Nick Pietruszkiewicz, professor of journalism and director of the sports communication program, featured ESPN Sportscaster Jay Harris in his talk show “What’s Your Story?,” Thursday, Oct. 9.
“What’s Your Story?” gathers journalists from around the country to discuss topics ranging from the art of storytelling to the state of journalism. Pietruszkiewicz hosts the series to give “the opportunity for students to interact with the people who do the jobs that they hope to do,” he said. This is the series’ second year.
Harris shared he became interested in journalism in the 11th grade.
“I took a career aptitude test and scored well in the area of interpersonal skills and looked at the jobs, journalist may have been the third one listed. I said, ‘That’s what I want to do,’” Harris said.
He started his career in radio, working for a small radio station in Norfolk, Virginia. During his time there Harris filed several stories for the Sheridan Broadcasting Network — now American Urban Radio Networks — before working there as the local news anchor.
Eventually Harris found himself at ESPN in 2003. Harris declined its first two offers, not wanting to relocate his family, but also because of his lack of experience reporting for sports.
“It took me a year to realize that I didn’t have to be a sports encyclopedia… to realize that you’re doing the exact same thing you did when you were in Pittsburgh. Instead of talking about the school board, now you can talk about the Steelers and Pirates,” Harris said.
Harris does not believe that his career began with one particular moment.
“I don’t even think it’s a moment. I think it’s several moments, if you want to be honest. Because if it weren’t for different things happening…I don’t get to be here,” Harris said.
Harris did not start out as an expert. When he first started, Harris believed “it was just bad,” referring to his early work.
Over time, Harris came to realize that he was actually better than most other people around him.
“Even while I thought I was terrible, I was better than most of the other people in my class,” Harris said.
Throughout his career, Harris has learned many valuable lessons.
“One of the most important things, being a good teammate. I always tell young folks at the end of the day, don’t be a d-ck,” Harris said. “This business is small and reputations, people remember reputations.”
Another lesson Harris learned is “time management, because you can’t miss your slide.”
Additionally, Harris advised students to “just use bullet points and not try to memorize your entire stand up when going to a package,” he said.
Several students in attendance were curious about times in Harris’ career when he had failed.
“I could either spend time worrying about failing, or I could spend my time preparing and doing the best that I can,” Harris said.
Harris found that among journalists today, they’ve developed misconceptions about the field.
“You gotta learn how to write. I don’t care what kind of social media, digital age we’re in, you got to know the fundamentals of journalism to be a better journalist,” he said.
Harris has also found that modern journalists focus on the wrong things, caring more about their brand.
“Those are the mistakes that I see young folks making, caring about the wrong things,” he said.
For aspiring journalists, Harris advises “the more authentic you are, the more believable you are, the more trustworthy you become, the more comfortable you are, the better you are.”
