For most college students, working at a major television station is a post-graduation goal. For Jamie Garber ’26, it’s already part of her weekly routine.
A School of Film, Television, and Media Arts major, Garber freelances as a studio technician for WFXT Boston 25.
“I’m the youngest one in the office,” she said. “They don’t normally hire someone in college, but they gave me a chance.”
That chance was years in the making. A Chelmsford, MA native, Garber first connected with the station during her senior year of high school after messaging a local contact to ask about shadowing. What began as a single day of observation turned into years of persistence—keeping in touch, interning, returning for “networking days,” and learning the rhythms of a newsroom studio.
After multiple interviews, she officially joined the station as a freelancer about a year ago.
At Boston 25, Garber fills a wide range of roles essential to live broadcasts. On any given shift, she might operate the teleprompter, manage the studio floor and direct on-air talent, assist with audio engineering, or run a jib camera. “I fill any role needed for the broadcasts,” she said.
Last summer, she worked full-time—often taking on demanding overnight or early morning shifts. During the academic year, she balances classes with one or two 10-hour shifts a month, sometimes staying as late as 2 a.m.
That balancing act extends across campus as well. Garber is deeply involved in student productions—she’s the director of Good Morning Emerson and serves as a tech producer for the EVVY Awards. She’s also worked extensively with the Emerson Channel and campus studios, building a wide-ranging technical skill set.
“Emerson has so many resources,” she said. “You’re working on some aspect of a production all day.”
Drawn to the technical side of storytelling, Garber hopes to pursue a career in broadcast engineering or live production. Her current role already reflects that ambition, offering experience that many people don’t gain until years later.
Between late-night shifts, leadership roles, and classes, her schedule can be intense. Asked if she ever sleeps, Garber laughed, “Yeah—sometimes.”
For now, at Emerson and in the control room of a major Boston newsroom, she’s focused on making the most of every opportunity.