"The past few months have been really amazing for Chicago news," says Kay Lindenberg.
She should know. As a production assistant for WMAQ NBC5 Chicago, Lindenberg has helped cover the election of a Chicagoan to the U.S. presidency, the impeachment of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (WCAS79) and Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics.
Election night was particularly exciting for Lindenberg, who arranged special coverage for WNUR, Northwestern's student-run radio station, before heading downtown to help NBC5 report on then–Sen. Barack Obama's (H06) rally in Grant Park and other election parties around Chicago.
A communication studies and economics double-major, Lindenberg got her start in TV when she interned for NBC's Today show in New York City during winter and spring of her junior year. A Chicagoan, she came home in summer 2008 to work at NBC's Chicago affiliate under the direction of Lora Johnson LeSage (J92). Lindenberg continued to work at the station part time last fall as she completed her final courses. She graduated two quarters early in December.
Lindenberg's experiences at WNUR helped move her toward a career in media. "It not only gave me the chance to deliver on-air sports updates, but as WNUR's business manager and then as the director of its public affairs programming, I learned about the business and production side of news," she says.
Lindenberg isn't certain what direction her career will take. "I love hearing and telling stories," she says. "To have the chance to show how extraordinary people are is really exciting. I've always liked numbers too, so maybe financial reporting."
She realizes the news industry is in flux, and she's trying to keep an open mind about what is to come.
"As long as I'm working with people, I'll be pretty happy," she says. "We'll have to wait and see."
— Annie Martin (J09, GJ09) |