Rebecca Haggerty

Ms. Haggerty began her career writing and editing documentaries for public and cable television, and then moved to NBC News, where she spent ten years as a producer for Dateline NBC. In that time, she produced specials, breaking news, and long-form stories. Her work at NBC was recognized with several journalism awards, including a national Emmy. She served as a Knight International Press Fellow in Eastern and Central Europe, teaching journalism in Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania. She is a graduate of the Columbia University School of Journalism, where she was honored as the outstanding student in the Mid-Career Master’s Program. She has been a guest lecturer at the South Pacific Photo Workshop in Dumaguete, Philippines and at Poynter Institute's Teachapalooza conference. In 2007, Ms. Haggerty joined the international news program Worldfocus, produced by public television station WNYC, and later became its senior web producer. She also consulted on Manhattan hyperlocal news site DNAinfo.com, named one of the six hottest journalism startups of 2009. After moving to Los Angeles in 2010, Ms. Haggerty became part of the award-winning public television newsmagazine SoCal Connected, which won two Emmys for best public information programming during the time she served as co-executive producer. In 2014, she earned a doctorate in education from USC’s Rossier School. Her dissertation, a qualitative study of international science fair participants, focused on learning outside of the classroom, creativity, and gender.

She lives in Santa Monica with her husband and two children.

What inspired you to start a career in Journalism? 

 I am nosy and like to ask people questions. 

What were some of the challenges in pursuing a Journalism career? 

I’ve always had a hard time only doing one thing… so I solved that by doing many different things!

Were there any additional challenges as a woman in the field?

I think women are conditioned to doubt themselves more. I strive to be as self-confident as a (male) tenured professor!

Can you describe what the experience was like to win an Emmy award?

Working in TV is a team effort… so I am grateful for the great people I worked with in my career.

How has technology changed the journalism field?

We used to tell the audience what we thought… now it’s much easier for the audience to tell “us” what “they” think. Overall, that’s a good thing. 

You had lived and worked on both the east and west coasts, why did you move? How does the industry differ in these major markets? 

I moved because of my spouse’s job, but I have grown to love Los Angeles. People in New York feel they are at the center of the media industry. It’s interesting to be on the west coast and have a different perspective.

Considering your past experience working in multiple markets, companies, and various types of journalism, would you go back and do anything differently?

I learned from everything I did in my career. I wouldn’t do it differently!

Do you have any advice for a young person who is considering a major or career in journalism?

Curiosity will get you through most challenges. It’s the one thing you can’t fake!

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Don’t forget to learn how to write well. It will help you stand out!

Jessica Doherty, a student and journalism/theatre major shared: 

“Professor Haggerty has been such a warm and helpful presence in the media center these past few years! And the journalism program overall has taught me so many different multimedia skills that have helped me become a better storyteller and multimedia content creator. Working for Annenberg Media has also provided me with so much real reporting experience that I feel will be instrumental in my success outside of school.”

Professor Haggerty was kind enough to take the time out of her busy schedule to meet with me and tour the USC Annenberg Media Center with Jessica Doherty, a USC Annenberg student who was enthusiastic and incredibly welcoming. I cannot thank both of them enough.

All art/photos belong to Rebecca Haggerty and Jessica Doherty and are used with their permission.