Gaby De La Espriella

Embracing the Next Chapter: A Journey From Journalism to New Opportunities

At the beginning of 2000, I was a senior at Florida International University, where I was required to complete an internship with a local news station in order to graduate. I spent weeks calling two South Florida stations-WTVJ NBC6 and WPLG-asking about internship opportunities. Finally, an HR representative at NBC6 said, "Wow, you are really persistent. You can have the internship."

I walked into the newsroom feeling both excited and nervous. I was assigned to work the night shift on the assignment desk. Most journalism programs teach students how to produce, edit, anchor, and report the news-not how to be an assignment editor. Everything I learned came through hands-on experience and on-the-job training.

The motto of the two assignment editors who trained me was simple: sink or swim.

So, I swam.

I learned every aspect of the assignment desk, and after graduating, I fought for a full-time position at NBC6. I eventually worked on the assignment desks at NBC6 and Telemundo 51 for approximately 25 years.

The news business was demanding. There were long days covering stories that unfolded over weeks, such as the collapse of the Surfside condominium building and the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. There were also stories that highlighted the resilience of the South Florida community and reminded me why journalism matters.

Throughout my career, I earned four Emmy Awards, received an Investigative Reporters and Editors award, and advanced into management. After several years, I reached the highest level available in my position, but I wanted to continue growing. I began asking myself what the next step in my career should be.

To challenge myself, I started writing articles for the digital team to strengthen my writing skills. I shadowed the investigative unit to learn how they uncovered impactful stories. I also participated in leadership courses and was paired with a mentor who helped me prepare for future opportunities.

The next logical step would have been to become an Assistant News Director. However, that opportunity would have required relocating to another station or city. By then, my family had become my priority, and moving was not an option.

Although I continued learning and adapting as the news industry evolved, I eventually realized I no longer felt challenged in my role. That realization led me to make one of the most difficult decisions of my career: stepping away from the newsroom to pursue a new chapter.

Leaving television news was intimidating. I questioned whether my skills would translate outside the newsroom and whether I would succeed in a different environment. I reached out to former coworkers, mentors, and communications professionals who understood my abilities and encouraged me to embrace new opportunities.

That leap of faith has been incredibly rewarding. It has allowed me to expand my talents in field producing, public relations, strategic communications, and even teaching middle school broadcast journalism. Each new role has strengthened my confidence and reminded me that the skills I developed in journalism are valuable far beyond the newsroom.

Today, my next chapter continues to unfold. I look forward to teaching middle school broadcast journalism for a full school year while continuing to grow as a communications strategist.

I have learned that the next chapter is rarely complete-it is constantly evolving. Although change can be intimidating, it can also be the beginning of new opportunities, personal growth, and unexpected rewards.