Washington D.C. PR Professional credits Ohio University and WOUB experience for launching her career

When Tammie Imel came to Athens from Ada, Ohio in 2003, she knew she was attending one of the best journalism schools in the country at Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. What she didn’t know at the time was that she would also have the opportunity to work at a professional radio and television station, WOUB Public Media, and gain hands-on experience that would help launch her television news career.

“Our professors told us about the opportunities available for students at WOUB in class,” said Imel. “After hearing that I could work as a student at a PBS and NPR member station, I went over to WOUB and started volunteering right away.”

During her time at WOUB, Imel ended up reporting for both TV and radio and then producing and anchoring WOUB television’s nightly news program, NewsWatch.

“When I graduated in 2007, it really put me a step ahead of other students who were entering the workforce. That hands-on experience is something I hold near and dear to my heart. I’m so glad I got involved at WOUB.”

Imel’s first job in television news after graduation was as a writer and editor at WPTA in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She then moved on to a writer/producer position at WINK in Fort Myers, Florida, a producing job at WOIO in Cleveland and finally a producer/writer position at WTTG in Washington D.C.

“The final three years I worked there, I worked overnights producing the morning show.”

Some of her career highlights in Washington D.C. included field producing for President Trump’s 2017 Inauguration and field producing from the Capitol Rotunda for former President Obama’s State of The Union Address.

While she loved what she did, Imel wanted to find a job that had a “normal” schedule. So, she decided to leave TV news and move into public relations. Imel went to work first as a senior account executive at Strauss Media Strategies and was recently hired at 4Media Group in a similar role.

“It’s a great fit for me because of my experience in TV news,” said Imel. “I’m fully focused on media relations by booking TV and radio interviews for clients. Having been a journalist in television and radio gives you a leg up. You understand how a newsroom operates and what journalist are looking for.”

Imel says she still uses the things she learned as a student at WOUB today and thinks back on the time she spent in the WOUB newsroom fondly.

“When I tell people about it, they can’t believe I did all of that while I was a student in college,” said Imel. “It’s awesome that Ohio University students are able to be a part of something so special at WOUB.”

For more information about WOUB, visit woub.org.