Kate Hampson ’00 got to live the dream of so many women, when, while working in London’s NBC bureau, she was sent to interview George Clooney at his villa on Lake Como, Italy.

“I produced the shoot and conducted the interview, all the while trying to appear as if interviewing a major movie star in his Italian villa was just a normal day's work,” says Hampson, an associate producer for Dateline NBC and NBC News Productions.

Hampson is the keynote speaker April 14 at the eighth annual College Press Day. Other speakers include two Washington Post photographers and WBAL-TV reporter John Sherman. The all-day gathering of professional and student journalists from nine colleges features a series of workshops and panel discussions on topics ranging from newspaper design to ethical decisions faced by student newspapers.

“Contact between professional journalists and student journalists is fairly limited, so here’s a relaxed setting where they can listen, ask questions and learn from each other,” says English Professor Terry Dalton, who organizes the event each year with help from McDaniel’s chapter of the Society for Collegiate Journalists, which sponsors the event.

As an associate producer, Hampson is responsible for all aspects of story production, from researching and booking guests to conducting interviews, shooting footage and writing scripts. Lessons learned at McDaniel help on a daily basis, she says. While at the College, she was an English and French double major and editor of the student newspaper.

“The broad base of knowledge that my education gave me has helped immensely when I find myself reporting on a topic I initially know little about,“ says Hampson. “My work on the college newspaper was invaluable as it taught me not only how to report a story, but the value of persistence in tracking down news. I learned how to work on a deadline and developed leadership and teamwork abilities.”

Although she always wanted to be a journalist, it wasn’t until Hampson edited the student newspaper that she saw how stories and pictures work together. That’s when she decided to dip her toe in the more visual medium of television.

During College Press Day, Hampson will advise students who are about to launch careers in journalism. There’s one word she uses over and over – internships. Hampson herself spent significant time answering phones and fetching coffee, but insists it’s the best way to get your foot in the door.

Her blossoming career is proof positive.

Hampson is currently working on a documentary series on the modeling industry to air April 15 on MSNBC.

To learn more about College Press Day, contact English Professor Terry Dalton at tdalton@mcdaniel.edu or 410-857-2424.