Parker left her job as a reporter with News Channel 8 and WJLA ABC 7 to become director of public affairs for the Prince George’s County Police Department last month. Why did you leave journalism?
It was an exciting, sometimes stressful and rewarding career for which I’m so thankful, but I like to tackle new challenges. There are so many good stories to be told here and it’s my job to make that happen.
Do you miss being a reporter?
I do miss the adrenaline rush with certain live shots and the rapport you develop working with photographers on a daily basis. I love that my daughters got to see their mom on TV.
What was your favorite news story or one that you were most proud of?
In 2009, I worked on WJLA’s groundbreaking series on breast self-exams. It got national attention when “Good Morning America” did a story on how our stories actually showed women how to perform the exam. I’ll never forget men writing in to thank us, saying they thought our story may have saved their wives’ lives.
I went to Indianapolis as George Mason’s Men’s basketball team made their sensational run to the Final Four and then turned around a day later and went to Boston to cover the University of Maryland women’s basketball team beating Duke for the national championship.
I anchored for NewsChannel 8 the morning of 9/11.
I did continuous breaking news live shots the moment the sniper shootings story broke and before we knew how huge that story would become.
Has it been difficult to change careers?
Surprisingly not. I’m amused at how appreciative I am of the basics that come with this position that feel like luxuries after being a general assignment reporter. An air-conditioned office, a water cooler, food and even bathrooms are “perks” that reporters don’t always have.
– Scott McCabe
