September 22, 2022
KTLA 5 News Reporter Carlos Herrera (CSUN Journalism Class of ’14) kicked off the Journalism Student Success Series on Sept. 19 with a workshop on time management that provided practical tips on how students can be more organized, self-disciplined and prioritize their tasks to make the most of their day and reduce stress.
Herrera’s job has made him an early riser and a believer in time management. On Tuesdays through Fridays, he starts his shift around 2:30 a.m. but on Saturdays, he gets to sleep in, as he doesn’t need to be in the newsroom until 4 a.m.
Demonstrating how time-management skills are not only useful in college but also the workplace, Herrera said when he was hired, KTLA management passed along these time-management principles: don’t overcommit, allow time for the unexpected, eliminate distractions and allow time for fun.
Keeping a paper or digital calendar is crucial, however apps such as Remember The Milk (a smart to-do list), SelfControl (a free Mac app), Trello (a list-making app) and Cold Turkey (an app that blocks electronic distractions) can also help keep students on track.
After talking about time management, Herrera spoke about his successful career that he launched after earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a Spanish-language journalism minor from CSUN eight years ago. He started out at a TV station in Palm Springs, before getting hired at a TV station in Tucson, then Sacramento. He returned to his birthplace, Hollywood, to join KTLA in October 2020.
Four other Journalism Student Success Series workshops are planned this fall semester:
Networking Bootcamp: Virtual, Wednesday, Sept. 29, 5-6 p.m.
Gaining Grit: MZ 361, Monday, Oct. 10, 1-1:50 p.m.
Resume and Cover Letters: Virtual, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 5-6 p.m.
Building a Growth Mindset: MZ 361, Monday, Oct. 10, 1-1:50 p.m.
The workshops are free and open to all students. Those who attend four of the five total workshops will receive a certificate of participation. For more information, please contact the Journalism Department at jour99@csun.edu or 818-677-3135. No reservations are necessary.