ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Michelle Wilson (Valiquette)

Michelle Wilson (Valiquette) graduated from AU with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Television Broadcast Production and Professional Video.  Michelle is currently the Executive Producer of a nationally syndicated health and fitness show entitled Peter’s Principles with Peter Nielsen.  She is in charge of all aspects of the show’s production from producing, writing, managing crews, contacting sponsors and booking guests.

Name:  Michelle Wilson (Valiquette)

Degree Received upon graduation: Bachelor of Arts in Television Production and Professional Video

Graduation Year: 1992

Current Job: Executive Producer: Peter’s Principles Health and Fitness Show

Brief description of your duties:  I coordinate all aspects of production for a nationally syndicated health and fitness show including producing, writing, managing crews, contacting sponsors and booking guests.

How did AU and the broadcast/journalism department help you receive this job?  Ashland gave me hands on experience that was vital to succeed in the Television business. Through Ashland, I was able to secure an internship in a newsroom and by the end of the internship I was producing their 5pm newscast, all because of the knowledge and experience I learned at Ashland.  That same internship led to a full time news producing job, which lead to a health producer job in a larger market where I met Peter Nielsen and was hired as his Executive Producer.  It all started with knowing what to do in a newsroom from producing, writing, editing, shooting and even running scripts.  When you know the skills, you have the confidence and it can take you anywhere.

What is your favorite aspect of the job?: I am able to reach out and help people all across the country.  There is no greater joy than hearing from someone that you changed their life and in some cases, saved their life.