by Raven Mackey
Recent University of West Georgia graduate Darryl Forges had the experience of a lifetime when he got to take a selfie with the queen of talk show herself, Oprah Winfrey.
Darryl Forges and Oprah Winfrey
Darryl graduated from UWG in spring of 2014 with a B.S. in mass communications with a concentration in convergence journalism. While at UWG he was heavily involved in the mass communications department and was awarded the Mass Communications Award of Excellence for Convergence Journalism and UWG's Professional Development Award. He also hosted a political talk show on the WOLF, UWG’s premier Internet radio station.
Darryl is a reporter for The Alabama News Network in Montgomery, Alabama. Though he is a busy man, he was happy to take time to talk about his career and his alma mater.
- Why news?
“It’s been a passion of mine since I was really young. I love current events and informing people on what’s going on locally and nationally.”
- What are the biggest challenges you face regarding your line of work?
“Long hours! It’s very demanding. My first time by myself I worked 16 hours and had to get up bright and early. Another is working by myself. I’m a one-man band. That means to shoot, edit, and write all my stories.”
-What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?
“It’s rewarding seeing people’s face when you introduce something new to them. One lady told me that because of one of my stories she got checked for breast cancer. She said that it was detected early and if it wasn’t for my story it would have been much longer until she would have gone to the doctor. That meant a lot to me.”
- Since graduation what has been your biggest accomplishment?
“Wow!. I would have to say interviewing the governor of Alabama and Oprah. Every day it hits me that I've interviewed some high profile people in just five months on the job. It's truly a blessing.”
- How has UWG prepared you for the real world?
“One of my teachers, Sonya Barnes, pushed me to the max. She said I had a lot of potential. Her Broadcast News Writing and Reporting class kicked my tail, but ever since I got into the industry I see exactly what she prepared me for.”
- What do you hope to accomplish in the near future?
“I would like to come back home to Atlanta and become a reporter or anchor. Who knows, I may go national. I just hope that I will be able to get to that point in the future.”
- Any advice for current students or students graduating in the spring?
“Do everything! No matter if it's print, radio, or television, do it. You do not want to cross that stage having any regrets. Also don't just stick to one thing. For instance, don’t say you just want to be an anchor or a radio host. You have to be well rounded in several areas in production and editing in order to be considered for an entry-level position. Work hard now, and reap the benefits when you graduate and obtain your dream job.”
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