Garcia Lands Job with NY Station

Starts This Fall as Reporter and Program Host

"I like radio reporting. All you have is your voice and sound," says Deanna Garcia, a summer 2004 intern with Morning Edition. "It's a very creative medium."

Garcia, a recent graduate of New Mexico State University, will follow her public radio passion this fall at member station WXXI in Rochester, NY. The station has hired Garcia to be a reporter and the local program host for All Things Considered.

Garcia began her public radio career at KRWG in New Mexico. Garcia says KRWG's news director took a chance and hired her almost four years ago. At the time, Garcia says, she had "not one iota of prior radio experience."

But she fell in love with public radio and worked at KRWG for over three years. Garcia is inspired by role models like Linda Wertheimer, Susan Stamberg and Anne Garrels.

"I'm not terribly outgoing or pushy," Garcia says. "But I'm getting over it and learning to get out there, generate ideas, and go after stories."

Garcia's advice for those who wish to follow a similar path in public radio: "Apply for any internship opportunities you see. There's nothing wrong with setting your goals high," she says.

"And start early to look for employment. It's a long process!"