Conversations with the Inspiring Shannon Murray

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Murray.

Shannon, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My love of reporting started as an anchor for Eye of the Panther News at Duncanville High School. My media technology teacher encouraged me to pursue journalism and I followed her advice.

I studied broadcast journalism at The University of Texas at Austin and spent semesters interning with a local news station, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and a production company in Los Angeles. After graduating, I began my first journalism job as a reporter at KOSA-TV in Odessa, TX. I spent a few years in West Texas doing everything — shooting, editing, producing, reporting, and anchoring. I even dabbled as a fill-in host for a morning show on a local radio station.

I soon landed a job back in Austin at KVUE-TV. While in Austin I mostly covered crime and courts, often spending weeks in a courtroom on a high profile trial. After three years, I was offered a job at Fox 4 in Dallas and I made my way back home.

For the last 3.5 years, I’ve worked as a reporter and fill-in anchor for our morning show, Good Day. That means I hit the ground running at 3:30 a.m. reporting the news of the day. Every day is different and that’s what keeps this job interesting!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not always been easy. At the beginning of my career, I didn’t make any money. I struggled to pay bills and questioned if this career was worth it. I’ve worked long days and plenty of weekends and holidays but the hard work eventually paid off.

Over the years, things have not always gone the way I wanted. I’ve felt like a failure when I didn’t get a promotion. I’ve felt my confidence shattered when I compared myself to others who I perceived as more talented or more successful. I’ve questioned if I was good enough or pretty enough. I’ve had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in this career. I’ve learned to embrace my strengths and to celebrate what makes me unique.

My advice? Remember that comparison is the thief of joy. Don’t be generic. Be you, that’s all you can be. And when something doesn’t go your way, be better, not bitter.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
As a reporter, we are required to know a little bit about a lot of things. I have to be able to confidently report information on a variety of topics— weather, crime, politics, entertainment, etc. The assignments that stand out are typically the fun ones. I’ve played catch with pro baseball players on Opening Day, wiped out on a floating obstacle course, rode a roller coaster live on TV, zip-lining, ice skating, rope climbing– you name it, I’ll do it. Over the last year, I’ve also had the opportunity to do quite a few celebrity interviews. I sat down with Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, and Kevin Hart to name a few. My favorites so far have been Steve Carell and the cast of Bohemian Rhapsody. At first, I felt anxiety about interviewing famous people, but I’ve realized the best interviews are still the ones done with people in our community, who bravely share their stories with us in times of tragedy or triumph. We have the opportunity to give a voice to the voiceless and to highlight the good things happening in DFW. I don’t take that for granted.

Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Reach out to the people you admire! Every time a young journalist sends me their work, I am happy to provide a critique and give advice! I remember the journalists who did it for me and I want to pay it forward. If you’re interning somewhere, don’t be afraid to talk to people in the office— make sure they know your name and remember you. And keep in touch when the internship is over.

When it comes to networking, I talk to everyone and I rarely turn down an opportunity to attend an event or get involved with a new project. When you say “yes” to a new experience, the doors just keep opening.

Contact Info:

• Email: shannon.murray@foxtv.com
• Instagram: ShannonJo
• Facebook: Facebook.com/shannonmurrayfox4
• Twitter: ShannonMFox4

Image Credit:
Chelcie Perry (headshot), Shannon Murray (all other photos)

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