From Intern to Digital Producer: My KWTX News 10 Experience

Well, I’m closing a chapter of my life, and I’m grateful that you’ve been able to share this journey with me.

After graduating with my master’s degree from Baylor University as an international student, I was intentional about seeking hands-on experience in a professional newsroom environment, which led me to this opportunity.

Although I didn’t sit behind the anchor desk, I sat behind one that helped drive stories in digital spaces.

For the past year and a half, I have had the opportunity to work alongside some incredible people at KWTX News 10, the leading local television station in Central Texas, first as an intern and then as a full-time employee.

As a digital content producer, I was responsible for creating content that served our local community, from everyday stories to major national events.

Our reporters deliver impactful local stories that our audience values, and we also receive national stories from other news sources that add to our coverage.

A number of political stories made headlines, and I quickly learned that sourcing mattered just as much as the story itself.

Even major outlets can be susceptible to bias, so I went directly to government websites, official documents, and live press conferences to make sure what we published was accurate and balanced, not just framed narratives.

In a leading station, there is always pressure to be first to break the news, but I learned that accuracy is just as important because it is difficult to retract misinformation once it is published, and it can lead to a loss of trust.

That tension between speed and accuracy became a major part of how I approached this role, especially as I was introduced to the fast-paced, unpredictable world of news while helping cover the tragic July 4 floods.

Not only was I on the front lines of covering the story digitally, but I was also processing the weight of what was unfolding in real time.

It showed me that opportunities to grow sometimes come quicker than we expect.

I wasn’t just someone who posted content.

I learned, created, and applied effective digital media strategies that produced real results for our station’s social presence.

One of my proudest achievements was helping lead the charge in increasing not only consistency on our Instagram page, but also growing our audience by over 10,000 organic followers.

For me, it was never just about the numbers.

It was about building an audience that actually cares, engages, and trusts what you’re putting out.

That’s what creates real community.

One of the biggest breakout moments came from experimenting with quote-based content from political figures.

One post alone reached over 100,000 likes on Facebook with millions of views.

That moment helped shape a repeatable strategy for how we approached audience-driven content.

Quotes worked so well because they gave the raw voice and emotion of a person without heavy editorial interpretation.

I quickly learned that not every piece of news content performs the same across platforms.

What works on Facebook may not translate to Instagram or other channels, so constant testing and adaptation became part of the process.

I also gained experience in digital streaming by creating my own video podcast, The College Buzz (on YouTube), where I shared college advice and platformed college students to share their stories as a resource for those aspiring to be where they are.

Podcasting, however, is a lot of work.

It’s more than just turning on a camera.

I had to plan topics, gather information, outline each show, create questions, and develop creative material for the stream.

I had to schedule, communicate with, and follow up with guests.

It was a weekly show during the time I committed to it.

It gave me the opportunity to explore whether it was something I wanted to continue long-term.

Ultimately, with everything else I was doing, I chose not to continue it, and that is the beauty of opportunity.

Still, I gained a meaningful skill set from the experience.

This has honestly been one of the best places I’ve worked so far.

Yes, there were moments when things moved fast, and the pressure was real, but thankfully, that wasn’t every day.

Most of all, I’m grateful to the Lord for His faithfulness in my life.

It is only by His grace that I am what I am and that I am able to do what I do.

As one chapter closes, not with regret or loss, but with gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose and direction.

I remember as a little boy playing with a V-Tech laptop (if you know, you know), pretending to be a reporter.

Although I wasn’t in the usual capacity of what many know news to be, I am grateful I got the chance to be ahead of the curve as the news world continues to change and digital becomes more of the “now.”

So here’s to one more thing crossed off.

Maybe I’ll circle back one day?

Who knows?

But for now, we’ll see what’s next.