Alumni Spotlight: Emily Schutz

Emily Schutz graduated from Florida State University in Summer 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in editing, writing, and media from the Department of English, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. She also double-majored in media communication studies through the College of Communication and Information. Schutz was a writer for Her Campus FSU and served as the secretary of Sigma Tau Delta, FSU’s chapter of the international English honor society. After her three years at FSU, Schutz continued her education at Columbia University, where she earned a master’s degree in journalism in 2022. During her master’s program, Schutz landed an audio production internship with ABC News, which led to her current position as an associate producer at ABC News.

Tell us a bit about your background, where you are from, and what brought you to FSU.

I am Florida-born and raised, so it made sense for me to attend FSU and take advantage of the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program. At the time, I entered FSU on the exploratory track, as I was not sure what I wanted to do. Later, I declared EWM and eventually added MCS. I graduated in Summer 2021, and in lieu of a senior year, I attended graduate school in New York City.

What inspired you to double major in EWM and MCS?

Both majors gave me the skillset to start a career in journalism. EWM helped me become a better writer and offered courses in writing non-fiction articles and essays. Those were my favorite courses because I had the opportunity to pitch stories and do original reporting. MCS, on the other hand, taught me important skills such as photography, video editing, communication techniques and more.

What drew you to news reporting?

Through journalism, injustices come to light. We can change the future by highlighting the events of the present. Seeing the real-world impact of journalism with the #MeToo movement certainly showed me that it is possible to change the world through reporting, and I wanted to be a part of that.

Tell me about your current role as an associate producer for ABC News.

Within ABC News, there are various shows and departments. I work in audio, which includes radio and podcasts. My job changes every day. Sometimes I am handling news, sometimes sports, sometimes bookings, sometimes web coverage. It depends on which shift I am scheduled. Oftentimes, I will come in and get updated on the news by checking my emails. I will do some newsgathering by calling our affiliate partners across the country and discussing their leads. Throughout the day, I will attend editorial meetings, edit audio tracks and articles to be published for our affiliate stations, produce newscasts and edit podcasts.

What do you enjoy most about your job? Why is your work important?

Any time I get to produce my own original reporting is an especially good day. I am lucky to be able to explore a range of beats. I have reported on topics like entertainment, the economy and social justice issues.

I have always found it imperative to be informed, especially in the age of misinformation being spread through social media. My generation grew up with these digital platforms, and some people are less inclined to seek out news. As streaming becomes increasingly popular, young people are turning to podcasts to stay informed on current events. In audio, we have a unique opportunity to inform people of all generations.

How did your time at FSU prepare you for professional success?

The coursework from the EWM program improved my writing and editing skills for extracurriculars like Her Campus FSU and my internship with Joyce Publishing, a Tallahassee-based direct mail marketing agency. During my last six months at FSU, I wrote and edited articles for Home and Yard magazine, one of Joyce Publishing’s two publications, which primarily features home improvement and landscaping content. It also prepared me for my freelance writing role with iLS Network writing for their apartment-hunting websites like RentTally.com.

When I began my master's program at Columbia Journalism School, I heard echoes of what I had been taught about mass media within FSU’s MCS program. I took courses in journalism history, ethics, and law that built off of my previous coursework at FSU.

Can you tell us about an impactful experience during your time at FSU?

Because of my involvement with Her Campus FSU, I was given the opportunity to be paired with a mentor. She was a journalist working a few years out of school. As I applied for internships and jobs, she gave me advice and suggestions. Having this kind of relationship with a reporter pushed me to be more ambitious about my goals within the industry.

Are there any faculty or staff members who inspired you?

I took a writing course taught by Diane Roberts, professor of English and university alumni distinguished writer. She is an experienced journalist with some very impressive reporting skills, and the course I took with her focused on environmental reporting within the state of Florida. She encouraged our class to discuss ideas and give feedback to one another, which greatly improved my assignments. She also encouraged me to attend my master's program and connected me with others who went down a similar path.

What was your favorite place on campus?

During my freshman year, I lived in Gilchrist Hall, so I was always on Landis Green. When it was too crowded, I would head to the Greek Park right across from the Sweet Shop Café and Lounge and set up a hammock. It was a great place for me to read and work outside.

What advice do you have for current students?

Take advantage of on-campus opportunities; by participating in these extra-curriculars, I was able to form connections with students and faculty. These connections helped to propel my career. Also, speak with your career liaison at the FSU Career Center to understand which opportunities might assist you.