Pioneer Careers: Logan (Garvey) Hoffman '20 is a Morning Anchor with WABI TV5

Briefly describe your career path since graduation and your current role at WABI TV5.

Graduating at the beginning of the pandemic changed things! I finished a semester early and used that extra time to intern with CNN Underscored and a communication agency. I then earned my M.S. in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from Syracuse University. After graduation, I worked at a nonprofit doing marketing and communications before moving to Maine where I’m a morning anchor at WABI TV 5.

My job starts EARLY! I solo anchor the weekday 4:30 a.m. newscast, and my co-anchor joins me from 5–7 a.m. One day a week, I also report. My degree from Point Park helped me foster connections within the community, which is a big part of my job now.

What do you enjoy about your job?

I love connecting with the community and sharing important information with others. Growing up dancing and doing theatre, I have always loved storytelling. It’s a dream to have a job where I’m fully devoted to that!

How did the business management program prepare you for this role?

Business is the foundation of my role. The skills I gained in Point Park's business management program help me daily when speaking with businesses for stories and building my connections. In the news industry, areas are divided up into what we call markets. Just like sales or marketing, each market has a different audience. My degree helps me understand that at a deeper level.

Every day in this industry is different and I love it! The fun thing is that we are always learning things we didn’t know anything about. The business management program helped me form a baseline understanding of how businesses are managed. This degree has endless opportunities and avenues to explore. I can go into management, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing and sales and so much more.

@pointparku Follow along to see how Logan (Garvey) Hoffman '20, Business Management alum uses what she learned at #PointParkU in her everyday life as a Morning News Anchor with @WABI TV5 in Bangor, Maine! Full story at pointpark.edu ✨ @Logan🤍 #PointParkUniversity #PointParkU #DowntownPittsburgh #BusinessManagement #NewsAnchor ♬ original sound - Point Park University

How did your marketing minor and international business concentration enhance your skillset?

My job wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for engaging with the community because the entire focus of our job is our relationship with the community. It is important to build our social media following to communicate news and messages. My degree from Point Park taught me so much about engaging in community-related activities and events on the station’s behalf.

Which faculty members had a significant impact on you?

Professors Dorene Ciletti and Robert Derda taught me so much about sales and marketing! They both have extensive experience in the field and brought that into the classroom.

Laura Dulaney was a career counselor in the Professional Career-Readiness Center while I attended Point Park. She helped me take my next step from undergraduate to graduate school. In general, the Professional Career-Readiness Center was a tremendous help to me, and I frequented there often!

What are the benefits of Point Park’s downtown location?

The opportunities are endless! Point Park's location in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh gave me access to opportunities I wouldn’t have had anywhere else.

Outside of the classroom, there were so many things to do – discounted Pittsburgh Penguins and Pirates tickets, coffee shops, Stage AE concerts and more. It was a great place to begin adulthood in the beautiful city of Pittsburgh.

You participated in sales competitions during your time at Point Park. What impact did those experiences have on you?

The RNMKRS Sales Competition helped me grasp the five core selling steps. I ranked in the top 10 students in the northeast in the fall 2020 competition. I can take those steps with me when pitching or telling a story or understanding how people grasp concepts. On live television, a lot can happen, and there is always breaking news. Delivering information in a way people understand is crucial, so competitions like these were very beneficial.

How did your campus involvement benefit your college experience? 

Being involved with clubs and groups on campus helped solidify what I learned in the classroom. It helped me grow as a professional and individual because I made friends in those groups with similar interests and even became roommates with them. Some of them are now lifelong friends of mine. It also helped me apply what I was learning and grow further in my skills.

Why would you recommend Point Park to a prospective student?

Point Park is the perfect location! I truly felt like I was part of the Pittsburgh community. I could walk to Market Square and stumble upon a festival, concert or other special events. Ice skating at PPG Place in the wintertime is so close to campus. There are endless coffee shops to keep caffeinated while studying, and the Strip District is nearby with restaurants and shopping. My time at Point Park was priceless!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Try that club you've been curious about, or check out an event on campus. You never know who you’ll meet or what it will teach you. My interest in social media grew because of my involvement outside of the classroom. You never know if that club or internship will spark your interest in doing something related to it full-time!

Connect with Logan Hoffman '20

More About: business management, Campus Activities Board, Rowland School of Business, Pioneer Careers, alumni, faculty, marketing and sales, success story, Strong Women Strong Girls, Downtown Pittsburgh, The Globe, Pittsburgh Penguins, Stage AE, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Pirates