[a voice for the news]

I’ve often been told I have a good voice for the news — or that I’m in the right career field for my personality. Despite the encouragement, I’ve spent a lot of time recently psyching myself out, coming up with excuse after excuse for why I shouldn’t be in front of the camera. 

This week, I had the chance to fill in at the anchor desk for Carolina Week, and honestly, it shifted something for me. I realized I might actually be capable of building a successful on-air career — maybe that isn’t so far-fetched. 

Here are a few of the lessons I learned: 

1. Tone is everything. It should always reflect the tone of the story. During this week’s newscast, I briefly stumbled over my words, which caused me to giggle right in the middle of a story about new tariff negotiations. And let’s be clear — that’s no laughing matter. I quickly adjusted my expression and tone to match the seriousness of the story without sounding forced or unnatural. Anchors, reporters and really any kind of journalist needs to be mindful of their tone. 

2. SLOW DOWN! Now, don’t move at a turtle’s pace — you’re on LIVE TV, and there’s only so much time for each lead, tag and story. But it’s important to take natural pauses and pace yourself. I started this week’s newscast with breaking news and rushed straight into the VOSOT (video/sound on tape) that followed without taking a breath. I should’ve paused, just for a moment, not only to breathe but to give the viewer a chance to catch up. I’ve been told for years by my professors to slow down when I speak—and they were right. That’s especially important when you’re anchoring. A good anchor doesn’t just read the news—they set the pace. 

3. SMILE. Just think “smile,” and your face should naturally follow your brain. At the beginning of the newscast, I caught myself doing the classic Aisha mean mug. I had to mentally remind myself that for the lighter stories—and especially when interacting with my co-anchor, Akshay Gokul—it’s okay to smile. It makes a difference in how the audience connects with you.

4. BE PREPARED. Always read your scripts in advance. Before the newscast, we usually do a run-through, but Akshay and I were reviewing and editing scripts even before that—during breaks in the broadcast, too. There was also a moment where, due to technical difficulties, we had to ad-lib. That only works successfully when you’re well-prepared and know your material—especially in case something goes wrong. And, believe me, something will go wrong. 

5. Teamwork makes the dream work. On Wednesday, the synergy of our team was undeniable. From Madeline Ahmadi, our amazing floor director, to Benjamin Mahalvich, the producer guiding us in our ears, and our fantastic leader, Professor Leyla Santiago, you could feel the glue. While the anchor may be in front of the camera, there’s often a whole team working behind the scenes, and we all must work together to deliver a solid result. 

   
   

From preparation to tone to cadence, it’s your job as the anchor to guide the audience through the stories in a way that makes sense. You bring them into the process with you and make them want to keep watching for more.

Now, I don’t know what the future holds for my on-air career, but this week has definitely given me a new appreciation for the anchor desk. You’re constantly on the move, being mindful throughout the entire show—and it’s nerve-wracking. But the pros make it look easy. I have a deeper respect for their abilities.