Jasmine Huda, Recognized By Her Peers and More; Part II

Yesterday, we introduced you to Jasmine Huda, KMOV News anchor and reporter. She talked extensively about her secondary training at Ladue High. Today, she gets into winning awards; her plans for now and the future.

Patch: If a student wants to get involved in communications where should they start?

JH: Get involved in as many things as they can. Some people would disagree with me, but I don’t think you have to strictly be a journalist. If I took a survey of our news room, no more than 30 percent would hold a journalism degree. I majored in political science in college, and if I had it ll to do over again, I would have double majored in history.

History gives you a framework and history of what has gone on and understand why things are happening.

Students should do internships and the right ones.There are some where you are grabbing coffee and meeting lots of important people but at the end of the day, what do you have to show for it?

I interned at the NPR affiliate in Ann Arbor and they let me write stories, 20 and 30 second readers for the air. My first time, I think it took me five hours to write 20 seconds of copy. I learned you have to go on the fly and roll with the punches. That hands on experience is so important.

Let’s switch subjects:

Patch: Is TV work a normal routine or are you constantly on the go?

JH: There’s a lot of go,go, go. On slow news days, I’m kind of out of my element. TV news is always fast, but now with the internet and mobile ap’s and smart phones, it’s even faster now.

Patch: Do you get to stay on a story long enough to get to really know the people you interview?

JH: There’s sometimes when I do. For instance, I have a lot of good friends in the police department. In Springfield, I became so entrenched in city hall. I’m still good friends with the city attorney and we talk ever so often. I was friends with a lot of their council members.

Patch: You’ve won numerous awards for writing and presenting the news. How important is that?

JH: Very important, especially when you are a home town girl. It’s wonderful to receive recognition, whether its Alive or St. Louis Magazine, it means a lot to me.

I’ve worked my way up, and I’m very happy.

Patch: You get to interview heads of schools and medical centers, mayors and other public officials. How cool is that?

JH: Few people get to have that opportunity. Getting to see big events is a good opportunity too.

I emcee a lot of events. You hate to have to say no to emceeing, and I enjoy doing events.

Patch: You do a lot of work for the American Heart Association. Why so?

JH: Both my parents have heart disease. This is my way of honoring my parents. Heart disease is the number one killer for women.

Patch: So what’s next for Jasmine Huda? Hollywood, the network in New York?

JH: I’m happy here. How many people get the chance to have such a big opportunity in their own home town. Like I said, this is a team sport. In order to be successful, you have to be able to work with people. Sometimes I have surly photographers and you just have to get along with.

The newsroom is made up of a lot of egos and different opinions. You just learn through the years how to work best with people.