January 10, 2012

Cool Job: TV producer Eric Riddle

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Television segment producer Eric Riddle (right) covers J.P. Patches’ statue dedication in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood. (Courtesy of Eric Riddle)

What do you do? I’m a segment producer for KING-TV’s "Evening Magazine." My job is to find and write compelling stories for our 30-minute weeknight show. I basically do everything a reporter does but I’m not on camera so I don’t have to worry about my hair.

What's a typical day like? That’s the best part: there is no typical day. When I’m not at the station, I might be on a boat doing a story on paddleboard yoga, or in an operating room covering a surgery, or in L.A. interviewing an actor about his or her latest film. Not every day is good, but it’s never boring.

How does someone get a job like yours? A bachelor's degree is a must now, preferably in television production or communications. Internships are also a great way to learn the ropes and start networking. In the beginning, take any job you can, learn as many things as you can, because all you take in will benefit your work.

What's the best part of the job? I love meeting people and sharing their stories. You also get to go places and do things most people never do. You really do get a backstage pass to life.

What surprises people about your job? People think that because you work in “TV,” you make a lot of money. This is not a position that makes you rich. The real rewards come in the experiences you have and the stories you create.

--NWjobs staff

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Cool Jobs, career profile, quirky jobs

1 Comments

Michael Harris on January 16, 2012 7:56 AM | Reply

Eric Riddle is a treasure, as are many of the wonderful producers, photojournalists and editors working on KING TV's Evening Magazine. To add to the photo caption -- Eric also worked with the Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Science (NATAS, the Emmy people) to raise the funds to honor Chris Wedes -- J.P. Patches -- with that bronze statue in Fremont. Despite the problems with the TV industry these days, Eric is proof that it's still possible for cool people to carve out cool jobs. Congrats!

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