Huong Nguyen-Schryver:  

inputted during the show. For example, hurricane coverage (which we get plenty of down here in Florida!)During the year 2004, it seemed like the Summer of Hurricanes was never-ending! They came one after another! We were all so tired and burned out, but we had a job to do, and that was to keep the public informed. It really makes you think about your choice of work. The field we are in, the type of work we do, the hours that are required and the percentage that we are expected to put forth...You shouldn't be in television unless you really, really want to be here. There are times when you are away from your family for a long period of time, during a crisis like a hurricane or 9/11. They don't force you but your dedication to your job commits you to the obligation. That obligation is to the community which includes your family. It's like the military. You provide a public service and you enjoy doing it. I work for the best television station. They really do some cool things there... I'm challenged every day in my job. It's always a new experience, no two days are the same. When I leave work, I feel like I've done my best and worked to contribute as a team player. I feel satisfied. However there are days when things just don't come together or the news is so disturbing...like 9/11. You can't leave, you can't cry, you can't show any emotion, you just have to be professional and try to do your job best as you can with what information you have. Even though the whole time all you can think of is that this could be a friend or family member out there in the middle of it all. There are times when the news is so negative, you just want to quit your job. And you wonder why we as a media report this stuff. Days when you report on a child molester assaulting a two year old in daycare or church and you think about your own child and all you want to do is go home and be with them. Or days when you have to face video of a man in court that is accused of murdering one of your friends but you have to sit through it because it is your job to put this news on the air. This happened to me recently. A fellow friend of mine was a Director for another TV station in town. She was murdered by this man who claims he is mentally challenged. I had to sit through his face and the gory details of how he killed her. Five times in one day-that story was in all the newscasts. I really felt beat-down when I left work that day, needless to say, I went home and had a glass of wine and went to bed early that night. People in our business sometimes forget and in the heat of the moment, feelings and compassion are forgotten and we are treated like "workers" that's when a tough skin comes in handy. But when it's all over, like one big family, we find ourselves again and all is forgotten..til next time breaking news hits.