Today we’d like to introduce you to Karina Yapor.
Karina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In 2007, I began my journey as a journalist. My first official position was that of Producer for channel 48 in El Paso, TX. There I worked until 2014 where for seven years I experienced growth both professionally and personally as I took on various roles. My first position was that of Producer in charge of the magazine show, later I was named news producer and finally I became a multimedia Journalist. As a multimedia journalist the responsibilities were many as I had to record, write, produce, and edit stories on my own. That gave me the opportunity to dominate multiple areas of my career path and increased my confidence. What many could consider as demoralizing, having to do everything on your own, for me was a once in a lifetime opportunity to get better.
In November of 2014 I hit a career milestone when I was hired by Univision Dallas to be the News Anchor of the Morning Newscast. And not long after I was transferred to Univision Houston to become part of the state wide newscast, “Noticias Texas Primera Edición” which for four years aired for the most important markets in Texas: Houston, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio. During such years I was granted the opportunity to inform our community of diverse high impact moments that marked our city such as hurricane Harvey, leading to my first Lone Star Emmy nomination for Best News Anchor in Texas.
A year ago, a show specifically aimed at houstonians became part of Univision Houston: “Noticias 45 Primera hora”. And with just months from debuting it was nominated to the Lone Star Emmy for the best Morning Show In the state.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road has been a tough one both professionally and personally but it’s been worth it. Professionally, arriving in America at a very young age and immediately having to hit the ground running seeking that open door was a challenge. It took me two years to find that first opportunity and begin my first ever formal job as a journalist. Sometimes, the unexpected things in life seem to bring you to a dead end, but for me, they lead me to a beginning of something better. I married at a very young age and had a total of five kids one of which would be diagnosed with autism 18 months after birth. Furthermore a few years later I went through a long and weary divorce process.
At that moment I felt hopeless and I truly thought I would never get back up. However, these last couple of years have been the best of my life. God has led me and my children towards a better future, that has seen an unbelievable amount of growth from my part and my family as well. It is here where I realize that all of the tears and adversity have been worth it. I know that I am very blessed and fortunate as I get to do for a living what I am most passionate for: Serving and informing my community.
Please tell us about your work.
Since 2015 I am the News Anchor of Univision’s morning newscast. I am live Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 am to provide our community with the most important news and issues that could potentially affect their day, families, health and their life in general. My schedule is quite a tough one as I begin my shift at 1 am. Before going live, I write my scripts and prepare for the broadcast. As of today, we have been airing the show from our living space due to the pandemic we’ve all been affected by. My engagement with our community goes well beyond the tv screen as I enjoy making small videos for social media where my focus is to encourage, teach and connect.
As a single mother with five kids and as a professional latina I embrace the compromise that helping other women succeed entails. By sharing my experiences, I can be that spark that maybe they needed to overcome adversity. I want them to know that if I could do it, so could they.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
We will continue to adjust to the never-ending technology advancements. Regardless of the medium, the reality is that information will always be essential to any community. And for as long as the people continue to trust my work I will be there. Having a positive impact on other women is a true blessing for me. I have been privileged to be in the position where I am today. It has opened doors that I never Imagined would be open, such as having the opportunity to share my story with many women through various conferences I have been a part of. I believe this to be my mission, my calling, and I believe this is an aspect of my life that will develop furthermore in the coming years.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @KarinaYapor
- Twitter: @KarinaYapor
- YouTube/ FB: @KarinaYaporOficial
Image Credit:
Picture credits Instagram @0ldTable
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