Master’s Alumni Profile: Gabriel Veiga G’22
Newhouse Master’s Program: Goldring Arts Journalism and Communications
Current Position: Writer/Producer at CBC News Network
How did you land your current position?
I reached out to an executive producer on LinkedIn, and he replied right away and said he could do a Zoom meeting with me the next day. Then I interviewed with my current boss, he gave me a writing test… and then he said he could hire me as a writer. So, I started as a senior for CBC News Network and now I am a writer and producer.
Before this, I was a news producer at WROC-TV in Rochester, New York.
What is an average day like for you on the job?
As a breaking news producer – you’re assigned a breaking news story, and you work with a reporter to get it on the air. You write intros and outros for anchors to read, write questions the reporters want the host to ask them, and you create graphics and supers.
It’s very hands-on. While you’re already doing all the technical stuff and getting a live hit ready, you also have to monitor social media, newswires and emails because if something happens or some other developments come, you must be on top of it. It’s a job that is fast paced and that has a lot of pressure attached to it. But I love working with reporters, it’s my favorite thing to do at CBC so it’s a great job for me. The whole job is a very collaborative process between you and the reporter.
How do you feel Newhouse prepared you for your current position?
The best thing about Newhouse is that it gives you hands-on experience/field experience, so you don’t go into a job blindly. When you are at Newhouse, you know exactly what the life of a journalist is. At Newhouse you learn quickly that you must be proactive and get out of your comfort zone to get the best interviews/stories/voices/facts. So, Newhouse prepared me in the best ways.
I just think I didn’t really know a lot about what a producer does while I was studying at school and looking back, I would have liked to learn more about it. When you’re at Newhouse there is a lot of emphasis on on-air jobs but not a lot of emphasis on behind-the-scenes work. And I think it’s very important for people to learn about producing. The best reporters I have ever worked with had producing experience.
Did Newhouse open your eyes to new professions or aspects of your field you may have not considered when applying?
Yes, I was in the Goldring arts journalism and communications program and then I took a broadcast class, Mornings on the Hill, and that changed my whole future. During that class, I learned about on-air reporting, producing, and how to write on-air scripts (VOs, SOTVOs, PKGs) — all things that are essential to my job now.
I think it’s a very important class to take no matter what you want to do. There are so many jobs in broadcast television – more than in print or in other types of journalism – and people should be aware of that. Students should also be aware that news directors are desperate for producers (whether you have experience or not).
What are the moments of your career so far that have been the most important?
Working for national news in Canada has been incredibly fulfilling and exciting. CBC treats its employees very well. I am very grateful to be working there. I was in local news before this, and I was not excited about the news we were covering. I am excited about the things we cover at CBC and how we cover them. CBC has a very good reputation and excellent standards. It’s a good place to work if you want to be a journalist. It values great storytelling and quality.
What unique features encouraged you to apply to your graduate program?
We travelled a lot. That’s number one. We went to NYC twice and spent three weeks in Charleston, South Carolina. I also really love entertainment and wanted to write about film and TV and the program gave me that opportunity. I could interview actors and filmmakers and write stories on them. The program is also amazing when it comes to networking: you meet a lot of people that work at places you would want to work at (e.g. The New York Times, People Magazine, Indiewire, Variety, Slate). We also watched a lot of shows, movies and ate great food all the time.
There were only 10 of us in the program as well, so it was a small group of very smart people with similar interests (all interested in the arts), and we quickly felt like a family.
Did you take advantage of the Newhouse Career Development Center?
Yes, they helped me build my resume and cover letters. They’re very good at that and I still use what they taught me to this day when I apply for jobs.
What are some of the obstacles and misconceptions that students should be aware of when it comes to your field?
I think students should be aware that being a journalist is very stressful at times and it can be very mentally exhausting. The stories you’re on are not always what you want to write about or what you want to cover. You rarely get something you want to cover (at least in the beginning). The pay most companies offer is not impressive. Do a lot of research into the companies before you sign any contract. Prioritize your mental health always. Again, it’s a very stressful job and things will feel overwhelming at times. Learn to pace yourself.
What advice do you have for current or incoming students?
Just take every opportunity Newhouse offers (networking opportunities, career fairs, interview opportunities, etc.) Like I said, Newhouse gives you hands-on experience and that will be incredibly valuable in your careers – so take advantage of that and learn all you can from the experiences you get. Being a journalist at Newhouse resembles real life and the school will prepare you for your future jobs.
Take different types of classes – don’t just stick to arts journalism or broadcast journalism, or on-air focused classes… do it all. Get all the skills you can get.
Do internships, connect with people on LinkedIn while you’re still in school. Network as much as you can during your time at Newhouse. Get out of your comfort zone and force yourself to network. Thank me later.