The Gentlemen’s Profile of NBC 5 Chicago News:
Rob Elgas
Introducing the pensive, pizza-loving, puppet master and perfectly motivated journalist of NBC 5 News!
Rob and NBC
Rob Elgas, an anchor and reporter for NBC 5 Chicago News at 4:30pm and 10pm, allowed After School Matters journalism student Joshua Conner to conduct an interview with him. Conner wanted to get some insight into Elgas’ career and ask him what advice he had for aspiring teenage journalists. Conner was intrigued by Elgas’ journalism technique, his voice and the puppets he features on his Twitter feed. Conner loves the playfulness that Elgas shows on Twitter through the puppet Gary Gnu, it shows that Elgas is quite a character. For his avatar, Elgas features the photo of the famed puppet who says “No news is good news without Gary Gnus!” It is ironic how in his childhood Elgas watched the puppet news of Gnu, and later in life he became a anchor reporting the news. Elgas also loves pizza and TV with HD cable.
Nothing is Humdrum with Rob!
Elgas believes there are no normal days at NBC. Since Elgas is an afternoon reporter, he doesn’t have to go to work until 2:30pm, at which point he pre-reads the stories for the 4:30 pm newscast because “It’s important to understand what you are saying.” After that, he prepares for the 10pm newscast or heads out to cover breaking news segments. Elgas has covered a car and train accident, two fatal fires and two shootings in the last month alone. Elgas enjoys the thrill of not knowing what he going to do the next day.
Rob’s Road To Broadcasting
Although Elgas did not have a particular influence leading him into the journalism field. Elgas was drawn to the news because “It was more about being able to tell stories on television using video and sound. I’ve always enjoyed writing, and in college I realized I could do this on TV.” Elgas also admires anchors Bob Costas, Matt Lauer and former anchor Warner Saunders because they help him strive to be the best. Elgas also used to be a reporter for ABC in El Paso, Texas. Elgas said, “It’s not uncommon for many of us to have worked for many other networks,” but he feels lucky to work at NBC!
NBC, Career, and Life as a Journalist
If Elgas had a life’s theme, it would be feeling blessed. In the future he sees himself at NBC, because he loves being at home and channel 5 news network. In addition to covering breaking news, Elgas has also covered the Winter Olympics in Italy, the Blackhawks Stanley Cup parade, and President Obama’s 2008 victory. Social media also has helped Elgas’ career; as a reporter Elgas believed that it shaped the way he gathered the news. For example, he remembers the night former Governor Rod Blagojevich was convicted, and how he was following all the reporters who were tweeting from the courtroom.
Advice to Aspiring Teenage Journalist
Elgas’ advice to teenage journalists is: “BELIEVE in yourself … and be willing to do what it takes.” Elgas believes teen journalists must support themselves as well as having a strong support system. Teen journalists must ask themselves the question, “How can I be different than the rest of them?” Journalism is a competitive career, and one must be unique.
Elgas Didactic Philosophy
Elgas has a philosophy that everyone should live by: “I don’t need motivation. The day I do, I better quit.” Journalism is the only career that Elgas feels like he would be fulfilled in, and he can’t imagine doing anything else with his life.
