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Rosie Langello

Rosie Langello (MSJ17)

Sports Director at WSFA 12 News

Daniel Grimes

Rosie Langello (MSJ17) landed one of her first reporting jobs only a week after graduating from Medill. It didn’t take long for her to gain traction in the journalism field--she’s now busy covering sports for a Nexstar station in Altoona, Pennsylvania. She credits her Medill experience for preparing her for a professional newsroom--from knowing how to cover a beat to gaining muscle carrying camera equipment. 

Tell us about your career path. 

A week after I graduated Medill, I started as a weekend news producer at WBRE/WYOU-TV in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. After six months, I was promoted to Digital Media Manager. I spent one year at WBRE/WYOU before landing a sports reporter position at WTAJ-TV in Altoona, Pennsylvania. I now work as sports director at WSFA 12 News. 

What are your main responsibilities? 

I cover a wide range of professional, college and high school sports in New England. Our team covers the New England Patriots extensively during the season and provides content for New England Nation Game Day, a show that airs before the patriots play.

I also work on a 15-minute nightly sports show called The Sports Wrap. Additionally, our team covers the Celtis, Bruins and Red Sox.

How has your Medill training helped you in your job and career? 

The Medill training helped me in a number of ways. First, the training taught me how to cover a beat. I covered a Chicago high school basketball beat on the West Side at Schurz High School. It was SO much fun. I cover a lot of high school sports now so the training helped me ease into the high school beat in Altoona. As silly as it sounds, the Medill training also helped me prepare to be a multimedia journalist. The equipment is so heavy, especially for a little person like me. It wasn't a surprise when I got to my job in Altoona that I would have to do everything and CARRY everything myself. I feel a lot stronger physically!   

One other big lesson Medill taught me was always do your due diligence and be observant. For example, one of our high school football teams won a big game against one of the best teams in the league. As soon as the game was over, the coach had the team kneel around him as he made a phone call. I stood near the group and realized they were talking to someone and everyone looked very emotional. I had to interview the team right after this and when I started to ask questions about the game, I noticed the quarterback had tears in his eyes, I asked why he was so emotional and he shared with me that one of the players had a mini stroke earlier in the week. The team dedicated the game to the player who was in the hospital and that's who the team was on the phone with.  

What is a Medill class or experience that sticks out in your mind and why? 

A class that sticks out to me was faculty member Melissa Isaacson's writing and reporting class in the first quarter. I had such a wonderful time in that class. Missy is an incredible professor and I'm beyond lucky I was one of the many students that got to learn from her. She also tells the best stories and to this day I still think about how much they made me laugh.  

What advice do you have for someone considering Medill? 

If you're considering Medill, you're on the right track. Not only do you get the best training, you make lifelong friendships and connections.