Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Trippett.
Hannah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I got into journalism my sophomore year of college when I declared my major. I wanted to do something that I loved and I was obsessed with sports. One of my best friends was majoring in broadcast journalism so I decided to combine sports and journalism. From there, I intervened at a couple of stations in Austin, where I was going to school at UT. I interned at ESPN my final semester at college and when I graduated, I went to work at my first TV station in Dothan, Alabama. After my two years contract was up I moved back home and worked part-time at KPRC. Working in Houston for a few months helped me get my next job as a sports reporter in San Antonio working for the local NBC/Fox affiliate. While in SA I was able to cover the Spurs, Cowboys, and all seven games of the 2017 World Series title run by the Astros (still the highlight of my career. After another two years in SA, I decided it was time to move closer to home. I started at working at CW 39 as a traffic/sports anchor in December 2018 and can honestly tell you it’s been the best decision I’ve made in my career. I had no idea how much I would love working in my hometown in front of friends and family.
Has it been a smooth road?
There have definitely been some struggles along the way in my career. When I first moved to Alabama, I went the first ten months without coming home or seeing any of my family members, except for my mom. I also put my job above everything else in my life, I was always willing sacrifice my time if it meant I could advance in my career. Quickly I found out that’s not the best choice to make. In fact, it’s a major part of the reason I moved homes. After six years of being away, I was tired of missing out on birthdays, weddings, baby showers, and holidays with my family and friends. So I found a way that I could have the career I want while also maintaining the important relationships in my life. It’s funny because if you had asked me when I first started back in 2014 where I would be today, my dream job would have been ESPN. Now my dream has completely changed and I am totally fine with that. Some things in life are just more important.
Please tell us about CW 39 Houston.
At CW 39, we have a very unique morning show called Morning Dose. We’re trying to break the mold of a traditional newscast and really play on our personalities. We have a lot of fun, and let me tell you it’s all genuine. So many people will ask if I actually like my co-workers, it’s part of the stigma in the business that TV people don’t get along, but we actually do. My co-workers have become some of my best friends over the last year. I think that’s what sets us apart, really good chemistry.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Of course, any city needs to have a good and trustworthy TV station, but starting out fresh out of college in a market like Houston is something I wouldn’t recommend. Young journalists need to go to what we call “starter markets” and perfect their craft. Make mistakes and learn from them in smaller towns so that you can work your way up to a place like Houston.
Contact Info:
- Website: CW39.com
- Instagram: @Hannah_Trippett
- Facebook: @htrippett
- Twitter: @Hannah_Trippett
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