Essay by Emma Goss published online by the Today Show

“Upper management told me that despite excellent reporting and unique investigative talents, my voice was a problem,” writes Bay Area reporter Emma Goss in a Today Show essay about her decision surgically to change her voice.

“As a TV news reporter, I hear from viewers — and even employers — that a voice like mine doesn’t belong on air.” In a personal essay for TODAY.com, freelance reporter Emma Goss writes about how she thought her career as a TV news reporter was over before surgically changing her voice.

Here’s an excerpt —  to continue reading click this link. 

“Upper management told me that despite my excellent reporting and unique investigative talents, my voice was a problem, matter-of-factly saying it was just too nasal for “this size market” and seeming to suggest that I was in over my head if I thought I could land a full-time job in a top ten market … They added that the station hoped I’d stay on as a freelancer, and offered to pay for a voice coach to work with me.

“The rejection stung, and the offer to pay for a coach didn’t strike me as supportive, but more of an ultimatum: Change your voice, or get out.”

Emma freelances for NBC Bay Area and worked for KTVU Channel 2 News previously.