While she was growing up Robin Mangarin wanted to be on TV.
That’s one reason she decided to become a reporter.
But she soon realized that being a broadcast journalist involved much more than just wanting to be on TV.
“It’s all about providing the public with not only information that could change their lives but the stories that you wouldn’t hear if it weren’t for what we do on an everyday basis,” she said during an interview.
Mangarin discussed her career following her presentation March 8 at the Alternative Careers for Women event held in the Bakersfield College Huddle.
She was one of several women panelists who discussed nontraditional careers to a group of girls 13 to 16 years old who were economically or socially disadvantaged, according to Karen Eso, BC psychology professor who coordinated the event.
Mangarin is the executive producer and anchor of the 5 p.m. newscast at channel 17. She also works as a reporter, sometimes covering medicine.
She said during the interview that she came to the BC event to be a mentor to the girls.
“I never had that when I was growing up,” she said.
“I came here because if I can support or inspire any one of these girls to be the best that they can be, whether it’s as a newscaster or a geologist, I want to be a part of that.”
Besides Mangarin, panelists included: Michelle Lawrence, EMT; Linda Blagg, construction; Carmen Acevedo, vice mayor of Arvin; Lara Baxley, professor of chemistry at BC; Shelley Castenada, Kern County Sheriff’s Department; Rosalva Flores, CPA; Elizabeth Giesick, lawyer; Tamra Ludwick, oil and gas; Barbara Rycerski, geologist; Dawn Ryder, agriculture; Michelle Trujillo, lawyer; and Bethany Thompson, chef in training, according to Eso.
Each panelist gave a short presentation about her career and the girls then asked questions.
The panel introduced the girls to nontraditional career’s for women, according to Eso. In previous generations, a typical career choice for a woman would be becoming a nurse or a teacher.
Now women are given many opportunities.
“What we are trying to do is give these girls some of the possibilities because I think they’re not exposed to a lot of these things,” said Eso.