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Eileen Teves


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This San Francisco native followed her broadcast journalism dream to San Antonio, where she is a morning show features reporter and personality.

Eileen Teves made Midland her first Texas stop and her first full-time television reporting gig in 1999. There, she said to herself, "I’m a long way from home.” Today, the San Francisco native is happy to be in San Antonio, where she is a reporter and the co-host for “Great Day SA” at KENS-5. She graduated from the University of California at Davis, with a degree in rhetoric and communications.

Please briefly describe your professional background.
I'm a Reporter and Co-Host for Great Day SA at KENS 5. Before that, I worked as a video-journalist at News 9 San Antonio where I shot, edited and wrote my own stories. Prior to San Antonio, I worked in the tri-cities market of Johnstown-Altoona-State College in Pennsylvania. I started as a reporter and fill-in anchor in Midland, Texas.

What drew you to the journalism field/or broadcast journalism?
I always knew I wanted to work in TV. I just wasn't sure in which area until I did my first internship. I liked the rush I got from working in the newsroom. I also liked the creative energy. Growing up, I watched a lot of local and national news. My parents always encouraged me to be informed by radio, TV and reading the paper. I soon realized journalism was a powerful industry.

What are your goals?
Someday, I'd love to work for CBS Sunday Morning or another news format similar to it. Having my own lifestyle and entertainment show would be great too.

bHow did you get your first break in TV journalism?
I started working in TV as a production assistant more than 10 years ago. I briefly worked in a small market station in Florida. Then, I moved back to San Francisco to freelance. Eventually I put a resume tape together and sent it to a minority broadcast training program. They placed me at a Midland, Texas station. And I finally got my first on-air break.

What are your hobbies?
I enjoy singing, traveling, trying out new restaurants, going to the theatre, and running. These days I have a new found love for running. So far I've completed my first full marathon and seven half marathons.

Any advice for young journalists seeking to break-in?
My advice for young journalists seeking to break into broadcasting is the same advice I got before leaving to start in Midland – "practice, practice, practice." Young journalists should remember there's no substitution for experience. In fact, even if they've made it into the business, they should never stop learning. For someone trying to break-in -- seek as many different internships as possible in this field. It'll help you find your niche. Also don't forget to network.

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