'Come to Me and You're Hired'

When I think about USC, I think about those who impressed me and motivated and inspired me. Names like Kenneth Owler Smith come to mind, and Claire Spiegel, who was a noted investigative reporter for the Los Angeles Times. She taught an investigative journalism class and taught me how to really think in journalistic terms. And then there was Pete Noyes. He was a professor. And for those of you that know the Mary Tyler Moore Show’s Lou Grant character, legend has it that Pete Noyes was the inspiration for that character. In other words, he scared the hell out of all of us— this rather gruff character who still had that twinkle in his eye. After my first newswriting class, I went up to him and said, “I’m going to get an A in your class.” He looked at me with those piercing eyes and said, “You’re going to have to work for it.” I did the work, because he impressed me and inspired me so much. This was one of the most pivotal connections I made with a teacher, because he was a working professional at KNBC in Los Angeles, and I then got an internship through his good graces and went on to get a paying job afterwards. Whenever I give a speech and have someone to thank, it is largely Pete Noyes. I tell aspiring journalists that regardless of the technical skills that you will get in this building — and you most assuredly will get them here — you must always learn to write. And write well. It is the basis of everything in journalism and communications. I was fortunate enough this summer to take a hardhat tour of Wallis Annenberg Hall. I literally bounced over to Dean Wilson’s office afterwards. I said, “I cannot believe this place. I’m dying to go back to school!” I am responsible for hiring interns for my broadcast. I’m 100% confident that the students here are being educated within the premier facility in this country. There is nothing like it anywhere. USC students are going to come out of this place and not only be competitive with those who are also applying for your jobs, but stand heads and shoulders above the rest of them. I need some company in New York. I’m telling you something: Come to me and you’re hired. That’s it. After this, let’s get the program going and bring you to 30 Rock and midtown Manhattan. — Alex Witt is an MSNBC anchor and USC Annenberg alumna. Text adaopted from her Grand Opening remarks.