One Kennesaw State alumna said that her decision to attend KSU over UGA, the state’s number one school for journalism, was the best decision for her career.
Like many other students, the beautiful campus initially attracted KSU graduate Autumn Johnson, ESPN Plus sideline reporter and color commentator, but the location and endless possibilities KSU offered allured Johnson to attend.
“I think what really got me was the fact that it was still growing, there was still opportunity there that I could start — it just felt like home to me,” Johnson said. “I really saw the potential in growth and that really played an advantage to me because I was able to work off of that and create my own opportunities.”
Johnson said she learned various lessons inside and outside of the classroom. She gained independence, time management, organizational and interpersonal skills — qualities that have helped transform and mold her into the driven journalist she is today.
“Sports reporting and my interviewing class prepared me the most for my career because they showed me different tactics on how to properly hold an interview and sports reporting gave me different opportunities to actually be independent,” Johnson said.
Aside from Johnson’s academic experience, her social endeavors ignited a change within her as well. Johnson participated in the Tau Zeta Chapter 2018 Miss Black and Gold Pageant which instilled confidence, courage and perseverance. Johnson was also the basketball manager for KSU’s women’s and men’s basketball team, which led her to her profession with ESPN Plus.
After attending a broadcasting boot camp, she expressed her excitement to the basketball coaches who, in return, revealed an upcoming opportunity within the video department. Although Johnson was initially denied, her persistence granted her an interview with ESPN Plus, and she has been expanding her talents, knowledge and skills since.
“In Augusta, I didn’t really have the mentality because there wasn’t really much around for me to do that, especially with what I want to do, but there are so many connections and so many people you could work for here,” Johnson said. “This city has so much to offer, so just find a way to maneuver to get to where you want to be.”
Since graduation, Johnson has been focusing on networking, perfecting her craft, diversifying her skillset and anticipating feedback from other reporters. As a woman who firmly believes it is who you know over what you know that counts, Johnson expressed the importance that KSU students learn how to network.
“You can be the most qualified person [for the job], but … if you don’t know that right person … it’s not going to happen because you need … someone to help you break through the door.”
Between interning for Turner and reporting for ESPN Plus, Johnson has learned the bulk of her knowledge within the field. KSU played an essential role in Johnson’s mental growth and maturity, instilling her with lessons that are not always guaranteed in college.
