Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlene Guzman.
Marlene, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Today, I write to you as a 7-time nominated Lone Star Emmy Award journalist, and Univison 45 Houston’s Weekend News Anchor and Reporter. However, my journey as a journalist leading up to the job of my dreams has been nothing shy of adventure, learning, and self-growth. There is a famous saying by author Mark Twain that says that “the secret to getting ahead is getting started”. And, that is exactly what I wanted to do before even graduating college: just start!
In 2013, as a senior at the University of Houston’s communication college, I started to knock on doors hoping that, on the other side, opportunity would answer. Let’s just say that I knocked really hard on the same door at first. Azteca America Houston, a local Spanish news channel, was one of my first attempts at securing a job. However, job openings and internships were not available but I persisted and left my name, number, and information for the near future. Surprisingly, just a few short hours later I received a phone call from the station with an internship opportunity. This marked the start of my career.
This first internship was local to Houston, and lead to a job for the regional Texas market, which eventually lead to a broadcast position at the National level. While holding my job at ‘Azteca America’, I crossed paths with a popular on-air personality who invited me to audition for the well-known Spanish radio station, ‘FM Mega 101’. I was flattered and very excited, however I never thought of myself as having that sought after “radio voice”. Long story short, I auditioned and landed the part-time on-air personality position. I simultaneously held my TV and radio jobs for a full year in 2015 until the next adventure knocked on my door this time around.
Fast forward to 2016, I found myself living on the Texas border after accepting a Producer/Anchor position with FOX/Univision Laredo. This was a trying time in my career as I was far from my home city of Houston, my family, and friends. It also did not help that Laredo had zero taco trucks in sight, and never completely fulfilled the comfort of home. After 8 months, a new opportunity came about in Houston, and I was ecstatic! I was able to venture back home to start as an Associate Producer at Univision 45 Houston which progressed into my dream job that I currently hold.
Has it been a smooth road?
I believe that there is no road to authentic success that is ever smooth. I do believe that this road’s imperfections are paved by trials, lessons, and experiences that can only make its construction that much stronger.
Personally, some of my life’s toughest trials started at a young age. I was born in the United States, and at the age of five my parents relocated to Mexico, which is my mother’s nationality. Years later my parents divorced, and I moved to the Texas as a teenager. Beside the family hardships I now found myself in a new place, one whose language I never fully developed. However, I was eager and determined to fully learn English and adapt to what felt like a new country to me.
Professionally, my biggest challenge was working for FOX/Univision Laredo since the reporting was all in English, which is my second language. Although I am fluently bilingual, there is a nostalgia and comfort in getting the opportunity to be a Spanish-speaking journalist, which is what I do now. I much prefer it!
Also, professionally, although I was excited to move from Laredo to Houston this was also another challenge as I started in a lower position: from anchor to associate producer. In hindsight, it was a sort of springboard for my career but it did take humility and flexibility to start again. This gave me knowledge, and progressively prepared me for the position that I currently hold.
Univision Houston what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m known as a versatile journalist, I have the skills of a producer, anchor and reporter. Currently, as the weekend news anchor and weekday reporter for Univision Houston, I get to cover a wide range of stories. I have extensively reported on Hurricane Harvey, Mexico’s major earthquake (2017), the historic passing of our former First Lady Barbara Bush, and also President George W. Bush Sr., the Astros MLB Championship as some examples. In addition, I have covered stories on Breaking News, immigration, elections, health and, education.
Through my job I also enjoy attending career days inspiring students by sharing my journey and volunteering for communities in need. I want my audience to know me as passionate, professional, dedicated, and a fearless bilingual journalist in the Houston area.
What sets me apart is that my heart thrives on featuring stories that concern and benefit my Hispanic community as I feel that I am making a contribution with the information that I can provide. It is about being this community’s voice: helping them stay informed, safe, alert to becoming a victim in different scenarios, and ultimately setting them up with information for success.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
It’s definitely transitioning more towards digital. As journalist we must continue reinventing ourselves and adjusting to the needs of our audience. Acquire new skills and adjust to new technology.
Contact Info:
- Email: marleneguz2019@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marleneguzmantv/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marleneguzmantv
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/marleneguzmantv
Image Credit:
Donald Valdez Photography
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