Heather Berzak ’20 – From Montclair to the Frontlines: A Journey in Journalism and Justice

Heather Berzak ’20 is a rising star in journalism and criminal justice. With a passion for storytelling ignited at a young age, “I was first inspired to get into journalism from watching Good Morning America when I was really young…I took a fascination with true crime cases also from a really young age, specifically the ability to piece together mysteries to hopefully help bring closure to others.” Berzak began a career that led her to become a line producer at Law & Crime, where she oversees live coverage of murder cases around the country. “So, I put together a 2 to 3 hour show rundown several days a week, get in the control room, and tell the host and technical director where to go next in the program.”

Berzak’s career began at Montclair, specifically through her work with The Montclarion, the university’s student-run newspaper. Berzak recognizes The Montclarion’s critical role in getting her internships and linking her with mentors such as Professor Tara George who currently serves as the Head of Journalism and Television/Digital Media at Montclair. She emphasizes The Montclarion. “If I didn’t have my experience at the newspaper, I probably wouldn’t have had as good of a shot at getting the internships. The Montclarion brought me closer to Professor George who recommended I apply to the first internship I secured with FOX News Channel- and it was history from there.” Heather also took advantage of the University-wide career fair and spoke with a representative from WABC-TV which is how she secured her second internship. “I spoke to a representative that was at the career fair, handed them my résumé, and then had to go through a phone screening and in-person interview at the studio in New York.”

Reflecting on her prominent internship roles, Berzak explains, “At Fox News Channel I worked with the entertainment team, which was totally different from working with the investigative unit at WABC-TV. Getting to see how chaotic things can be in a split second gets you prepared for when you, yourself are on the front lines dealing with breaking news.”

Berzak learned the skills she needed for her broadcast career through courses such as Multimedia News Production and Montclair News Lab. “At my current job, I use Adobe Premiere to edit video, and that was what we used at school. Also, being held on deadlines definitely helped, because those deadlines become 20x tighter in the news world.” The strict timelines and exposure to multimedia tools offered by these classes were beneficial in her career development.

Berzak offers advice to current students who want to achieve success in their fields. She emphasizes the importance of being receptive to criticism, “Getting critiques and going through rounds of edits are standard in television – so the more receptive you are to criticism now, the easier it’ll be in your career.” She also recommends that students seek out high-pressure circumstances for growth so, in the future, students can flourish in the face of adversity. Berzak says, “Don’t give up! It’s really easy to become discouraged and lose hope in media’s super competitive climate, but being told “no” brings you one step closer to being told “yes” to an opportunity that is meant for you.” She also urges students to seek the advice and assistance of professors, acknowledging their vital role in creating future success.

Heather Berzak ’20 exemplifies Montclair’s commitment to excellence and perseverance. As she continues to build a name for herself in the fields of media and criminal justice, her story serves as an example to aspiring professionals worldwide. She writes, “Our stories are powerful and if used correctly can help connect anything and anyone in this world.”

Written By Ashley Rodriguez