In 2017,ĚýSavannah SellersĚý(Jour’13) helped launch NBC News’ “,” a daily news show aired on social media platforms. The show was among the first of its kind to reach younger audiences with the news and remains popular today. Savannah co-hosts the show with NBC News correspondents Gadi Schwartz and Maya Eaglin and hopes to expand the show's offerings as they celebrate its five-year anniversary.
As you celebrate this milestone in your career, what's your best piece of advice for Buffs looking to pursue their dreams?
Work your tail off! You can’t control if you’re the smartest person in the room, but you can certainly be the hardest working. The way that I got to where I am was by working in the industry and for the company where I could see my dream job. I always made sure to do my best possible work in the job I was hired to do at that time… and then I spent my mornings, evenings and weekends taking steps toward my dream job. It’s a lot of work but it’s paid off.Ěý
What aspects of CU's journalism program have most impacted your success?
I call on the skills I used at CU Boulder every single day. I can still hear Professor Paul Daugherty explaining what a TRT or a VOSOT are when we’re putting my show together. CU’s journalism program is so special because it’s so tailored to learning the specific skillset of whichever aspect of journalism you want to get into. was a crash course in my day job now. I am so grateful I had that experience and was able to jump into the professional world with such a strong foundation under me. I can’t recommend that course enough.Ěý
Now that you're almost a decade out from your time in Boulder, how has your mindset shifted from being a new grad to a more seasoned professional?Ěý
Oh boy. Has it been almost 10 years?! Thanks for the reminder that I am old. To be honest, in my head I still feel more like a new grad than a real adult. I said as much when I gave the CU Commencement address in 2019. I think any type of transition into a “more seasoned professional” has happened without it being a purposeful mindset shift. For example, when it comes to anchoring… it’s nice to be in a place where I don’t get nervous before we’re live and I’m comfortable handling breaking news. But I think the best way to approach life is to stay curious and approach everything like you could always learn more. I’m in total amazement every day when I arrive at 30 RockĚýthat I have my own office in this historic building working for NBC. Seriously, I geek out over it! Not sure how much of a seasoned professional that makes me!Ěý
What are some of your favorite memories from CU?Ěý
How much time do you have?! Everything from NewsTeam Boulder to sorority recruitment (go Chi O!) to studying abroad to dinners at The Med (RIP). But more than anything, the greatest gift CU gave me was the people. The professors who taught me so much and who I love to check in with whenever I’m back on campus. And, of course, the very best friends. Friends who are still like sisters and who are all coming to Italy with me this fall to celebrate my wedding!Ěý
Any tips for new CU Boulder students starting this fall?
Use your years at CU Boulder to soak up as much as you can. If you know what you want to do, CU has incredible course offerings that can help you get a head start in your field. If you don’t know what you want to do, enjoy taking all kinds of different courses. One of my favorites was a course I took all about the eruption of MountĚýVesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii. That has nothing to do with what I do now, but I loved it. If I could do it over, I would take more classes like that. For me, joining Greek life and studying abroad were two of the best decisions I made in college. Those specific things aren’t for everyone but find what makes you happy and helps you feel that you belong!Ěý
Ěý
Photos courtesy Savannah SellersĚý
Related Articles
Inquiry: CMCI Dean Lori Bergen
