It's Nice to Know She's Back

Like much of the Capital Region I was shocked, upset and disgruntled when WNYT let top-rated news anchor Lydia Kulbida go in December. Perhaps even more so as a student journalist on the brink of becoming a real journalist and entering the real world--and because I'd grown up with her, Benita Zahn, Jim Kambrich and the rest of the Channel 13 family. They played a part in my decision to pursue this cutthroat, evolving and currently struggling field.

Kulbida's departure put a damper on my dreams. Graduating early in May, I've been stressed about finding a job. With top journalists being shown the door I feel I have little hope of doing anything close to my passion: writing. All I want to do is write and if I can't write, I just want to be around media; it's where I'm comfortable.

The fact that one of the area's top-rated anchors (admired not only as a journalist but for her actions in the community) was facing the job-cut reality herself, was frightening. I was distressed because I didn't know what she was going to do. Would she move? Would she ever be back on air? Would she take up a different career path? I know that if I can't imagine doing anything but journalism and haven't even dipped my toes in yet, she must feel even more strongly.

Well not to fear, I should have known it wasn't in her nature to give up the fight. I'm pleased and relieved to report that my girl is back and doing 8million things...ok, maybe just five but it's a lot.

I just discovered Kulbida has a Times Union blog, "La Vida Kulbida" where, "From your television screen to your computer screen, Lydia Kulbida writes about media and more. The former anchor is now juggling grad school, freelancing for WAMC, starting a business, raising a family and it's all in one blog." I'm pretty excited; a bit too excited probably. So far, she's got three blog entries posted and if you comment she's great about replying.

I have a little of my spirit back. If she can revamp her life by going back to school, starting a business (I'm interested to see what this is), blogging (about a subject my favorite professor Howie endlessly discusses), freelancing AND raise a family, I think I'll be alright. If there's anything I've learned from her situation, now that my anger has dimmed, it's that as journalists we've entered a tough field but there's endless opportunity. (Again, I should have listened to my mother sooner, she's always saying that.)

Thanks for continuing to give me someone to emulate and something to work towards!