Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Struski
Hi Jennifer, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journalism journey began when I was a sophomore in high school–Southwest High School.
I took a journalism elective and I fell in love with the AP writing style and story-telling and photography, etc. etc. My teacher was a former news photographer from KENS-5 and he had great media connections, so he often brought in speakers and had a great way of connecting us to the “real world” of broadcasting and print journalism. I took on roles as Newspaper Managing Editor, yearbook photographer and eventually Dragon News host for our TV program, which was broadcasted in our school. Our team won a National Emmy award my senior year and I was able to receive the award in Washington D.C. on our school’s behalf–it was an amazing experience for this South Side gal.
My professional career started right out of high school at age 17. My journalism teacher, Mr. Mario Rios, was able to connect me with the Chief Video Editor at KENS 5, Hector Saucedo, for an entry-level video editor position. I interviewed with the assistant news director and landed the job. I worked every holiday and weekends while attending college. I edited videos and pkgs for all newscasts. I quickly learned that this was the real deal and that broadcasting was intense and those deadlines and egos almost broke me. Many times I thought about quitting, but I started to adapt and I had an amazing supervisor–Hector. Hector taught me and trained me how to run the entire capture room and that included taking in national feeds, coordinating live shots, editing stories to follow scripts and the ethics needed in a newsroom.
As time passed, I worked my way up to assistant producer and then morning show producer, working with legends such as Chris Marrou, Fred Lozano and Vicki Buffalino. I then helped launch an interactive newscast with Deborah Knapp and Bill Taylor. I decided to start shooting stories on my own time and I would include those in my newscasts. I worked to perfect my voiceovers and shooting skills. Deborah was a big help in guiding me with my on-air skills.
Then the time came (2012) for me to get a job as a reporter in a smaller market. I left to Colorado Springs for an MMJ role. I worked as a producer and reporter and I even anchored a few times. After a while, I realized that wasn’t the fit for me and I took a break to start a family in Colorado.
It was 2015 when I decided to apply to the station I always wanted to work at, KSAT-12. I saw they were (finally) starting a lifestyle show–SA Live. I jumped at the opportunity! I landed a role as a producer and I sent them ideas every day before they hired me–haha! I loved lifestyle because it allowed me to celebrate my hometown and share some positive stories with our city. I love story-telling and I can even do this in our segments on set and live interviews and this was just the perfect fit for me. I worked my way up from booking producer to MMJ/fill-in host to now, SA Live Co-Host.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The struggles for me and my journey were always being told that I wasn’t good enough. I tried for positions many times and I would many times get overlooked or told I was better in a producer role. I knew that my heart was in story-telling, but it took me longer to finally get where I wanted to be than others who seem to get that opportunity quicker.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Co-Host for SA Live on KSAT-12.I am most proud of the path I’ve taken to get here. It took perseverance to stick with it for so long and to also overcome doubters. I had to often fight to cover certain stories or to land certain interviews.
I am not sure what sets me apart other than just trying to be myself–I love celebrating my city and I love telling positive stories about uplifting people and local businesses.
Any big plans?
I look forward to continuing to evolve with our show and to welcome new faces and to always strive to have the best quality lifestyle show in South Texas.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ksat.com/sa-live/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentobiasstruski/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTobiasStruski/
