The San Matean

Issue date: 5/27/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Ricky Light Rose Guilbault

Emmy award-winning media honcho and community member Rose Guilbault captivated a ten-student audience as she shared her experience in the media field with them on Friday, May 2.

With over twenty years of experience in the media industry, both in broadcasting and printed media, Guilbault is the modern-day model of success and the perfect speaker for the Journalism 110 class, "Mass Media in Society."

As a Hispanic female, Guilbault, 57, struggled to break into the broadcasting business in the 1970s. She worked her way up from the bottom rung, as a secretary, to the coveted position of editorial and public affairs director for KGO TV, the San Francisco based ABC affiliate.

In 1978, Guilbault's efforts and dedication were recognized when she was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Children's Specials. Currently, she is the Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Publishing for AAA of Northern California, Nevada and Utah, and publisher of VIA magazine.

"I literally had to work my way up from the bottom," she said.

Guilbault candidly shared her life story with the class, in hopes of enlightening students about her experiences in journalism and provoking them to think about their own plans for the future.

"I think it's important for people who have done the work or come from media backgrounds to come speak about what it's like and share their perspectives, so students know what they're doing," she said. "It's not a fantasy. It's not all glamour. There's work behind it. It helps when people come in and share that."

From an early age, Guilbault knew she was destined for a career in journalism. Though a self-described "mediocre student," she always excelled in writing. The sole female news reporter in her hometown became Guilbault's mentor. It was that mentor who explained to Guilbault that she could make a living off her passion for writing through a career in journalism. In college, surrounded by students with the same aspirations as her, she realized that she was headed into a highly competitive field. At the suggestion of a friend, Guilbault shifted her focus from print to broadcasting.

Throughout her career, Guilbault sought to give a voice to communities which she believed "had no voice." While at KGO TV, Guilbault helped establish "Profiles in Excellence," a series of programs aimed at sharing the stories of such communities.

"I really don't talk to college classes all that often, but I really enjoy it, because it's an opportunity to help them," said Guilbault.

"She wasn't just good. She was adorable," said student Nicole Day, 22.

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