Cristina Zambrano
Women in the Workplace
By Kasia Fejklowicz
Women have choices and whether they choose to be full-time moms or full-time employees is their decision. For 14 years, Cristina Zambrano, news desk assistant and field producer at ABC 7 News, has been juggling both jobs. Even with three small children, Zambrano manages to work from 2 to 10 p.m. and still has time to attend her daughter’s after school activities.
“One of the kindergarten teachers didn’t know I had a job until recently,” said Zambrano. “She said ‘Wow, you’re always volunteering your time here.’”
Zambrano tries to plan ahead and she always makes time for her family. Before she was married and had a family, Zambrano knew she didn’t want nannies taking care of her babies. She wanted to be there when her kids were growing up. Attending ballet recitals and soccer games is very important to her.
“It’s not an easy road. It’s not an easy job. But no job is. Everyone has their ups and downs,” said Zambrano. “The greatest advice I can give you is just have faith in yourself.”
Zambrano admits her career and family life can be demanding but she knows what she has to do, as a mom and as a journalist.
“If I had to, I would do it right over again,” said Zambrano.
Women have choices and whether they choose to be full-time moms or full-time employees is their decision. For 14 years, Cristina Zambrano, news desk assistant and field producer at ABC 7 News, has been juggling both jobs. Even with three small children, Zambrano manages to work from 2 to 10 p.m. and still has time to attend her daughter’s after school activities.
“One of the kindergarten teachers didn’t know I had a job until recently,” said Zambrano. “She said ‘Wow, you’re always volunteering your time here.’”
Zambrano tries to plan ahead and she always makes time for her family. Before she was married and had a family, Zambrano knew she didn’t want nannies taking care of her babies. She wanted to be there when her kids were growing up. Attending ballet recitals and soccer games is very important to her.
“It’s not an easy road. It’s not an easy job. But no job is. Everyone has their ups and downs,” said Zambrano. “The greatest advice I can give you is just have faith in yourself.”
Zambrano admits her career and family life can be demanding but she knows what she has to do, as a mom and as a journalist.
“If I had to, I would do it right over again,” said Zambrano.
#Cristina Zambrano's thoughts on social media: "Use it as a resource but don’t abuse [it]." #abc7 #chicago #depaul #cristinazambrano
— Kasia (@Kashibear90) May 27, 2014
Listening to #cristinazambrano talk about #journalism inspires me. #interview #abc7 #news #depaul #chicago
— Kasia (@Kashibear90) May 27, 2014
#DePaul #journalism students: Learn how to be good story teller(s) - #cristinazambrano #fieldproducer #abc7 #news #interview
— Kasia (@Kashibear90) May 27, 2014
Being a Journalist on 9/11
By Kasia Fejklowicz
As the days, months and years go by memories blend and are sometimes difficult to recall. Every nation has days their citizens will never forget. September 11, 2001, is a day that will forever live in the hearts of Americans.
“I heard Diane Sawyer breaking in during ‘Good Morning America’ saying there was an incident at one of the towers,” said Cristina Zambrano, news desk assistant and field producer at ABC 7 News.
A couple minutes later, Zambrano saw the second plane crashing into the south tower of the World Trade center.
Zambrano immediately ran from the third floor to the newsroom and found all of her coworkers quietly staring at the television screens. It was all raw footage. They were watching victims trying to get help or jumping from windows.
“I got a little scared,” said Zambrano.
Even though the terrorist attacks happened hundreds of miles from Chicago; journalists knew there was a location connection.
Reporters and extra crews started coming into the newsroom. Zambrano felt uncomfortable because most people were trying to get out of the City of Chicago and she had to stay and do her job.
“Normally I’d be off at noon,” said Zambrano. “I worked till 11 o’clock at night.”
The next day, Zambrano interviewed people who were personally affected by the attacks.
“You’re a journalist, but you’re a human as well. It just hits you,” said Zambrano.
As the days, months and years go by memories blend and are sometimes difficult to recall. Every nation has days their citizens will never forget. September 11, 2001, is a day that will forever live in the hearts of Americans.
“I heard Diane Sawyer breaking in during ‘Good Morning America’ saying there was an incident at one of the towers,” said Cristina Zambrano, news desk assistant and field producer at ABC 7 News.
A couple minutes later, Zambrano saw the second plane crashing into the south tower of the World Trade center.
Zambrano immediately ran from the third floor to the newsroom and found all of her coworkers quietly staring at the television screens. It was all raw footage. They were watching victims trying to get help or jumping from windows.
“I got a little scared,” said Zambrano.
Even though the terrorist attacks happened hundreds of miles from Chicago; journalists knew there was a location connection.
Reporters and extra crews started coming into the newsroom. Zambrano felt uncomfortable because most people were trying to get out of the City of Chicago and she had to stay and do her job.
“Normally I’d be off at noon,” said Zambrano. “I worked till 11 o’clock at night.”
The next day, Zambrano interviewed people who were personally affected by the attacks.
“You’re a journalist, but you’re a human as well. It just hits you,” said Zambrano.