Today we’d like to introduce you to Liseth Ceja.
Hi Liseth, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in the San Fernando Valley in Southern California. I have an older brother and two younger sisters. I had a very unique upbringing growing up, for I did not have all the luxuries that some of my friends had, but I had enough. Both of my parents are immigrants from Michoacán, Mexico, and while growing up, I saw how hard they worked to provide for my siblings and me.
My parents, both of whom don’t have a high school diploma, instilled in my siblings and I the importance of having an education. Their sacrifices also motivated me to continue with my education after high school. In high school, I participated in many clubs and organizations that helped me develop myself. For example, I was ASB President my senior year, was in cheer, dance, theater, and leadership. After graduating high school with honors, I enrolled at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Once at CSUN, I quickly became interested in broadcast journalism and mass media communication.
Many experiences have encouraged me to be where I am now. One of the most important things about my career as a news reporter is that I have not shied away from being the center of attention or being in the spotlight. Growing up, I also participated in theater and acting clubs outside of school. While in college, I was a senator for my college for two consecutive terms. I also have never shied away from embracing my feminine energy or showing how proud I am to be Mexican-American. So much so that in 2019, I competed and won Señorita Fiestas Patrias, a beauty pageant that is rooted in Mexican heritage.
I grew up in a household filled with music and telenovelas. My mother would always make time in the night to watch her favorite novel and weekend shows, and I would sit next to her with amazement in my eyes from seeing all the elegant actresses and actors in those scenes that filled my mother and me with joy, anger, and sadness. There were a lot of moments of suspense and thrill that I attribute to the hour- to two-hour-long shows and movies that ran out of that small TV we had. I don’t remember the age now, but I told myself then, after seeing one of those action-packed scenes, that I would one day be on TV just like them.
All in all, I always dreamt of being in front of the camera. Although acting was something I aspired to do early on, I never would have thought that I would be in front of the camera and giving the news to thousands of people. The opportunity to work as a news reporter and be on television, first in Texas and then in Florida, broadened my eyes and gave me the confidence to continue doing what I do. What further drew me into the field of broadcast journalism is the ability to have that voice that speaks and represents others and, all the while, informs.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. I have to say that all of those experiences challenged me too. I was out of my comfort zone, which brought a lot of mistakes and lessons along the way. As a first-generation college student and female, I also really felt a lot of pressure. By living in Los Angeles, I dealt with a lot of opportunities that I am thankful for, but also, when I was applying to different positions, a lot of competition. Along the way, I also worked in different jobs to sustain, early on, what was in store for me and to continue to support my dreams.
From working as a receptionist at urgent care to working in retail and then at a restaurant, all brought a sense of doubt and concern about what I was going to do next. Having younger siblings also brought a great deal of pressure to help them out and be a role model for them, which I sometimes found myself so focused on that I would forget to take care of myself. As a result, I lost confidence along the way. I was not sure that what I was pursuing was for me.
In addition, when family members become doubtful about your dreams, you have a choice: you can either feel that you are not fit for what you are doing, or attempt to shut down a lot of that noise and work for it. Therefore, one of the biggest obstacles is setting a mental barrier for yourself that can keep you from succeeding and overcome those negative and intrusive thoughts, which I sometimes find myself doing.
But it’s a work in progress. I just need to sometimes remind myself that I need to work harder and know that I can be as great as I set myself out to be. Just like when I was in those beauty pageants and needed to walk in heels, although it was scary at first and there was a sense of doubt, after taking those few steps and gaining confidence, no heel can keep me from walking the distance I want.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a news reporter and newscaster at Wink, I specialize in journalism, both local and national.
Currently, I am also earning a degree in meteorology and plan to work with weather soon. I am most proud of where I am at, how far I have gone and, most importantly, how this is only the beginning of my career. I am thankful for being able to wake up every day and work in a field I at one point only dreamt about. I want to continue to help others, be the voice of my community, and inspire other girls and boys to find their success.
What sets me apart is that I never feel above or below anyone, something my parents always reminded me of when I was growing up. That piece of advice is a lesson that has carried me through my career and life and has also helped me connect with others. Being humble and having the understanding that I am always learning is also an important quality in any person and essential in most career.
Who else deserves credit for your story?
My biggest supporters have been my family and close friends. My parents and siblings have been imperative to my development and success. I have also had great mentors who have encouraged me and given me advice throughout my career.
I would like to thank my siblings, who have been there to help me see some of my flaws and provide me with insight on how to work on them. I am also very thankful to my professors and mentors, ex-bosses, who, to this day, I still keep in contact with and who have helped me develop my craft along my career path by providing generous feedback.
I also would like to credit my aunt Yolanda, my father’s sister, who has also cared for me since I was young. I appreciate her being there when I needed an outlet and for hearing me out. Last but not least, my close friends, who are there for me when I need them, and those who have never doubted that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/lisethceja.tv/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/profile.php?id= 100072454670886
