VCU alum, White House correspondent visits students

Jack Glagola, News Editor

NBC White House correspondent and VCU alum Aaron Gilchrist returned to campus on Thursday, March 21 to talk to students about journalism and his work in the field.

Gilchrist discussed the nature of the job, changes in the journalism industry and some of his favorite stories during the talk. Afterward, he answered questions posed by the audience.

Gilchrist said his most memorable experience was working full-time for WWBT, Richmond’s NBC affiliate, while still studying mass communications at VCU. He said he would practice skills in the newsroom and learn the “why” in his classes.

Journalism’s unpredictability and its necessary role in society makes the job fulfilling, Gilchrist said.

“No two days are alike,” Gilchrist said. “You never know what tomorrow’s story is going to be, and what crazy thing may be an element of that story.”

Much has changed in his 20-year career as a broadcast journalist, especially in technology, Gilchrist said. When he started, they used camera operators, tape and satellite trucks. Recently he reported on a story with all the equipment in a backpack.

Gilchrist said it is unfortunate that the current political environment can pose a greater danger to journalists, but that it is still important to tell the story.

“It really matters that we are making a record of some of those uncomfortable things,” Gilchrist said.

Gilchrist said TV news is more immediate, and that alleviates some of the pressure associated with the job.

“You have to trust that you’ve gathered the information the right way and then figure out ‘how do I present this in a way that’s going to be useful?’” Gilchrist said.

Gilchrist advised students aspiring to be journalists, especially TV journalists, to make sure they have the right reasons for wanting to do it — it is not all “hair, makeup, celebrities.”

“You get to go places, you get to meet people, you get to hear stories, you get to literally roll around with pigs sometimes,” Gilchrist said. “There’s really fun moments in what we do. If you get into it for the right reasons, you can have a long, fulfilling career in this industry.”

Gilchrist, taking a question from the audience about how to sharpen journalism skills, recommended reading and writing as a way to practice. Success does not just mean a pretty face, he said. Good writing is a “skill that never goes out of style.”

“The more knowledge you’re able to amass, the better you show up in our business because it helps inform the next thing you’re going to have to report on,” Gilchrist said.