Thursday afternoons buzz with energy as students in Moody College’s Broadcast Capstone class finalize their stories and get ready to go live on Reporting Texas TV. From anchoring and producing to shooting and editing video, Moody students rotate through every role, learning how a real newsroom functions. 

Known as "Dr. Kate" to her students, Kate West’s classes prepare students for the realities of their future careers in broadcast news, whether they hope to sit behind the anchor desk or work behind-the-scenes.  

“The idea is that when you finish this class, you’ve walked in the shoes of everyone in the newsroom,” West, associate professor of instruction in Moody College of Communication’s School of Journalism and Media, said. “You understand how collaborative this work really is.”

West, an Emmy-nominated journalist with 20 years of experience, structures her courses to reflect the pace and pressure of professional television news. From the Broadcast Capstone course that caters to those students who are rounding out their education in journalism, to her Television Reporting course, West’s courses offer valuable hands-on experience. The classes learn separate skills that complement one another, leading to robust Reporting Texas TV newscasts during the given semester.

Students tackle each step of the broadcast process in the Reporting Texas TV studio, a professional set. Students in the Television Reporting class pitch stories a week prior to broadcast, then shoot, write and revise scripts for the Thursday broadcast. On Thursdays, the Broadcast Capstone students put the finishing touches on the newscast before going live on the Reporting Texas TV YouTube channel at 4:30 p.m. 

“The first newscast is usually rough, the second gets better and then it clicks,” West said. “That growth happens fast.”

Starting last fall, students in Television Reporting had the opportunity to see their news packages featured on KXAN+, the digital streaming application for KXAN, Austin’s NBC affiliate station. Each week, their packages are published on the streaming service, available through the website, mobile app and connected TV app.

“UT students bring professionalism, creativity and fresh perspective to our digital content,” Esmeralda Zamora, KXAN+ anchor and digital reporter, said. “It’s exciting to see them take what they learn in class and produce work that can air on a real newsroom platform.”

Zamora said KXAN staff also provide feedback on technical and storytelling quality, helping students refine scripts, video editing and audio mixing to meet professional standards.

“We see a lot of upsides in connecting with students in Moody College of Communication,” Zamora said. “Many of us are lifetime Longhorns who see this as an opportunity to pay it forward. It’s a great way to share content and ideas from campus with our broader audience. We also identify bright students who may stand out among our internship applicants.”

Emily Trevino, a Moody College senior who’s now taking West’s Broadcast Capstone course, said seeing her work on KXAN+ gave her extra motivation.

“It’s really cool knowing people outside of class are watching what we produce,” Trevino said. “It makes you want to do your best and think about how it will look on a real platform.”

The experience allows students to build a portfolio of broadcast-ready work even if they cannot afford an unpaid internship that would otherwise give them the opportunity to showcase their skills to future employers. Packages from class are polished and ready for professional presentation.

“Not every student can afford to intern,” West said. “This class gives them a real way to build a portfolio.”

Students also learn to diversify their skills. Even those hesitant about video or broadcast work are pushed to adapt, reflecting the reality of modern newsrooms.

“There are no ‘just writers’ anymore,” West said. “Employers want people who can do a little bit of everything.”

Trevino says the feedback from KXAN+ staff helped her see her work from a professional perspective.

“I realized there’s a difference between what looks good in class and what’s ready for an actual audience,” Trevino said. “It’s challenging, but it makes you a better storyteller.”

Zamora said she hopes students take advantage of the feedback and publishing opportunities to expand their skills and develop confidence in multimedia storytelling.

“UT students are well-taught in producing broadcast-quality packages for air, but they also benefit from unique opportunities that help them think holistically about reporting.”

By the end of the day, following the Reporting Texas TV and KXAN+ broadcasts, students walk away with more than just bylines – they have clips for their resumes, practical newsroom experience and the confidence that comes from seeing their work in the real world.

“It’s an experience,” West said. “Students make meaningful work, build confidence and leave with something that helps them get hired.”