UW graduate Charla Bear talks to journalism students about evolving media
May 10, 2010
UW News Lab
If anyone knows about changing careers, it’s Charla Bear. A June 2000 UW graduate and Native American journalist, Bear decided to venture toward writing once she realized her degree in architecture wasn’t the right fit for her.
Bear received her master’s degree in journalism at the University of California, Berkeley before plunging headfirst into what would become an impressive set of achievements. Freelancing for numerous publications around the Bay Area, it didn’t take long before National Public Radio had an opening she couldn’t turn down.
As a production assistant for NPR’s Morning Edition, Bear worked hard throughout the overnight shift mixing reporter interviews while at the same time thinking up ideas to pitch for show hosts. After working as an assistant for only a year, Bear was promoted to assistant producer at the program’s Weekend Edition Sunday.
Bear learned not only how to be an expert in the field, but also how to use a variety of multimedia equipment.
While visiting journalism classes May 3-7 at the University of Washington, she explained that during her career she was often asked questions like, “Can you take pictures?” Bear stressed that students should be prepared to get behind the camera and become accustomed to it since companies are looking for multiskilled journalists today more than ever.
“There’s more hiring on the web side than the radio side,” she said, adding that content management programs can be frustrating when posting items online. Sometimes, photos can only be posted on either the left-hand column or right-hand column of the screen and can seem out of place.
“When you are thinking about layout, think about how you can be creative with all these restrictions.”
Throughout Bear’s visit at UW, she offered advice to many juniors and seniors curious about the industry. She encouraged students to get experience through internships or other volunteer positions are much as possible. For Bear, it was a talking book and braile program downtown that allowed her to practice speaking in front of an audience as she read aloud to the blind from news stories.
From architecture to journalism, the hard work has paid off. In 2008, Bear was awarded the Unity Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDN) for a two-part story about American Indian Boarding Schools. Her story not only touched audiences from all over the world, but it also touched Bear personally. She is part Tanana Athabascan Native American.
As parting advice, Bear encouraged students to write what they are passionate about. Not only does it make the entire experience more enjoyable, it creates a unique opportunity to learn something as well.
Lauren Lynch is a student in the Department of Communication.
