Sierra's Sage Advice to SC State Communications Students

On March 16 SC State students learned the power of perseverance, patience and positivity.  

The Communications Program's Media Professionals Speaker Series brought from Columbia Sierra Artemus, of WIS-TV. She is the producer and sometimes host of the station's daily "Soda City Live" program. 

Sierra also has her own podcast, SiTV, and is a sought after speaker, brand strategist, community activist, and youth advocate. 

A native of Columbia, Sierra graduated from Richland Northeast High School and the University of South Carolina (B.S. Broadcast Journalism). 

Sierra's' degree from USC was 11 years in the making. She says she had to pay her own way through school and this caused some stops and starts. 

"You've got to be eager and hungry," she told the students. Sierra's career path reflects this attitude. 

Early in her career she was a cosmetologist and makeup artist who saved as much money as she could for college. 

In 2015 she earned an associate's degree from Midlands Technical College. At USC she started off studying graphic design, left school for a bit, came back and turned to  political science. 

But soon journalism began to catch her attention. "I wanted to break down and explain to people the impact and how a law will affect you," she said.

The storytelling possibilities appealed to her. She took an internship at Columbia's WOLO-TV and worked her way up to a producer position. 

Sierra followed that with a stint at WACH Fox 57 in Columbia as host of "Carolina Showcase Career" where she interviewed guests about local businesses and attractions. 

The world changed in early 2020 with the COVID 19 outbreak. "During the pandemic I really developed my digital skills, my website, my ability to brand," she said. 

SC State communications students, through internships, are able to learn from Sierra at WIS-TV. She believes in giving back, lending a hand, and being a mentor to those coming up. 

This current school year, SC State communications major Midrina Tucker (left) and Benjamin Gadson both interned at WIS where they had the chance to work with and learn from Sierra and other professionals at the NBC affiliate.  

"Put your name out there," she encouraged the students, "be networking, get on LinkedIn if you're not already, get a professional head shot. What makes you stand out?" 

Sierra Artemus inspired all in attendance- students and us older folks too! 

Many thanks to Andrea Milford-Wilson (left) for arranging this event and also to Rolondo Davis and two of his family members who provided food and drink after Sierra' talk to complement the "food for thought" she provided during her talk. 

Thanks also to Rolondo Davis who took all of these excellent photographs.