Brian Jackson is a sports anchor and reporter at WJXT Channel 4, in Jacksonville, FL. Guest blog author, Nia Crawford, was excited to interview Mr. Jackson since her own dream is to study sports broadcasting after she finishes her senior year in high school.
Nia, a Loebig Ink summer intern, recently spoke with Jackson in a one-on-one interview:
- Career Influences
I knew probably around 7th or 8th grade that I wasn’t going to be able to play sports professionally. I wasn’t going to be able to make it to the NFL or NBA. Sports reporting was the closest thing to get me to there. If I couldn’t be in the league I might as well get paid to go talk about them! Sports was always a big part of my childhood. - Biggest Career Success
The biggest success of my career is probably being able to have the job I have now. It’s really being able to achieve and live a dream. I am a sports anchor and reporter at the No. 1 rated TV station in Jacksonville Florida. I walk down the street and people actually recognize me from watching me on the TV. It’s kind of weird sometimes. - Recent Lessons Learned
Throughout my career I’ve learned patience more than anything. It’s a very competitive field; a lot of people aren’t going to be on your team. They’re going to tell you “hey your not good enough”. You are going to get told “no” a lot. I probably applied to 500 jobs before I got this one. So the biggest lesson is just patience and perseverance. That’s probably what I can say I learned the most. - What Inspires and Motivates you?
Well this sports broadcasting career is all I’ve ever wanted to do. This has been my dream since I was a kid. I’ve always wanted to be a sports reporter and anchor. Now I’m actually getting a chance to do that. To be able to live out a childhood dream, that’s what, keeps me going. Also, its one of those fields where you get better by doing it every day, so that’s what helps too. - Share a leadership story
A lot of times in this industry you’re actually put on your own. Nobody is really looking ver my shoulder. I have to get done what I have to get done on my own. - Your Top Two
“The elevator to success is out of order. You’ll have to use the stairs…One step at a time.” -Rande Wilson
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11
- About Brian Jackson
Brian Jackson is a sports anchor and a reporter at WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, Florida. Brian is a native Chicagoan and proud alum of Howard University in Washington D.C. Connect with Brian on all his social media sites!
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