We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jillian Fortner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jillian below.

Jillian, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

I believe those who are successful don’t wait around for opportunities, they create them. There’s no silver bullet that will guarantee success, but actively seeking out experiences and people that align with your goals can take you far. You also have to be willing to take risks. I think the best opportunities come from outside your comfort zone. Finding a passion and purpose in your work is key as well.

Jillian, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve always been drawn to the media/entertainment industry. I grew up heavily involved with the arts and had a lot of different creative outlets such as theatre, dance, music, writing, and video production. All of these experiences made me realize I was truly passionate about storytelling.

In high school is when I realized I was gravitating towards the television news industry. After enrolling in a broadcast journalism course, It became clear to me that this is what I wanted to do as a career. I continued to look for ways to learn about the industry and gain as much experience as I could. Eventually, I was able to land job-shadow and internship opportunities at the local NBC & FOX stations in my city. Getting to be in the newsroom and work alongside the professionals taught me so much.

I am now a full-time student at the University of California, San Diego. I’m working towards getting my bachelor’s degree in Communication. Additionally, I am the Executive Producer for the student-run broadcast at SD City College. I alternate between producing, anchoring and reporting for our weekly shows. This experience has opened so many doors and I am forever grateful for the past two years with the organization. Driving to two different campuses keeps me busy, but at least I enjoy what I do.

My story is still only beginning and I am so excited to see what the future holds.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of what I do is seeing everything come together! This is what I love about creating TV or just working with production in general. There is so much work that goes into it behind the scenes. Everyone works so hard and it’s always been rewarding to see the final product.

Journalism is very intellectually stimulating. I learn so much everyday and get to meet so many interesting people. You never know where you’re going to find your next story. I love that I get to express myself creatively and keep the public informed. As journalists, we have the ability to change perceptions and bring change. I would say that’s pretty powerful!

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

My advice would be to show your team how much you appreciate them. Don’t underestimate the power of small gestures. If you think someone is doing something well, let them know! A small compliment can completely turn someone’s day around.

When it comes to big decisions, encourage their feedback! People want their voices to be heard. It helps them feel that their opinions are trusted and valued.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jillianfortner
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-fortner-994940168/
• Twitter: @jillianfsd