#PittsburghMe: Meet School of Communication Student Marlee Pinchok

Meet Marlee Pinchok

Major/Program: Broadcast Reporting
Minor: Broadcast production and media management
Graduation: April 2021
Scholarships: Merit Scholarship
Hometown: Lower Burrell, Pa.
High School: Burrell High School
Dream Job: Anchor, Good Morning America

"I chose Point Park because from the moment I started looking at this school, I knew it would provide me with exceptional hands-on experience both inside and outside of the classroom."

Marlee Pinchok

Why did you choose Point Park University?

As an ambitious individual, I am always looking for new experiences and challenges to succeed in my career field. I chose Point Park because from the moment I started looking at this school, I knew it would provide me with exceptional hands-on experience both inside and outside of the classroom. Currently, I host and produce my own television show Entertainment on Point on our student-run television channel, U-View, and I absolutely love getting to hone my on-air, writing and production skills at a station that provides a real-world newsroom environment. In addition, I've had a variety of opportunities to build my broadcasting skills, including writing articles for WPXI.com during the 2018 midterm elections and videography work for NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania and Jackson/Clark Partners.

What factors influenced your decision to pursue broadcasting?

My passion for storytelling has influenced my decision to pursue broadcasting. I find gratification in being able to give people a voice and tell their stories in a creative and empowering way. I also was involved with my high school’s morning announcements, and what started off as something to do with my friends turned into a real passion.

Tell us about your internship with WSAZ-TV.

I am forever thankful for this internship because it gave me clarity that broadcast reporting is the field that I am meant to pursue. This was definitely an internship where you got out whatever you put in and, as a natural go-getter, I made sure to get every ounce of experience that I could. My day-to-day tasks included assisting in interviewing and shooting video while on stories, editing and writing voice-overs for producers, pitching story ideas in morning meetings, writing teases and stories for producers, as well as taking notes on court hearings and breaking news events for reporters and producers. They even wanted to hire me on as a reporter!

Who is your role model in the broadcasting industry?

My role model in the broadcasting industry is KDKA's Kristine Sorensen, and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to have worked as a co-producer for her Kidsburgh Kidcast last year! Kristine and I have developed a wonderful professional relationship and she continues to inspire me every day.

What do you consider a dorm essential?

A Keurig and an air purifier are my two dorm essentials! The purifier sucks up all the dust and impurities in the air, which provides me with a clean head space that is essential for those stressful nights. As for my Keurig, I use it every day! It is so convenient to get my cup of coffee in seconds before heading out to class in the morning or before a long night of working on assignments.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

My advice for incoming students would be to keep working hard, even when you reach stressful points in the semester. I quickly learned from my freshman year that if you put in the intense dedication, passion and hard work for the career goals you want to achieve, you will earn recognition and opportunities.

Text and photo by Rhianna Davis, senior business management major

#PittsburghMe: Meet School of Communication Student Marlee Pinchok Student Profile