Episode 19 -- Stefanie Cruz

From the time she was 5 years old, Stefanie Cruz knew she wanted to become a television news reporter and that's exactly what she became. Upon graduating from San Diego State University, she mailed 300 VHS cassette tapes with her demo reel around the country, ultimately cold calling a TV station in Yuma, Ariz. and getting her start. Stefanie ascended to News Anchor for the Fox affiliate in Sacramento, but after two decades in the industry, she decided it was time for something new. She's now a consultant for law enforcement, advising them on press conferences, messaging, social media and more.This week, Stefanie gives advice on the first thing she seeks in the field, reading from a teleprompter, building your brand, the children's book she wrote that was inspired by a lost whale in the Sacramento River,  how "owning a story" can be life changing, and the importance of not being locked into an idea about how your career will go."Where Ya At?" is a podcast focused on the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University. Each week, during the Fall and Spring semesters, host Josh Suchon (Class of 1996) interviews alumni to learn about their experiences as college students, entering the workforce, key steps in their professional development, advice they'd give to current students, and details about how they covered a specific story.