at The Oprah Winfrey Show. I’ve wondered a few times what path my career would have taken if I had made a different decision.

 What’s your secret to having a happy career in television?

Maintaining a healthy attitude. At the core-regardless of change (and there will be a LOT in this business)- you have to believe in who you are and your ability to do it.

What one ritual or practice keeps you grounded in the competitive television field?

Prayer. It is the single most important thing that has kept me focused.

What’s the most important lesson you would tell anyone pursuing television?

Make sure you have a good reason for wanting to be in this industry. It is a lot of hard work, long hours, and the pay is not great. But if you have a good reason, all the work and stress won’t compare to the fact that you’re doing what you love.

Which person taught you the most in your career?

I’ve had a few mentors over the years, Bill Felling at CBS News being one of them, but long time CBS anchor, and now correspondent for NBC News, Harry Smith taught me invaluable lessons. We covered a wide-range of stories together, from Hurricane Katrina to interviews with celebrities like Will Smith and George Clooney. Harry taught me many things, including, how to write, the importance of covering a story on the ground and to never be so lazy as to rely solely on wire copy.

What are your top three tips for television survival?

Be Better: It is important to work hard, but you need to go a step further and be better than your personal best. If you push yourself, you will always shine.

Volunteer: Don’t wait for anyone to assign you a story. Speak up and volunteer for the assignments that you want.

Cultivate Relationships: We all know the old saying-'it’s not what you know, but who you know.' Foster genuine relationships with your peers and especially those above you-the decision makers.

What are you most proud of in your television career?

Overall, I am proud to be an eyewitness to history and to cover some of the most important stories of our time.

If you weren’t working in television, what other job would you have pursued?

Most likely a History Professor at a University or College.

When you think about a career after working in television, what does it look like?

I have some thoughts, but it is still very much a work in progress.

  

In her free time Charity says - I loves to read-especially books by sociologists, historians and psychologists. I am currently reading the Art of Choosing by Columbia University Professor Sheena Iyengar.  I also enjoy going to the movies, cooking, seeing Broadway plays and hanging out with family and friends.

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TV/Social Media Producer Debbie Mitchell is an Emmy nominated producer who is a member of the Producers Guild of America (PGA)  and  is currently a member of the James Beard Broadcast and New Media Awards Committee.  If you are a brand interested in blogger outreach campaigns, a blogger or personality interested in television placement follow Debbie Mitchell @TVProducerDeb or contact TheBloggerConnection.com.

More Ready4Air: (Summer Series)

Tell Me...How Did You Get Into Television?  (Cameraman)

Tell Me...How Did You Get Into Television? (Video Editor)

Tell Me...How Did You Get Into Television? (Broadcast Writer)

Tell Me...How Did You Get Into Television? (Freelance Producer)

Tell Me...How Did You Get Into Television? (Executive Producer)

Tell Me...How Did You Get Into Television? (National and International Producer)