Victoria Moll-Ramirez, β09, says her bachelorβs degree in radio-television from ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ has meant everything to her in her career. Her best memories at ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ include hours spent in the Nicholson School of Communicationβs Knightly Newsroom.
βEvery meltdown, every slice of pizza and every soda I had in that newsroom is so fondly remembered,β she says. βThe countless times we all looked at each other and asked, βWhy are we doing this?!β Totally worth it.β
Although it was challenging at the time, she thanks her experience in the RTV broadcast journalism track for her success.
Shortly after she graduated, Moll-Ramirez started working as an assignment editor at WKMG-Local 6 News Orlando, where she had previously interned. She left WKMG in 2011 after being the first ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ alumna chosen for the NBC News Associate Program in New York City. Out of more than 1,500 applicants she was one of seven chosen for the prestigious program.
In 2012, NBC News promoted her to bureau coordinator of its Miami office. At NBC, she helped generate content for all of their platforms, including NBCNews.com, βThe Today Show,β βNBC Nightly News,β MSNBC and NBCLatino.com.
After an incredible three years at NBC News, she moved on to become a cross-platform associate producer at CNN, which is based out of Atlanta.
Moll-Ramirez answered some questions about her time at ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½, the difficulties and rewards of being in the news industry, and shared advice for students and alumni.
Q&A in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1β¦
Q. Why did you choose to attend ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½?
A. Itβs going to sound a little silly, but the reason I chose ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ is because it was the university that sent me the most promotional mail. One day I just thought to myself, βWell, if these people want me so bad, let me check this out.β
Q. How has your ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ degree helped you in your career?
A. My ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ degree has been essential in my career. All of my jobs have required a degree in journalism. Over time, Iβve also realized how great the RTV broadcast journalism program was. Iβve had colleagues who went to Columbia, Northwestern, USC, Berkeley, you name it. Not once have I ever felt like I fell behind.
Q. Favorite thing about your job?
A. No two days are ever the same β coming into work every day and not knowing whatβs going to happen. Not realizing the moment you walk in through those doors, you may be a few moments away from informing the world about a certain historical event, good or bad, is invaluable.
Q. Most memorable experience on the job?
A. Iβd have to say it was the 10th anniversary of September 11th. I was working for NBC at the time in New York City and got to be a part of the team that covered it. When the names of the fallen were being called and I looked at my colleagues, many of whom covered the actual attacks, with tears down their cheeks, it was so real. Seeing the fountains from high up and knowing thatβs where so many lives were lost β the hurt was palpable.
Q. What piece of advice would you give to current ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ students, as well as fellow Knights?
A. To current students, ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ is becoming a bigger and bigger name. Donβt underestimate it. A degree is what you make of it. Not having a degree is a lot tougher than having one. Be proud, always. Oh, and INTERN! INTERN, INTERN, INTERN! Itβs more important than most of your classes!
For alumni, letβs be friends! I love ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ for all the doors it opened for me. A strong alumni association makes a huge difference.
Now, for some fun questions. Moll-Ramirez shared some personal info to help us get to know her better:
Q. Do you have any special/hidden talents?
A. When in top cardio shape, Iβm pretty great at jumping rope. Bizarre, I know. But I actually became obsessed with it while at ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½. They used to have a half-hour class at the recreation center and I started taking it. The rest is history.
Q. What do you do for fun?
A. I love trivia nights and playing kickball. Yes, kickball β donβt judge. I also listen to Pitbull and Romeo Santos (a Spanish language singer) way too much. Also, the regular stuff like hanging out with friends, traveling and watching the news.
Q. Whatβs the most generous or thoughtful gift youβve ever received?
A. The most thoughtful gift I ever received was really more like a gesture. On my last day at NBC News, my colleagues threw a huge surprise party for me. My desk was decorated β with pictures of Sanjay Gupta and Wolf Blitzer included β there were balloons, they made posters with pictures of all of my favorite things, they ordered food, I got flowers and even a crown! It was like my QuinceaΓ±era all over again! I didnβt expect it and it was above and beyond anything I couldβve ever imagined.
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