VOICES Publishing from the AAJA National Convention
The 2009 Asian American Journalists Association VOICES Program in Boston helped shape Maria Hechanova’s journalism career today. Learn more about KOLD-TV’s resident reporter since her VOICES experience.
Name: Maria Hechanova
VOICES Year and Role: 2009 student, Boston
Current Position: Reporter and multimedia journalist, KOLD-TV/News 13/FOX 11 Daybreak/TucsonNewsNow.com
What was the pivotal moment in your career that gave you the certainty that broadcast journalism was right for you?
Well, I’ve always liked to talk and I’ve always been really curious, and I also like to know what is going on in my community, so I think my freshman year of high school, I learned that you can get paid for doing that. So, I figured a journalism degree would be the right way to go.
Describe your experience as a student participant in the AAJA VOICES Program.
It was amazing. I had never been to a convention, and this was really the best way to really just get involved with AAJA. They had me meeting all sorts of people. I was learning about the importance of making deadline and also it got me out of my comfort zone. I had a chance to not only do broadcast, which is what I wanted to do, but also learn multimedia with print and also just radio, as well.
How did AAJA VOICES shape your career path?
It was more than just AAJA VOICES; it was AAJA as a whole. I’ve gotten all my jobs through AAJA. My first convention, I ended up meeting someone at my first station in Yuma. Another convention, I met my boss in Lansing, Michigan. And then, at UNITY, which is when all the affinity groups get together, I met my boss here at KOLD/News 13, and so it’s just been kind of a rolling thing. It just really gives you the opportunity to practice your presentation skills and not be afraid to just go up to executives or managers, introduce yourself and just feel comfortable doing that.
Why should college students apply to the AAJA VOICES?
Well, first, let’s be honest, when you’re in college, you don’t have a lot of money, and really, VOICES does help you out financially. But that’s not the only reason why you should get involved. It’s just a great opportunity to be exposed to different mediums of journalism, and then, again, connect with professionals who can really help you in your career, and bottom line, it’s just a lot of fun.
What advice do you have for future student participants before starting the AAJA VOICES Program?
Be as prepared as possible. Read other AAJA VOICES articles. Really ask around, maybe former participants, even alumni, and see what helped them. I think if you go into it doing your research and just soaking it in when you get there, that’s the best way to experience it.
Any final thoughts on the AAJA VOICES Program?
I love AAJA VOICES. I met some of my best friends through the program. I still keep in touch with some of the other alumni, and it’s really great to see everybody as students move forward in their careers, and I really recommend the program for anyone.
