Today is Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. It is a day that lets kids get a glimpse into the professional lives of their parents. Jocelyn Kuntz accompanied her mother to WNIJ. The 14-year-old got more than a glimpse, she got an education. We put her to work interviewing some of the parents who work in the office. She interviewed them in their favorite places. She started with News Director Jenna Dooley.
"My favorite space at WNIJ is the Tim Emmons Visitor Center on the first floor. It's got a really calm, chill vibe. I find if we're going to launch into a creative series in the newsroom, we come up here because it's a little more laid back," said Jenna.
Station Manager Staci Hoste's favorite space is Studio A.
"It's a space that I've seen evolve. When I started it was a badminton court, sometimes used for yoga, and now we use it for events and a program that we launched. I'm just super proud of it," said Staci.
Phil Masterton's favorite place is the conference room.
"In stark comparison to my office, it's floor-to-ceiling windows a third-of-the-way around. There's greenery outside and you're able to see the great outdoors. My office is in the basement and it doesn't warrant any more discussion than that," he said.
Once everyone was settled, Jocelyn asked the parents how WNIJ influences the relationships they have with their children.
"The way that I'm raising him, I hope, is to consider multiple sides--not to tell him: 'You must believe this or do this because it's always been done that way.' I try to be an empathetic listener. I just want him to be an empathetic listener," said Jenna.
Staci Hoste has two children. Her son Connor is eight, and her daughter Grace is three. She says their relationship with the station depends on the day. Because Grace is sick, she said, "Today WNIJ is an 'infirmary,'" but stated they are well acquainted with the station.
"They listen by virture of being in the car, and Alexa, and the mobile app -- so they wake up to it and pretty much go to sleep with it, maybe moreso with WNIU for nighttime listening."
When Jocelyn asked her if she was raising her children to be journalists, Staci said, "I hope that I'm raising them to be curious. I'm hoping that I'm raising them to be engaged in the community."
Phil Masterton's daughter Kelsey is an adult who lives on the East Coast. He says she stays connected to WNIJ through the free mobile app "so she can hear her dad every now and then."
Though his daughter has graduated from college, has her own career, and lives several states away, they remain close. Phil says his relationship with Kelsey, "continues to be one of the greatest blessings in my life."
He continued, "She is a wonderful influence in my life in knowing that somewhere out there, there is my daughter whom I can be extraordinarily proud of, and somewhere out there is a wonderful young lady who loves her daddy."