(June 26, 2014) Usually, there comes a point in every sportscasting career when the call of the job takes you away from your home area. For STAA client AJ Good, that call has not yet come. Good has accepted the Sports Director position at WVVA-TV in Bluefield, WV.
“It’s great to have a job like this close to my hometown. Though my previous job was next door, this is still not bad at all. I’m a West Virginia native and I know the area very well and I know the history well so it’s a very good fit for me.”
Good had been on the job hunt for a while when he saw the WVVA position in an STAA job leads email. Fortunately, Good had a previous working relationship with WVVA’s news director.
“I worked with the news director at WCHS TV so I had some familiarity there. She called the day after I sent the email. Fast forward three weeks and now I’m in Bluefield.”
Good has spent the last several years as a Sports Reporter/Anchor/Photographer at WCHS in Charleston, WV. Now, he’s enjoying the perk of being the boss at his new job.
“Also in talking with several news directors across the country over the past few months, I know that seeing Sports Director on a resume looks great. Plus the experience of being in a different market is great and getting the experience of learning different equipment and others is very valuable.”
In offering advice to others on the job market, Good is passionate about his belief in the value of good old fashioned work.
“Work your butt off,” Good advises. “Don’t be one of those guys that just sits around in the newsroom getting national feeds and watching ESPN. Get out and get stories, make contacts, meet new people. Doing those things not only will give you experience, it will give respect and a good reputation. Hard work will always pay off in the end, and with patience, will get you where you want to go.”
“If you would’ve told me a year ago that I would be here, I would’ve told you you’re crazy. But, life took its twist and I answered the call.”