Check Out Mikaela Thomas’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mikaela Thomas.

Hi Mikaela, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up, I always knew I wanted to work in broadcast/news in some sort of capacity. So as I navigated through life, a lot of my decisions were made with the idea creating a clean pathway to a newsroom. For example, as a child I competed in oratorical contest and as I got ready to graduate high school I knew I would need to major in communications and media studies to continue on my journey.

I decided to attend Clayton State University – GO LAKERS! Upon graduation, I moved back to the Augusta/Thomson, Ga area and worked in corporate for a while but I never lost sight of my overall goal of getting into news. In recognizing my path, I knew I would have to attack my goal in intervals so I made up my mind that I would attempt to get into a small news market, then a medium news market, and then finally a large news market.

After a bunch of NOs (shoutout to them because they definitely made me who I am today!), I finally got a yes to start my career in journalism as a Digital Content Producer at WFXG, in my time there, I maneuvered from being just someone who created digital content (writing for web, creating app pushes, handling all social media accounts), to being an assignment editor/manager, and even having my weekly on-air segment Trending Topics, where we discussed what was ‘trending’ on Digital. After two years there I relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina and worked at WCNC, the NBC affiliate. Once I started to feel myself hitting the ceiling I decided to explore once more which landed me where I am today with an amazing opportunity at WSB-TV, the flagship local news station of Atlanta and the south!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has not been smooth, but I never expected it to be. One of my biggest struggles was knowing I could do the jobs/positions I would apply for but never getting the chance to show that to others. I remember always believing in myself and saying, “man all I need is for someone to give me a chance and it’s on after that”.

Another struggle was finding mentors and people who looked like me or shared the same goals as me, who would take me under their wings and make sure I am putting myself in the right position. Contrary to popular belief, the news industry can be very ‘clicky’ and it gives off the ‘you can’t sit with us’ mentality. But one thing about HARDWORK is that it is hard to deny it! So even in struggling to get into a newsroom and build relationships, I knew and trusted God that my work would speak for itself and it has.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At WSB-TV I am a Digital Content Producer who shares a dual role as an assignment editor – my department is affectionately known as the Content Center.

My day-to-day consists of a lot of different tasks, but in short, I am the gatekeeper of the newsroom. It is the responsibility of my colleagues and I to determine with information makes into our newsroom – by way of speaking to viewers on the phone and hearing their concerns or news tips, receiving emails of story pitches and or press releases, as well as monitoring scanners, law enforcement website and even social media. We also help determine what makes it on air and on web (by way of formatting/writing content for television, website, social media and push alerts).

I specialize in writing and creating digital content throughout local news, but finding ways to make it digestible for the average person. I also specialize in being able to make sound decisions on what is possible news content and what isn’t. Even in dealing with things that may not be news content, I work with viewers, businesses, and others to try to direct them to the correct avenue to addressing their issues and getting them heard.

I would have to say I am known for creating and maintaining relationships. People often wonder how does the news learn about things that are happening throughout our viewing area – oftentimes it is because the relationships myself and my colleagues have with people in the community who TRUST us to dig and find the answers on topics, events, and incidents.

I am most proud about being authentically myself – this alone has time and time again set me apart from other people, even in the work setting. I feel that my colleagues know that I pride myself in being a realist. Meaning I find ways to use my own experiences or lack of experiences as a single, Black 31-year-old woman to connect to content, stories, and issues that may be throughout Atlanta and metro Atlanta areas. I am also proud to work in a space that allows you to be yourself – if one day I want to wear my Jordan 2s and the next I want to wear a dress and heels it is accepted. That helps to make the workplace a comfortable space and definitely helps get the creative juices flowing when creating and writing content.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
There are a few:

Self-discipline – the ability to make yourself do what you’re supposed to do even when no one is watching.

Concentration – the ability to focus on the task or tasks at hand without any distractions getting in the way of my overall success.

Hard Work – giving maximum effort in everything I do. I strive to be one of the best. I strive to outwork myself from the day before. And I thrive off of NEVER letting anyone or anything knock my off my pivot.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Mikaelathomastv.com
• Instagram: @MikaelaThomas.TV
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikaela-thomas-2904876b/
• Twitter: @MikaelaThomasTV