Wargin started her broadcasting journey at Colorado State University where she graduated with a speech communications degree in 1992. From there she was hired at an AM station called KIIX-AM and eventually worked her way to the FM station 93.3 KTCL-FM which started her path to FM broadcasting and television.
To kick start a career in broadcasting, the majority of companies look for a degree in communications of journalism. These programs help individuals get a good grip on what the field will look like and set them up with the skills they need to thrive in the business.
With her education and early experience behind her, Wargin was able to land a mid-day shift at KBPI where she covered Colorado Rockies games for nine years. She was even lucky enough to see them win the World Series in 2007 among other monumental sporting events for Coloradans.
“The Rockies one was like magical because they weren’t supposed to be in the postseason and so to be going along with that and feeling the energy. Whenever there is a cool energy that’s what I love the most,” Wargin recounted.
Wargin was able to see many big wins including the Avalanche 2001 Stanley Cup win, DU hockey championship win at Ohio State, Broncos win at Superbowl 50, and even covered the Vancouver Olympics in 2000.
She was able to see a lot of these games and cover them due to her gig at the 850 KOA where she did sports coverage as the first female sports reporter who worked full time.
There she learned how to establish trust with players to get the best possible interview. One of the most important parts of sportscasting is building trust not only with the team but also with the audience as well.
“If you know what your doing, the respect comes,” Wargin said while talking about how the Broncos players trusted her so much that they would never say no to an interview with her.
In 2016, Wargin went back to FM broadcasting where she hosts a show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fox, a classic rock station. And in 2019, Wargin was asked to work as the sideline reporter for the Broncos.
While working with all of these stations, she found herself experiencing new things and following routines.
On game days, Wargin gets to the stadium three hours before the game, makes sure to look over press releases, and takes rigorous notes so she can effectively communicate important information that the audience will need to know.
“It’s a lot of observing, seeing if there’s anything I can tweet about, or there’s things happening that I need to be aware of and that I can use later on in one of my reports…there’s never a dull moment in my life no matter what,” Wargin voiced.
Throughout years of working in broadcasting, Wargin has learned a few things that have helped her excel in her career.
She has noticed that it is important to establish trust with players to get the best responses and to build a solid relationship and to be upfront with her audience as well as keeping a positive outlook in her reporting.
“You’re there to kind of be that friend that’s always happy and your problems need to be left at the door,” Wargin expressed.
Wargin explained that one must be able to communicate with people well and to get along with everyone no matter any difference. One must also have a good speaking voice, good timing, and a good, interesting personality.
Many broadcasters write and edit their own segments so it’s very common for journalists to find their way into this career. They also must have a good connection with the audience to keep them coming back. She has noticed that by doing this, it has helped propel her career and has helped give her opportunity.
“Just smile and be yourself because people can see through the fake stuff,” Wargin affirmed.
Although she has been lucky enough to pursue her dream career path, Wargin also has to work in real estate to keep a solid income.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, broadcasting salaries range from $19,120 to $94,450 with the median being $33,220. As well as lower salaries, it has been increasingly hard to grab the attention of younger generations as well, making broadcasters fight for your time.
The broadcasting community is also very small and will continue its growth. With only about 800 people being hired in the field before 2022, it’s clear that technology has been playing a large part in the place of humans in the broadcasting world.
Even though Wargin has to work hard, she doesn’t mind it. She enjoys working in a field that she has always wanted to pursue.
“It’s awesome, it really is,” Wargin happily communicated.
The MFJS Reporter -- Winter 2020 T-R 