News Channel 10’s youngest reporter is making headlines in Roanoke.  At age 24, Jeremy Crider is one of two night-side reporters for NBC affiliate, WSLS.  Although he is the first to sign at the station without prior market experience, his age is no indication of his know-how in the field. 

Before signing with 10, Jeremy polished his work as a convergence intern for Media General—the very first internship of its kind.  He wrote broadcast reports for WSLS and print stories for partner newspapers, The Lynchburg News and Advance and The Danville Register & Bee.  Five years prior, he began his pursuit of journalism at Virginia Commonwealth University, taking on a reporter-anchor position for a monthly news program that aired on PBS stations in Central Virginia.   Outside the classroom he served as a public relations assistant for The National Kidney Foundations of the Virginias, a producer and writer for Media General Radio News and a production assistant for NBC12 in Richmond. 

Crider continues to set new trends at WSLS.  Humility, humor, and heart are his trademarks.  In an exclusive interview with News Channel 10’s Jeremy Crider, The Blacksburg Planet goes on the record with one of Roanoke’s rising on-air personalities. 

Q.  A year ago, you entered a Market 67 station as a young intern, and just months later offered a full-time reporting position.  What’s going through your mind? 

THANK GOD! 

I graduated from V.C.U. at 24-years-old and couldn't find a job.  I was un-employed for nine months and thought I would never work in television.

 I was then approached about an internship at Channel 10 and The Lynchburg News and Advance.  I didn't want to be a college graduate completing yet another internship, but it paid and I believed that if I worked hard enough, Channel 10 would offer me a full-time job.  Nine months after being hired as an intern, I was hired as a full-time reporter.
I HAVE BEEN BLESSED!

Q. What time and day does your workweek start and end?  How demanding is reporting of your time outside of work?

I work Monday through Friday from 2:30 in the afternoon until 11:30 at night.  Well, that's what I am scheduled to work! I usually arrive at my desk around 1 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. and don't leave the office until around midnight.

As one of only two reporters for the 10:00 and 11:00 shows, I am required to turn a lead story each night.  That requires constant calling of sources, setting-up early and being prepared to chase down breaking news.

I would be lying if I said the job doesn't require some time and thought outside of work.  You just have to learn to not let work take over your life!

Q. Describe a basic morning for you in the newsroom—from walking in the door, receiving your first assignment, and heading out to the field.

I walk in the door around 1:30 p.m.  The first thing I do is find out if I've already been assigned a story.  Some afternoons are planned by breaking news --- others may involve a planned meeting I'm assigned to cover. 

If nothing is going on, I begin searching for a story.  I keep evergreen story ideas on hand at all times, follow-up on stories that continue to unfold, find an angle to localize a state/national story and/or ask other reporters if they know of anything newsworthy.

At 2:30 p.m. we enter the afternoon meeting.  I then "pitch" my story idea(s) to my executive producer, assignment editor and news director for approval.  Sometimes they love them, sometimes they don't.  We discuss the story and I'm then sent to begin working on it.

Q. What is it about reporting that you love?  What do you find frustrating?  What keeps you motivated through the tough days?

I LOVE:  That every day is different.  Meeting and talking with people.  Telling people's stories.  Breaking down a difficult topic and making it understandable for viewers.  Breaking news and the adrenaline rush of being live in the middle of nowhere.  The duty and responsibility that comes along with being a journalist and advocate.

I get frustrated when: stories fall through.  People don't call me back.  Someone refuses to do an interview.  I make a mistake in my story - EVEN A SMALL ONE.  I stumble during a live shot.  Another reporter gets a story and/or interview I tried to get.  My hair looks bad!

I'm motivated on a tough day: by knowing tomorrow will be better.  Even the best reporter has a bad one.  By knowing if everyday in this career was perfect, I'd become bored and would need to find a new job to keep me stimulated.  God never gives you anything you can't handle!

Q. Why Virginia Commonwealth University over all other Schools?  How did this University help you get where you are today?

I chose V.C.U. because I wanted to stay in-state and every journalism teacher I asked recommended it.  The campus is located in downtown Richmond and offers so many opportunities for young journalists. 

While taking full-time classes, I also had the chance to get hands-on experience in the real world.  I worked at a local television station for a year, did Public Relations for the National Kidney Foundation of the Virginias and produced local morning radio news updates heard around the state. 

On campus I had the chance to anchor and report for VCU InSight; a television show aired monthly on PBS.  My professors were former television managers, producers, anchors and reporters who taught me how to survive in a newsroom.  I'm very grateful for the training I received at V.C.U.

Q. When did it first hit you that journalism was the profession for you?

I honestly can't remember when being a television news reporter wasn't what I wanted to do!  I was the kid who watched Peter Jennings every night and sat quietly in class watching Channel One every morning.  I always knew that traveling the world to tell people's stories and empowering everyone with the knowledge of what's going on around them is what I wanted and needed to do.

Q.  What is the best advice you have received about this line of work?  What advice would you give?

The best advice I've been given:  never let someone else cause you to lack confidence in the work you produce or the news judgment you possess. 

Working in television is a tough business and there is always someone who would do just about anything to take your job.  Some people aren't afraid to do whatever it takes to make it to the next level, even if that means tearing you down in the process.

Always remember why you became a journalist, where your gift to do the job came from and never let anyone or anything let you forget.

Q.  What goals have you set for yourself as you continue to build upon your skills as a reporter, and move through your career?

I really haven't set too many long-term "goals" for my career.  Well, except for co-hosting the Today Show with Katie Couric!

I do dream big and have a rough outline of where I would like to work.

For now, I'm trying to take advantage of every day and learn as much as possible.  I watch more experienced journalists on national networks, at Channel 10 and in other markets and ask those I can for advice. 
 
My goal is to improve with each assignment, interview and story.  I want to be proud of what I produce everyday.  It's hard to remember on the tough days, but I still believe that working hard and keeping the faith will take me wherever I want to be.