Career Roadmap
James's work combines: Television, Journalism, and Being Creative
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
GED
Passaic High School
Bachelor's Degree
Organizational Communication, General
William Paterson University of New Jersey
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Broadcast Technicians:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Organizational Communication, General
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
After the death of my dad at 16, I dropped out of H.S.
2.
I joined the US Navy and volunteered to attend Submarine School where i also earned my GED, on a whim.
3.
Attended college nights and weekends under the GI Bill while working days for 9 years to earn my BA.
4.
I started part time at the local cable company.
5.
I took a full time night job at the Meadowlands Sports Complex, and so worked 2 full time jobs.
6.
I did this for 9 years while also building a freelance business in sports, news & entertainment.
7.
One of my clients was the United Nations and they offered me a staff position which I accepted.
8.
After 15 years I left the UN, but I was offered a freelance position with NBC News.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
An adjunct professor told us we had better love working in TV because we wouldn't make money at it. But I did immediately shooting social events and eventually made a 6 figure income working in NYC. And, that teacher went on to work at Disney World.
How I responded:
Being in the Submarine Service gave me a sense of invincibility and I decided that if the doors didn't open for me then I would kick them down. So I sent resumes and called people every day for 8 years in order to break in full time, and I withstood a huge amount of rejection. But, when I got my chances I overcame my fears and took the jobs, like the first time I was hired to sit under the basket in Madison Square Garden with a hand-held camera to work a NY Knicks game.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
When I was 16 my dad died suddenly and I lost interest in school and quit. But, when my grief ended I knew I'd made a mistake. So, I decided to pull myself up and I joined the Navy. And, that one decision changed the course of my entire life.