(May 19, 2011) Chris Vlahos is proof that persistence pays. Though he is a talented young broadcaster, Vlahos spent more than one year in the job market before finally landing his first post-collegiate gig. An STAA client, Vlahos is joining KCEN-TV (NBC) in College Station, Texas as a news and sports reporter.
The station is brand new and Vlahos is thrilled to be part of the team that will launch it in October.
“We’re going to be able to write history for the station and say ‘this is how it should be,’” Vlahos says. “We’re going to set the bar, which is exciting.”
A 2010 graduate of the University of Missouri but resident of Southern California, Vlahos is eager to be returning to Big 12 country.
“One thing I’m most looking forward to is covering the Big 12 South in a college town in a sports crazed state like Texas,” Vlahos says. “One guy I was talking to told me the high schools in Texas are like small colleges.”
In the 12 months since he graduated, Vlahos has experienced the variety of frustrations that are common in the job market. He applied for dozens of jobs and had several interviews, yet was repeatedly passed over for reasons beyond his control. Such frustration leads many aspiring broadcasters to give up the dream. Not Vlahos.
“My philosophy is pretty basic — it’s something I’ve lived by for a long time,” he says. “You have to believe. If you don’t believe in your abilities, nobody else will. If you really believe in your own abilities, that is half the battle.”
During the tough times, Vlahos leaned upon STAA for guidance, motivation and support.
“[STAA] has been terrific. From a mock [job] interview we conducted to just being able to call up [STAA CEO] Jon Chelesnik or send him an email if I had a question, or just getting motivational advice. The STAA website alone is invaluable – I found this job on STAA. If not for the website and the postings, we’re not having this conversation.
“Thank you [STAA] very, very, very much for your help.”
(Visit Chris’s STAA Talent Page.)