Michele Lomax
Editor
Besides having a career as an entertainment reporter you also have a marketing background. Explain what inspired you to pursue journalism full-time versus traditional Corporate America.
Well, I graduated from Georgetown with a Business degree and I worked the traditional corporate America jobs and I really felt like I wanted to do something away from just sitting at a desk all day. One thing that really stood out to me while I was in college is when 911 happened. I could see the Pentagon on fire from where our dorms were, and I could see the smoke. And that was such a scary day, we were all glued to our television sets with the coverage of the news, and at that moment, I knew the power of visual storytelling. And I really, really came to know the power of journalism so, it was in the back of my mind the whole time, but I really didn't know that's what I wanted to do and until I figured out what I didn't want to do.
Chicago is your hometown, but you initially got your start in other markets. Describe the challenges you faced when trying to land an opportunity in news and entertainment in the Windy City.
Oh man, well, I'm so lucky to be from Chicago. But at the same time, Chicago is market number three, the third largest city in the country, and people work their whole lives to get to Chicago. And then when they get here, they stay because it's a gorgeous, beautiful city. It was a challenge but I worked my way up and as hard as it was to start in a small market,