In this edition of Meet the Media, we are getting to know Steve Soliz, a News Anchor at KING5. With his unique path to journalism, Steve amplifies community voices and recognizes everybody’s story deserves to be told. Read more about him below:
What was the path to your current career/job?
My career path has been very unconventional. After a few years of college and working various hospitality jobs, I walked away from both and secured my first broadcasting job at a radio station in my hometown of San Antonio. I always get the question, what is your dream job? The truth is that I never expected to have the job I do now. I believe in focusing on the journey over the destination. I never expected to get a call to anchor the news at KING 5, but I am honored that I did. I am now an evening anchor at one of the most respected news organizations in our industry.
Which of your stories are you most proud of?
The stories that have filled my heart with joy have been the ones in which people are able to share their own stories. We all have different backgrounds and unique experiences which have shaped who we are. I love having the opportunity to give people the platform to share their stories with the world. As a journalist, I believe we should be working to allow the voices of others to be heard above our own.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is getting to work with an incredibly brilliant and talented group of people. KING 5 is a unique place to work. This newsroom is collaborative and supportive. There is a long legacy of excellence at KING 5. Those of us who work at KING know that we have a duty to continue to build on the station’s rich history while finding ways to support our community with every story we tell.
What skills have you found to be most useful in your job?
The most useful skill I have acquired during my broadcast journalism career is the ability to explain something complicated in a way that is easy to understand. Many news stories have superfluous details. I enjoy immersing myself in a story and figuring out what people need to know and what is non-essential. Another very useful skill in this industry is time management. When you have a daily deadline, you have to be good with every minute of the day.
What is something unexpected that you have learned from your career?
There are so many things I have learned during my career that I never thought I would. To be completely honest, those of us who have been doing this for a while truly know a little bit about everything. If you have a friend who works in this industry, you should invite them to trivia night at your local pub. If you don’t know a local journalist, you should get to know one.
What do you look for in a story?
When searching for stories, I look for ones that might have a big impact on a community. I’m also looking for someone who is willing to share their personal story. Everyone has a story that is unique and compelling. Sometimes, it takes asking the right questions to learn what that story is.
What does your day look like at your job?
My work day begins at home as I listen to morning editorial meetings while sipping coffee. I get to KING 5 around 1:30pm to read through scripts and check in with producers. I will also see if our marketing team might need me to record a voiceover for them. Around 3:15pm, I’ll change into my suit and prepare for my first two newscasts of the day: KING 5 News at 4 and KING 5 News at 5. When the shows end, I have three hours to have dinner, read scripts and help our team prepare for my last show of the day: KING 5 News at 9, which airs on KONG. At 10pm, I drive home.
Who do you most look up to in the journalism industry?
There are a few people across the country who have helped shape me as a broadcast journalist. News anchors like Sean McLaughlin (KPHO/Phoenix) and Ali Velshi (MSNBC) have taught me quite a bit from afar, while countless others have shown me how to be better as I shared newsrooms with them. The biggest influence in my career has been my agent and friend, Al Corral, who has instilled in my daily thinking that I shouldn’t waste my energy worrying about things that are out of my control. Those are real words to live by, regardless of your profession.
Fill in the blank:
- If I am not working, I am… working out, spending time with friends/family or watching the news.
- If I could interview anyone, it would be… any president from any party of any era. Depending on the commander-in-chief, I’m sure there are many, many stories to learn.
- The last concert I attended was to see… Explosions In The Sky at a small venue in Flagstaff, Arizona.
- My favorite thing about Seattle is… the weather in Seattle. I know I’ve only been here for a year and a half, so my answer may change over time. For now, I love Seattle weather.