Alumnus says VCU’s diversity gave him the tools to succeed
By Anthony Langley (B.S.’16/MC)
Those in the Hampton Roads, Virginia, area may recognize Brian Hill (B.S.’12/MC) from his work as a multimedia journalist on local CBS affiliate, WTKR News 3. The VCU Richard T. Robertson School for Media and Culture alumnus takes over the VCU Alumni Instagram account this Monday, bringing us along with him as he reports on the stories that matter to the community around him.
Why did you choose to attend VCU?
I grew up in a small town in Sussex County, Virginia, and wanted to experience a bigger area. Richmond was scary to navigate at first, but I grew to love it! VCU has a great journalism program and resources that helped me advance after college. It’s also a melting pot with a lot of diversity, which opened my eyes to new people and experiences.
What are some of your favorite memories from your time as a student?
I really enjoyed my broadcasting classes. Taking part in VCU InSight was stressful, but very informative and helped me get ready for the real world. Getting to be around such a diverse group of people was definitely a highlight as well. I met so many people from different backgrounds, which I believe helped me in my field as I meet a wide array of people from all walks of life every day.
What got you interested in journalism?
I’ve always had an interest in various aspects of radio, film and television. I found journalism was a great way to tell stories, meet eclectic people daily and help to keep people informed about what’s going on in their community and why it’s important for them to know what’s happening around them.
How has VCU tied into your career path?
I think the university played a key role in my career path. VCU InSight was my first time ever in front of a camera or reading a teleprompter, and I was horrible! The diversity at VCU helped me be able to fit into any group; that’s a vital skill to have working in television because you deal with everyone from politicians to families in mourning to everyday people.
What’s been your favorite or the most memorable story you’ve worked on?
You know, I’m asked this question often. I think one of my favorites to write and shoot was about Norfolk’s very own superhero, Black Widow. We usually cover stories that are very serious like fires and homicides, so I enjoyed working on this because it was a lighthearted, fun story that allowed me to be more creative. It also made it on WorldStarHipHop!
Categories Alumni