Alexa Shaw Q&A

Welcome back to my Q&A series! This week, I am joined by Alexa Shaw, the Co-Host of DC Sports Live on NBC Sports Washington. She is a recent graduate from Texas Christian University and is a young talent taking the sports media world by storm! I spoke with Alexa about her experience at TCU, digital hosting, applying to broadcast jobs out of college and much more.

Let’s talk about your time at TCU! What were some classes that you took that helped shape your career?

 One of the biggest reasons why I chose TCU was because they had a specific sports broadcasting major. Many schools have journalism, but not many have a specific sports major. Many of my classes were hands on in the control room learning about all the positions it takes to produce a live show. Those classes were helpful, but the most valuable things I learned in school were things outside the classroom where I was learning in real time. I created and pitched ideas to our athletic department which allowed me to gain experience in front of the camera. This was, by far, the most beneficial for my career growth!

You hosted The 817, a digital show highlighting TCU Athletics. What was the process like preparing for each episode? 

 The 817 was a digital show I created that highlighted TCU athletes while also showing off the Fort Worth area. Before each episode my cameraman/editor, Eichel Davis, and I would select an athlete or member of the athletic program to interview. I would research our guest for that week and tailor the questions to them and their team’s season. Then we would decide how and where we would shoot the segment to integrate our sports conversation with a fun and interesting location on or around campus. This show was one of my favorite yet most creatively challenging endeavors.  For example, we took TCU baseball player Jared Janczak to Billy Bob’s, a honky-tonk concert hall, and talked baseball with him while line dancing and riding the bull. 

How is digital hosting different from the broadcast training you had? 

I never said no to any opportunity! Whether it was in-stadium hosting, digital hosting, or tv hosting there are similarities between them all. Yes, they are different but they all help give you reps in front of the camera. In-stadium hosting is all about bringing the energy and hitting the sponsorships where digital hosting is bringing that same energy but typically in a shorter form and a little more interactive with the audience. TV hosting is a compilation of them all with the live aspect, energy, and knowledge.

After you graduated from TCU, what was your experience like applying for jobs?

I knew what I wanted to do at a young age as a senior in high school. I’ve been “broadcasting” since 18 where I created a YouTube channel of interviews with high school players. I continued to work throughout college with TCU Athletics and also FOX Sports Southwest which started as an internship. Any work I had I made sure to add it to my YouTube channel. You’d be surprised who’s searching online to find talent. I had executives from networks emailing me from seeing my work online. So my biggest advice is to put your work out there! That’s eventually what led me to my job now.

What advice do you have for recent graduates that are about to apply for positions in the broadcast field?

It’s tough in this field because there is no one path in this profession. That’s what was the hardest for me coming up, but you have to see the beauty in creating your own path. It’s not always easy, but stay the course and good things will happen!

Now you’re the Co-Host of DC Sports Live! What do you enjoy about your job the most?

This profession never feels like a job to me! Sports are my passion and I love telling people’s stories. I’m lucky to work in a great supportive environment where I enjoy coming to work every single day!

What does an average work day look like for you?

I always say this profession is more of a lifestyle then a job! My whole day is around research and prep. In the morning I watch sports talk shows to stay up on the news, I read articles online daily, and then at work I do all the same researching and preparing what I’m going to say for the show that night. In addition, I watch every game of every sport possible.

My show airs weeknights at 10pm, so I have a reverse schedule. I have the mornings at home, head into work at 4pm and have a production meeting, then prep for interviews and content for the show at 10pm!

What are some of your go-to beauty products for being on camera?

It’s been an art perfecting what the best look on camera is. My go to for curling my hair is the “Beachwaver” curling iron, but I recently discovered the “Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer” which is a fun straight style. To finish every look I use the “Big Sexy Hair Intense Hold Hairspray” that keeps my hair where I want it the entire show. For makeup, I’ve learned a good bronzer and blush pops on camera! I also stick to the neutrals for my eyes and use “Urban Decay Naked” palate.

Overall, pick the look that makes you feel most confident!

 Before each show, you post your Outfit of the Show (#OOTS) on your Instagram Story and you always look so cute! Where are your favorite places to shop for your work wardrobe and what are your tips for styling outfits to be on air? 

 When I transitioned from sideline to in-studio hosting my style had to drastically change. When I was out on a field it was all about dressing for the weather and staying comfortable. My go to shops were Lulus, Vici Collection, Revolve, and Express. Now that I’m in-studio hosting it’s completely different and especially challenging finding outfits 5 nights a week. I had a colleague introduce me to “Rent the Runway” and it has changed my life! I still supplement my own clothes in, but it allows me to have different looks every night without totally breaking the bank. I’d recommend it to anyone in this field!! 

I’m sure you work crazy hours, how do you balance work and your life outside of it?

There’s no perfect answer to this one and I’m still constantly trying to work on this. Sports are amazing, but they always fall on weekends, nights, and holidays. Being in this profession requires a lot of sacrifice but surround yourself with people who understand the crazy hours this business entails.

Follow along on Alexa’s journey on Twitter, Instagram and on her website!