Broadcast Journalist Jenniffer Weigel has been a Chicago institution for more than a decade. She began her career as a traffic reporter, moved into sports, and now hosts and produces a show called Taste, which takes a look at the food and wine scene in the city. The show, which runs on NBC in both Chicago and New York, incorporates audience questions with the teachings of real chefs.
Jenniffer talks to Jean about how she became successful in the broadcasting world:
Jenniffer says she realized that if you want something to happen, you have to make it happen.
She learned that there's a difference between paying the bills and living your life. Jenniffer left a lucrative contract position because she didn't feel it was allowing her to cover the stories she wanted to report.
She planned ahead. When Jenniffer left her job, she had a year's worth of savings to support her in her decision.
Jenniffer says she put herself in front of the right people by making and distributing pilots that she believed in, and networking with her peers.
She says she learned to ask questions of people who were doing what she wanted to be doing. They were able to tell her what worked for them, and what didn't. "It's a great way to know where to start," Jenniffer says.
Printed from Oprah.com on Wednesday, June 19, 2013
