SCAN highlights School of Communications alumni who recently landed jobs in their field. Alfredo F. Molinar (BA, Video Production, 2006) works as a director/senior graphic artist for KDBC 4 News in El Paso, Texas.



SCAN: How did you land your job?
Alfredo F. Molinar: Once I moved to El Paso, I landed a production assistant job at the local PBS station. One of my coworkers informed me of a graphic artist position at KDBC and once I applied, I got the job. Within six months, a director job opened up and I was promoted to director.

SCAN: Any advice for those looking for a job?
AFM: Patience. It took me more time to get my foot in the door than it did to climb the ladder.

SCAN: What’s the best way to prepare for an interview?
AFM: Be prepared to discuss any experience you have had and how it has bettered you. Also, keep your portfolio or resume tape updated and review what elements you have.

SCAN: What classes taught you the most about your chosen industry?
AFM: Most of the classes I took, I still use their teachings. However, I use Photoshop everyday.

SCAN: Best on-the-job experience so far?
AFM: During the college bowl games last year, I was the director and we were doing a live broadcast. Because half the crew was out live, I was one of three people in the control room for the broadcast. I also designed the graphics we used for the show. Once the day was completed I realized how versatile I really was.

SCAN: Worst on-the-job experience so far?
AFM: During a big local election coverage day last year, I made nearly 80-100 graphics to cover all the races. Once the show started my main computer crashed and all the graphics were non-functional. After a slow restart, rephrasing, and reloading, not to mention the news director freaking out, I was able to get the graphics up and running by the end of the first segment of the broadcast.



SCAN: Company you’d kill to work for?
AFM: If I am to keep doing news, I would love to work for CBS in New York.

SCAN: Person you most admire in your field?
AFM: At my station there is a director named T.V. Cruz (yes, that’s his real name) who has been at the station for more than 15 years. In those 15 years he has gone through numerous producers and news directors. He has also been through the sale of the station at least three times. Being that our station is being sold right now, I look to him for advice of what to expect in the next coming months.

SCAN: What Web site do you visit just to kill time?
AFM: During work hours I usually read TGDaily.com, Yahoo News or Reuters Odd news. Off hours, I search YouTube, Metacafe, etc. Myspace and Facebook I look at periodically.

SCAN: Best way to fuel creativity?
AFM: Write your ideas then try them out. At my station we record a sports segment for our morning news program. Usually the shows are themed so I get to think of ways to tie in sports with things like barbershop quartets, poetry or senior citizens.

SCAN: What’s on your desk right now?
KSM: Four computers, maracas (used in the morning show), tons of papers.

SCAN: How many hours a week do you work?
AFM: Depends on the week or the goal. I average about 50 hours but have hit the 70+ range during big news weeks like elections, or big projects like maintaining the computers and redesigning all of the on-air graphics.

SCAN: Favorite fringe benefit of your job?
AFM: Meeting different people. We always have people for interviews. I have met two police chiefs, the mayor of El Paso, a former presidential candidate, etc.

SCAN: Is your current salary more or less than you expected to be making at this point?
AFM: Currently it is less than I expected, but it’s enough to keep me around.

SCAN: Things you miss most about Webster?
AFM: The melting pot of people. I always liked learning of different cultures and at Webster I had the opportunity to meet many. Working in the control room of a news station you don’t get to sit and talk to as many people as say a reporter out in the field, or a Webster student relaxing on the Quad.

Did you just land a job in your field? E-mail scan@webster.edu and tell us about it.

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