Joshua Ashford. Communication: Print and Digital Journalism or Broadcast and Digital Journalism

I am currently a broadcast journalism student with a concentration in broadcasting. My professional background focuses more on the behind-the-scenes side of media production rather than on-air reporting. I have gained experience working with cameras, live production equipment and sports broadcasting environments, which has helped me understand how much teamwork and coordination it takes to produce quality broadcasts.

I chose broadcasting instead of journalism because I enjoy being involved in live production and technical roles. Broadcasting allows me to work directly in the control room or on the production floor, where timing and communication are extremely important. I like the pressure of live television and knowing that my decisions can affect the entire broadcast in real time.

What I enjoy most about my concentration is working in roles such as technical director, floor manager and camera operator. I like managing the flow of a broadcast and making sure everything runs smoothly. Being in the control room or managing the floor keeps me focused and engaged, and I enjoy the responsibility that comes with those positions.

When it comes to sports broadcasting specifically, my favorite roles are technical director and replay. I enjoy switching camera angles, cueing replays and helping tell the story of the game visually. Sports broadcasting moves fast, and I like having to make quick decisions while still paying attention to detail.

One of my favorite projects I have worked on was in my sports broadcasting class, where I spent time behind the scenes shadowing the Mississippi State sports broadcasting team. Being able to observe professionals working with ESPN and the SEC Network gave me a better understanding of how college sports broadcasts operate at a high level. That experience helped confirm that sports broadcasting is something I want to pursue as a career.

Out of writing, photography and video, my strengths and preferences are photography and video. I enjoy capturing moments visually and editing content that tells a story without relying only on words. Photography and video allow me to show emotion, action and atmosphere, which is especially important in sports media.

In this class, I am interested in learning how multimedia elements work together to create a complete story. I want to better understand how writing, visuals and video can support each other instead of working separately. This knowledge will help me improve my ability to contribute to multimedia projects in professional settings.

I am also interested in learning more about storytelling from a multimedia journalism perspective. Even though I focus on technical roles, I understand the importance of strong storytelling. Learning how content is structured will help me make better production decisions during live broadcasts and recorded projects.

My career goal is to work for a college or university in sports media. I am interested in roles such as sports content creation, sports recruiting, player personnel or coordinator of communications. I would also like to continue working in sports broadcasting for live games at the college level.

Long term, I plan to retire from full-time broadcasting by the time I am around 35 years old. I run my own horse and farming business, which is my long-term career goal outside of media. Broadcasting will allow me to gain experience, build connections and support my business before transitioning fully into that role.

Email me at ja2047@msstate.edu with any questions