Maggie Leatherman
College Comp and Research
Interview Essay
November 8, 2016
Lara Moritz
Barbara Walters, woman news anchor and TV producer, once said, “I regret not having more children. I would have loved to have had a bigger family.” Lara Moritz, news anchor for KMBC Action 9 News, is an example of a full-time mom and full-time reporter. However, at times, Moritz struggles to be the best she can be at both full-time jobs. Moritz is a women who constantly has to battle her work life with her home life; her family members have inspired her to work hard for what she wants to accomplish, such as a time-consuming job, which has helped her develop a thick skin.
Moritz explained having a time consuming job and being on call 24/7 is difficult when trying to be the best mom and employee she can be. Moritz said, “As a female, in any field you just have to be strong, and keep your eyes open. But I sometimes feel like I have to fight for big stories. Once you prove yourself as a strong journalist, it doesn't matter whether you are a male or female. You have to balance things, and you aren't going to be the best mom or employee.” Moritz is a mother of two and an on-call journalist. She noted, as a woman, she had to fight for her “right” to good stories. She admitted that it is impossible to be the best mom or employee, and often times she has to choose: “Women carry a big responsibility when it comes to sick kids and jobs.” Moritz has a demanding job. She has made big sacrifices as a mother to be the ideal reporter.
In addition to having a time consuming job, Moritz shared that her family’s guidance is important to her. Moritz said, “Always listen to your mom.”As a mother of two, Moritz accepted her mother’s advice and proclaimed it to her kids. Moritz also said, “One thing my dad always taught me is make contact with people and keep in contact with those people.” Even though Moritz grew up in a small town, she had big dreams and goals to achieve; however, going from a small town to a big city, she had to take her father’s advice. The advice that her dad gave her ended up leading her to interviewing the President of the United states.
As Moritz interviewed President Obama, she explained how she was nervous, however, this career helped her develop a tough skin. Moritz stated, “I almost threw up; actually, I think I did because I was so nervous. But I remember that you don't need to yell, but you have to work and practice at everything.” Even though Moritz is on TV, she is a “real” person too. She had to learn to find her comfort zone when reporting. When she first began her job, she was often nervous but now finds comfort behind the camera and has learned to “change the script on the fly.” With the stress and emotions of being a reporter, Moritz said, “I chose this career, but I know who I am as a person and I have to develop tough skin.” As a woman reporter, Moritz explained how her career has made her a stronger person on the inside and outside.
While Moritz learned to have tough skin, she confessed, as a reporter, it is difficult to always state the facts because of the emotion that comes with reporting on all types of stories. Moritz shared that it is hard to hide her feelings when she is interviewing a person who has lost a loved one and admired the strength of one sharing his or her story. Moritz elaborated, “Sometimes I cry with you and laugh with you; we are in this together.” She has learned the difficulty of keeping her feelings and certain stories separate. Moritz said her favorite power as a reporter is giving others the chance to share their voices. Moritz explained, “The strength of someone having the ability to talk and share their voice after someone has had a tragedy is incredible.” Although Moritz has stories that are tragic, she also reports on stories that bring a city together: “When something unites us all together, like the royals, it’s magical.” She has been blessed with this career for 23 years.
Because Moritz is a reporter, she is always dealing with adversity. Moritz stated, “I’m always going to be frustrated, but I have loved my challenging career. I never know what is going to happen, anything can change in a heartbeat. I’m never bored.” Moritz goes into work every day not knowing the big breakout story. She loves the thrill of her job. Moritz, regarding difficult adversity, said, “I love interviewing people and love being out in the field. Technology has progressed, especially with social media, emails, Twitter, Snapchat; this has opened up to criticism.” Technology has made it easier for critics to attack reporters with personal social media accounts; however, Moritz takes it as a way to make herself better in the workplace.
Lara Moritz is an example of a woman who is passionate about her time-consuming job. She explains how she wouldn’t want it any other way. Moritz is a women who constantly has to battle her work life with her home life. Her mom and dad have inspired her to work hard for what she wants to accomplish, such as a full-time mother, and news reporter. Because of her tough job, she has learned to develop a thick skin. Moritz is a strong woman who has to battle her home life job, and real life job everyday.
College Comp and Research
Interview Essay
November 8, 2016
Lara Moritz
Barbara Walters, woman news anchor and TV producer, once said, “I regret not having more children. I would have loved to have had a bigger family.” Lara Moritz, news anchor for KMBC Action 9 News, is an example of a full-time mom and full-time reporter. However, at times, Moritz struggles to be the best she can be at both full-time jobs. Moritz is a women who constantly has to battle her work life with her home life; her family members have inspired her to work hard for what she wants to accomplish, such as a time-consuming job, which has helped her develop a thick skin.
Moritz explained having a time consuming job and being on call 24/7 is difficult when trying to be the best mom and employee she can be. Moritz said, “As a female, in any field you just have to be strong, and keep your eyes open. But I sometimes feel like I have to fight for big stories. Once you prove yourself as a strong journalist, it doesn't matter whether you are a male or female. You have to balance things, and you aren't going to be the best mom or employee.” Moritz is a mother of two and an on-call journalist. She noted, as a woman, she had to fight for her “right” to good stories. She admitted that it is impossible to be the best mom or employee, and often times she has to choose: “Women carry a big responsibility when it comes to sick kids and jobs.” Moritz has a demanding job. She has made big sacrifices as a mother to be the ideal reporter.
In addition to having a time consuming job, Moritz shared that her family’s guidance is important to her. Moritz said, “Always listen to your mom.”As a mother of two, Moritz accepted her mother’s advice and proclaimed it to her kids. Moritz also said, “One thing my dad always taught me is make contact with people and keep in contact with those people.” Even though Moritz grew up in a small town, she had big dreams and goals to achieve; however, going from a small town to a big city, she had to take her father’s advice. The advice that her dad gave her ended up leading her to interviewing the President of the United states.
As Moritz interviewed President Obama, she explained how she was nervous, however, this career helped her develop a tough skin. Moritz stated, “I almost threw up; actually, I think I did because I was so nervous. But I remember that you don't need to yell, but you have to work and practice at everything.” Even though Moritz is on TV, she is a “real” person too. She had to learn to find her comfort zone when reporting. When she first began her job, she was often nervous but now finds comfort behind the camera and has learned to “change the script on the fly.” With the stress and emotions of being a reporter, Moritz said, “I chose this career, but I know who I am as a person and I have to develop tough skin.” As a woman reporter, Moritz explained how her career has made her a stronger person on the inside and outside.
While Moritz learned to have tough skin, she confessed, as a reporter, it is difficult to always state the facts because of the emotion that comes with reporting on all types of stories. Moritz shared that it is hard to hide her feelings when she is interviewing a person who has lost a loved one and admired the strength of one sharing his or her story. Moritz elaborated, “Sometimes I cry with you and laugh with you; we are in this together.” She has learned the difficulty of keeping her feelings and certain stories separate. Moritz said her favorite power as a reporter is giving others the chance to share their voices. Moritz explained, “The strength of someone having the ability to talk and share their voice after someone has had a tragedy is incredible.” Although Moritz has stories that are tragic, she also reports on stories that bring a city together: “When something unites us all together, like the royals, it’s magical.” She has been blessed with this career for 23 years.
Because Moritz is a reporter, she is always dealing with adversity. Moritz stated, “I’m always going to be frustrated, but I have loved my challenging career. I never know what is going to happen, anything can change in a heartbeat. I’m never bored.” Moritz goes into work every day not knowing the big breakout story. She loves the thrill of her job. Moritz, regarding difficult adversity, said, “I love interviewing people and love being out in the field. Technology has progressed, especially with social media, emails, Twitter, Snapchat; this has opened up to criticism.” Technology has made it easier for critics to attack reporters with personal social media accounts; however, Moritz takes it as a way to make herself better in the workplace.
Lara Moritz is an example of a woman who is passionate about her time-consuming job. She explains how she wouldn’t want it any other way. Moritz is a women who constantly has to battle her work life with her home life. Her mom and dad have inspired her to work hard for what she wants to accomplish, such as a full-time mother, and news reporter. Because of her tough job, she has learned to develop a thick skin. Moritz is a strong woman who has to battle her home life job, and real life job everyday.
Works Cited
Ward, Kaili, and Emma Leamer. “Lara Moritz.” 26 Oct. 2016.
Ward, Kaili, and Emma Leamer. “Lara Moritz.” 26 Oct. 2016.