Brandon Schaff (MSJ21)

Sports Anchor/MSJ at KIII-TV

Tell us about your career path. How did you get where you are today?

After graduating from Northwestern Medill, I moved to Corpus Christi, Texas to become a multi-skilled journalist for KIII-TV. I covered a wide range of news topics daily from 2021 to 2023 and was eventually promoted to sports anchor, which is my current role.

What are your main responsibilities in your current role?

I co-host our weekly Friday night high school football show, which is well-known in this market considering the popularity of Texas high school football. I am the weekend sports anchor, so that is when I cover games and do feature stories about the athletes, coaches and people who represent the community. I still cover news stories on other days during the week that keep our viewers engaged and informed.

How has your Medill training helped you in your career?

Medill was instrumental in developing a strong foundation for my journalism career. While I work in broadcast news, my writing skills were refined at Northwestern and are utilized in multiple aspects of my daily responsibilities. My camera and editing skills were also enhanced thanks to my experience with professors like Craig Duff and Caryn Ward.

How has the Northwestern Medill network helped you advance in your career?

Northwestern Medill’s vast network is something that every student can benefit from during and after graduation. I connected with multiple people in the news industry that are fellow Wildcats and some gave me useful advice as I began my career. Having Northwestern on your resume will certainly draw positive attention as you apply for open positions, too.

How can your industry be more inclusive and representative of society?

By hiring the best people that understand the communities they cover - whether that means they are from those communities or have a desire to learn about them - that way they can cover stories that matter most to the community in a way that positively affects society.

How have your identities influenced the way you navigate your professional career?

As someone who grew up in Chicagoland, moving to Texas was a culture shock. It took some time to adjust, but it eventually became home. I did my best to retain my identity, which was built as someone with strong ties to the Midwest, while embracing the new community I was in. This helped me to become a better journalist as I strived to understand various perspectives different from my own.

What advice do you have for someone considering Medill?

Choosing to become a part of the Northwestern Medill family is exactly that–family. It is one of the best decisions you can make to prepare yourself for a career as a journalist. No matter what you are interested in covering, Medill will build you into a well-rounded reporter. You will join many of the talented storytellers in the news industry that will forever call Northwestern home.