QVC Host Inspires Mass Comm Students
Gabrielle Kerr speaks at LU
Nicole Lockley
Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: News
|
"I can't stand to watch myself on reels," Kerr told a crowded audience gathered in the Dickey Hall Auditorium to hear her speak about her career in the entertainment and television industry.
Kerr's original dream was to be a doctor, but in her second year at Morgan State University, she changed her major to broadcast journalism. During her junior year, she interned at Fox 45 in Maryland and four weeks into her internship, she was offered a job as Weekend Assignment Desk Editor. She worked the gig while maintaining her status as a full-time student.
Later, she was offered the opportunity to be the Morning Show Associate Producer, followed by positions with the Maryland Lottery as co-host and host of a Maryland game show. Two years ago, she relocated to QVC in West Chester where she is featured on television several weeks selling a range of products.
In her speech, Kerr encouraged students to find internships and gain on the job training.
"Don't waste an internship opportunity on something you're not interested in," she said. "Internships are very valuable."
Kerr said that at QVC, she has been given a wide-range of responsibilities, but added that the channel still has a long way to go in promoting racial diversity, but added that executives are open to expanding their base.
"It would be nice to have more faces of color," she said, adding that she recently approached her boss about selling products by "faces of color."
Despite the glitz and glamour of being on television, Kerr emphasized that students interested in working in the broadcast industry have to develop a set of business savvy skills.
"In this industry you are a slave to what they want you to do," she said, in response to a question by Mass Communications student Dexter Stuckey who asked Kerr if she had to gain permission to cut her hair.
While Kerr didn't go to graduate school, she said that she's contemplating reenrolling someday in a graduate program to gain a second degree in accounting of business. "An advanced degree can never hurt," she said.
She also plans to start a family someday with her husband.
Still, despite her many accomplishments, she still has one very unique dream.
"I would love to work with the Muppets."
Be the first to comment on this story