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Keep up with news to stay afloat in journalism’s sea changes

December 1st, 2011 Posted in Arts and Life

JCOM grad Amanda Butterfield tells USU students why she jumped ship from TV to career in public relations

By Allie Jeppson

LOGAN – Former KSL-TV news anchor Amanda Butterfield visited campus Wednesday to talk to Utah State University journalism, broadcasting and public relations students about her career as a news anchor and her recent transition into public relations.

Butterfield, who graduated from USU in 2001, began her TV career as a reporter in Oregon; first in the city of Bend and then Eugene. Afterwards she worked for KSL for seven years as an evening news anchor and general assignment reporter, covering many large stories such as the Beijing and Vancouver Olympics.

Butterfield left broadcast journalism in January and transferred to public relations, where she is now working for Method Communications, located in Salt Lake City, as an account executive.

“With PR, the fun part is that you work Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” Butterfield said. “I’d never worked that before … so you’re really allowed a life and some flexibility.”

Butterfield said she loved TV and still loves it but as a wife with a baby on the way, her focus is no longer solely on her job. “Now that I’m married and we’re starting a family, it would be really hard for me to be in that environment,” she said. “So for me it was a personal lifestyle change.”

Some of Butterfield’s clients include USU’s College of Education, Vivant and Phantom Fireworks.

Butterfield shared many of her personal experiences both in broadcasting and public relations and heavily encouraged students to read the news every day.

“OK, Utah State kids, you guys need to be a little more informed,” Butterfield said after students didn’t know that an Olympic anniversary celebration had been announced earlier today.

“One thing I’m going to tell you is you need to know the news, you have to read the news, especially locally, every day,” Butterfield said.

Students were also advised to be constantly up-to-date with resumes for the job field because of the rate at which things are constantly changing. “I don’t know what it’s going to be like for you guys,” Butterfield said. “It’s just amazing. You guys are in this exciting new period but it’s changing and you have to be on top of it.”

The event, hosted by the Communicators Guild, also included USU alumni from companies such as Cache Valley Magazine, LDS Public Affairs, Utah Public Radio and 2News This Morning for students to meet with about possible future employment.

NW

Tags: Amanda Butterfield, career changes, KSL, public relations, TV reporter