Meet Steve Weiss of Colorada State University (CSU) Journalism and Media Communication Department

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Weiss.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Steve. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was a graduate of Colorado State University and pursued a career in television journalism as a reporter and anchor at stations in Pocatello, Idaho, Shreveport, Louisiana, Las Vegas and finally returning to Colorado at KWGN-TV in Denver. A few years later I left Channel 2 News to start a video production company with a friend from Channel 4, KCNC-TV. We produced off road racing (Baja 1000) shows for ESPN and other sports networks and also produced corporate videos for Ford, Coors, Campbell Soups, IBM and many other large and small companies.

While living and working in the Denver area, I became an adjunct instructor for CSU’s Journalism and Media Communication department. In 2010, after I moved closer to Fort Collins, I became a fulltime instructor in the department teaching courses in video production and journalism.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would describe my career path as one of flexibility and adaptability. Although, I enjoyed nearly every day of my career…I also enjoyed the evolution process. From television news junkie, to corporate producer where I was able to utilize more of the creative aspects of my toolbox…and then finally to teaching. Each time I made a change it invigorated me. Particularly my final move to fulltime instructor at CSU. After a 20+ year career in corporate production, moving to the classroom with enthusiastic young students who are just embarking in their careers…. seems like a privilege and definitely a pleasure to be an influence in their journey. I remember what it felt like when I was chasing my dream and first job and I have great satisfaction when I watch them start down that same path.

Looking back, I never considered myself the 40 year at one job and then retire comfortably sort of guy. I loved the excitement of being an entrepreneur and the constant change of facing new challenges.

Colorada State University (CSU) Journalism and Media Communication Department – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I teach multiple classes at CSU: writing, live video production, corporate video production, drones and video field production. I have tremendous respect for what our Journalism and Media Communication department has been doing over the past 10 years. We have evolved with the changing of times and shrinking of some aspects of traditional journalism…by expanding in other areas. In addition to teaching basic journalism our students are exposed to public relations, marketing, web design and so many other areas of growing opportunity. Other journalism departments have not been so quick and nimble to make these transitions and it shows in our outstanding number of graduates who find jobs. I am proud of our ability to provide them with the right amount of theory…but to also focus on the practical skills that make them employable today. Internships, alumni contacts and guest speakers who are in the field help our students find the start they are seeking.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
That is a tough question because when you have been around as long as I have and had as much luck as I have…you are able to rack up quite a few awards that recognize your work. And I continue to enter media competitions even today because I want to make sure my work continues to improve. So, every new award is indeed satisfying. Appearing on national TV multiple times in news and sports programs has also been a thrill. But nothing makes me more proud than what I am about to do right after I finish this interview. I will sit down and review a former student’s resume and work samples as he prepares to try and find a TV sports job in a larger market. It makes me proud to know that students I taught 6-10 years ago stay in touch and still want my input and feedback on their work and their potential job opportunities. Nothing else can possibly please me more.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://journalism.colostate.edu/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/csu_jmc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CSUJournalism/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/csu_jmc

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