By Jackie Clifton
Passionate about journalism, the nationally known television broadcaster Jane Clayson told students to succeed in anything they must be hard workers.
'I still love to connect with someone and I love that people trust me enough to tell me their story,' Clayson said. 'I love to put it together in an emotional way to move people.'
Clayson, who most recently worked for CBS News, was on campus Monday, Feb. 23, as part of Communications Week. She spoke to 40-plus students in the HBLL auditorium and answered questions about her career and views on life.
Sitting at the front of the auditorium, Clayson, dressed in professional businesswoman attire, explained how she stumbled into the business.
'I didn''t go after it,' she said. 'It came to me.'
While attending Brigham Young University, Clayson was introduced to journalism and became intrigued by it. So much so, she quit her music major.
She said music is speaking soul to soul and she has continued to share her musical talents. Because of her career, she has been able to play the violin with Isaac Stern in his New York City penthouse and for VH-1''s Save the Music.
However, not all situations have been pleasant. She has faced depressing situations such as the attacks on Sept. 11, and the sensationalism of journalism.
'Set your standards and moral compass now,' Clayson said. 'So when you get into situations, you can deflect some of that.'
Students who attended the question and answer meeting flooded Clayson afterwards with comments.
'Having a LDS woman make it big and be in the public eye is a great inspiration for me,' said Allison Addis, a freshman aspiring to be in the public eye.
Clayson encouraged students to take advantage of all the opportunities and technical advances BYU provides the students, and to be willing to improve and take feedback whether it be good or bad.
'I think it is a great opportunity for students to come who can reference things with an actual professional,' said Meghan Stettler, a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. 'Someone who has been there and isn''t afraid to give their own opinion.'
Clayson emphasized hard work must be combined with passion to succeed.
'Once you find it, let it use you and you use it for good,' she said.