Intern-Turned-Anchor: How Eyewitness News David Novarro did it

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Where did it all begin?

David Novarro made the “impossible” possible when he worked his way up from intern to anchor at ABC7NY. Traditionally, news personalities for the number 1 local news station begin their career at a smaller market and then work their way up to the larger market.

David began his career at NYU and decided he needed a part time job to help pay his tuition. While working his bus dispatcher job at the George Washington Bridge, he used every opportunity to network with the passengers.

“If they had an ABC logo, I would approach them,” David said. “Eventually I became friends with one commuter whose father worked at ABC and he helped me get my first internship.”

The Open Door Policy

David didn’t just work one internship, he kept building connections and ended up doing back-to-back internships until he was hired to his first paid position which was his desk assistant job.

Some of those around him told him that he shouldn’t take the “dead-end” job because they believed desk assistants usually get stuck in their position and make no progress.

“Here’s my bit of advice to anybody,” David said. “When they tell you don’t do something, do it.”

David proudly took any position that became available and he would take a step back to look at the bigger picture and plan out where he is going to be next.

“My approach to my career was an open door policy and that was when I saw a door open, I walked through that door,” David said.

For David, each opportunity was a chance for growth. Each job, whether it was one he really wanted or not, was a chance for him to gain experience and build his network for the next place he was meant to be.

“The key to that is being as flexible and as multi-talented as you can be in different areas,” David said.

The importance of trust

David is now a co-anchor for the noon and the 4 p.m. shows on Eyewitness News.

“My whole day is about striving for accuracy and for effective storytelling,” David said. “I have an opportunity to tell you why this should matter.”

In this position, he works with a team effort to bring consumers authentic and honest news. David is the last filter before handing the news over to the audience.

“As that final filter, it’s a tremendous responsibility, especially when you’re dealing with informing the public,” David said.

He explains that this is a huge responsibility because the only asset you really have is trust.

“If you don’t trust who is presenting the news to you, there’s no purpose,” David said.

Advice to the new generation of journalists

“Put the work into knowing who you’re pitching, what you’re pitching and what that job is,” David said. “If you want to get hired, you don’t come in as a project for that person to hire.”

David advises up-and-coming journalists to be avid news consumers that stay in tune with current events.

Ironically, David wasn’t the type of person who was into current events but he became interested because that’s what it takes to get into journalism.

“Be a sponge for knowledge,” David said. “I’m constantly learning and finding out details about the world around me that allow me to be a better communicator and journalist.”

Absorbing knowledge helps journalists to understand how history plays a role in where society is today.

With that being said, journalists report on some very difficult stories.

David encourages the new generation to be deeply empathetic.

“Keep your heart and make sure that you never forget that there’s a person with feelings listening,” David said. “You have to have heart and understanding and sensitivity to the community.”

Hope for the future of journalism

As David knows what it’s like to be the rising generation, he wishes the best to the new generation coming into the world of journalism.

“I’m very encouraged. I think the future is very bright,” David said. “I’m anxious to see what the next generation holds, so good luck to all of you out there.”