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jvcroix@gmail.com
832-794-0926
210-838-8565
I am a reporter/MMJ at KENS5 in San Antonio.
Previously, I was an anchor, producer, and MMJ (and assignment desk, editor, web producer…the list goes on…) for KAGS in Bryan/College Station, Texas.
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KENS5/ Tegna
Before I tell you about my goals, I want to tell you a little bit about me and my career journey.
For years (I can’t even remember how many) I was a high school teacher and spent 2 years as a high school counselor. Every day my job was to tell stories—to find a way to engage a room full of teenagers, and I loved it. Then, as a counselor, I began working with the journalism classes, on my own time, to create videos for the school announcements. I got the PTA to buy me a handy-cam so I could tell stories about students, about colleges, you name it.
That’s when I realized that I had to follow my dream of working in TVnews. Most people said I was crazy; my husband said I was too old.
But remember, I worked in a high school for years. I know how to leave my self-esteem at home.
So at 40 years old, I took at leap of faith and maxed out my savings to enroll in college journalism classes. I was teaching kids during the week and teaching myself how to MMJ on the weekends.
Then, I quit my job, and got an internship.
And….a little over 2 yrs later, I’m living my dream.
But it wasn’t easy, I was first hired to anchor and produce, but realized that wasn’t my passion.
But, I had no idea had to use a professional camera when I started. So, I would shoot things on the weekends or hours before my day was supposed to actually begin. I even volunteered to shoot football games for our sports department. (Find me a news anchor that anchors the 6pm, goes to shoot a football game, and comes back to anchor the 10pm and I’ll give you $5)
I got better, but not good enough.
I’ve asked for feedback from some of the greatest MMJs and photogs in the business, but I’m still not good enough.
Now that I work for a mid-market station, I’m struggling- big time.
I need help with my shooting, with my storytelling, with my editing– pretty much everything.
I don’t have as long in this business as some of my peers. But damn it if I’m going to give up now.
When people ask me why I do this, why I put so much passion behind my work—I say I do it for “them.”
Because the “them” are the people whose stories I am telling.
They are why I want to attend this conference.