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10 Within 10 Recognition

John Ketchum '11

Major: Broadcast and Cinematic Arts

Job: Managing producer for a podcast from Vox Media.

Current city: Atlanta

Hometown: Saginaw

What is your favorite memory of CMU? 
Probably the day I got hired as a reporter at WCMU Public Radio. I had no experience and a few average clips of writing. They took a chance on me, and it changed my life forever.

What has been your coolest moment since graduation?
Getting married!

What are you proudest of? 
The proudest moment in my career so far came during my first job with "Marketplace," helping launch a desk dedicated to covering wealth and poverty on NPR. It was such an important beat and was one that hadn't really been covered in public radio nationally until that point.

What advice would you give to new grads? 
Take risks and challenge yourself. Do things you've never done before. Go to places that are new and uncomfortable. Venture into uncharted territory knowing that even when things seem uncertain, your education has equipped you for anything that may come your way.

What has your work life taught you?
To have confidence in myself and my abilities, even when things seem uncertain, unmanageable or too hard. The process is usually messy, but your talent and hard work will get you to where you need to be.

What about CMU helped you succeed?
The professors and the real-world work experience. Being able to learn in the classroom while doing actual reporting put me a step ahead of most of my peers. By the time I started working, I already had four years of reporting experience.