UTA PRIDE

Criminal Justice to Journalism to Broadcast Major

My first semester at UTA had just began, of course I was so carefree about the world and all that mattered at the moment was the fact of attending a University for the first time. I was a declared Criminal Justice major, with the idea that I would one day become a lawyer. After the first two weeks, attending class became a normal routine, with not so much excitement anymore, because of all the workload given.

I sat in my Political science class listening to Dr. Jose Gutierrez, who not only teaches but is also a lawyer. I must not give him all the credit to my life changing idea, but he did have a lot of impact in what lead me to discover my passion for journalism and broadcasting. Two career paths in which I found a love for presenting news in front of a camera. “Major in something you love, in something that will make your four years here at UTA fly by, law school accepts a variety of Bachelor degree’s, not just criminal justice,” Mr. Gutierrez’s exact words. Words that had me sitting in an advisors office the next semester, trying to figure out what major I really belonged in.

The advisors at the University College of UTA are there tohelp incoming freshman and sophomores with their schedules and to help thosestudents, who like me; become confused about what career path they would liketo take. Anna, my advisor whose last name I do not remember; is a young, sweet lady who I had already had a chance to meet, as a teacher in a freshman seminar class I had to take my first semester. Her comforting and friendly personality made it easy for me to make an evaluation of myself and realize that I love to write. Journalism seemed to be the perfect fit. Journalism it was then, a sense of relief and comfort made everything seem so clear and not so confusing anymore.

The last semester of sophomore year began and I was already beginning to take my first journalism classes. Through writing feature news stories, dealing with AP style, and writing leads I noticed an even greater way of presenting news to an audience. I attended an event at UTA where I had the opportunity to explore different broadcast fields. A tour of Telemundo and NBC was also included in the event. In that moment I saw myself, in the future as a reporter or anchor. As I sat in the anchor chair in NBC’s studio I knew print media was not my only interest.

Anchor Chair in NBC Studios

My senior year and I am now working with a group of UTA students to create weekly newscasts for UTANEWS. Where we explore and experience the skills it takes to work in the broadcast news media.

How many majors did you have to go through to find the perfect fit?

What is your story?