Interview with Rachel Depompa
WDBJ7, Roanoke
by: Lindsey Leisher

            Becoming a reporter is not quite the piece of cake most outsiders believe it to be. “People are harsh in the business. You have to have tough skin. You will get a lot of criticism in this business from viewers, news directors and fellow reporters.”  This quote is just a sample of the advice offered by Rachel DePompa of WDBJ the CBS affiliate in Roanoke.

            DePompa, the New River Valley bureau chief, has held many jobs as a reporter since graduating from The University of Maryland, College Park in 1998.  Beginning her career right out of school at a small cable station in Westminster, Md.,  DePompa worked for one month before being hired at ABC affiliate WHSV in Harrisonburg, Va., where she worked for three years as the weekend anchor/reporter.  She then moved to WCYB NBC affiliate in Bristol, Va., as a reporter. DePompa worked there for one year and then came to WDBJ CBS affiliate as the New River Valley bureau chief, where she covers eight counties and two cities with a photographer.

Q:  What do you believe is the definition of a reporter?

DePompa:  “To me, being a reporter means being the eyes and ears for the public in places they can't be. I love my job. You do something different every day. And I feel like, in the long run you really help people, especially in bad times. Reporters often help give people vital information.”

Q:  Did you always want to be a reporter? If yes, why? If no, what caused you to enter that career field?

DePompa:  “When I was 5 I used to tell people I wanted to be an ‘author’...that eventually morphed into reporting. I've always loved writing and had a passion for telling stories. I realized I wanted to be a reporter in high school. I used to stay home every Friday night just so I could watch Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters on 20/20... When I skipped going out, I knew I really wanted to do this. In high school and college I wrote for the school paper. I eventually tried radio and then TV. I found my calling in TV news.”

Q:  What type or topic of stories do you enjoy covering most? Least? Why?

DePompa:  “I really enjoy human interest stories. Stories about real people in real situations. Stories where the viewer may learn something about the human condition. Where someone can learn a simple truth. I once did a story on a woman who made pet caskets. The story was all about how she made them and who she made them for, but deep down it was truly about grief and that's something everyone can relate to. I truly don't like covering standard press conferences. I know sometimes they are necessary, especially in an emergency to get information out.”

Q:  Has there been a story you have covered that still influences you today as a reporter? What was the topic/story and why did it have such an impact?

DePompa:  “I once covered a school bus accident. It was devastating. There were injured children everywhere. That was a day I truly learned the importance of my job and getting the information right. Parents were very concerned and hanging on my every word to learn more information on the accident. I was a one-man-band reporter at the time so I not only had to report, but I had to work the camera myself and get the pictures. It was hard shooting video of frightening parents and bloody children, but it was necessary. It makes you learn to put your emotions aside and do your job because many people are relying on you for unbiased and accurate information.”

Q:  Who do you consider to be a role model for the reporting industry? Why?

DePompa:  “I consider Diane Sawyer my role model in the industry. Not only does she possess the beauty and grace to tell the story, but she's a tough interviewer and she's always stuck to her journalistic principals. I love watching her interviews and the way she tells stories. I like to try and learn from her and model some of my reports off of her.”

Q:  What advice would you give to students graduating from college looking to get into the business?

DePompa:  “I want students to know this is a tough, tough industry. It's hard to break into. Many things are superficial as well. Often times people will hire you based on your look or ethnicity or gender. You also will make very little money at first. My first salary was 16-thousand dollars a year. How do you live on $16,000? It was tough. Plus, people are harsh in the business. You have to have tough skin. You will get a lot of criticism in this business from viewers, new directors and fellow reporters. But it's not all bad; it's a very rewarding career. Especially when you do a story that helps someone or gives them vital information. Or if you do a story that touches someone's heart. Plus, once you make it past the first few years it gets easier.”

Q:  When looking for jobs after college, what do you believe is the number one characteristic to look for in a TV station? Why?

DePompa:  “Honestly you can't pick and choose when you first get out of college. You basically have to take the first job you can get. You could end up in Alaska reporting news. It's such a tough industry to get into you can't be picky. You have to suck it up and get your foot in the door. But once you get that first job, then you can start to pick and choose.”