Missouri School of Journalism: Profiles in Success: Laura Chia '05

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Name: Laura Chia
Degree and Year: BJ '05 (Radio-Television Journalism)
Company: Oscar Mayer
Title: Hotdogger
City and State: Midwest Region

The First Job

What do you do for Oscar Mayer?
Spokesperson for Oscar Mayer, commonly referred to as a "Hotdogger." I drive the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile across the Midwest region with a partner. We go to fairs and set up public relations events for Oscar Mayer.

Laura Chia, BJ '05

Chia at the wheel of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

How did you become a Hotdogger for Oscar Mayer?
I graduated from the Journalism School in May of 2005 and found out about this opportunity through the Career Center. I applied when Oscar Mayer came to the Mizzou campus to interview. I was interviewed the day after I turned in my application and was then flown to Madison, Wis., the next week for a follow-up interview. It all happened very quickly.

What is the best thing about being a Hotdogger for Oscar Mayer?
I really like meeting all of the people. In this job I meet up to 100 people per day. The best thing about it has been the chance to experience first-hand how marketing is effective. Whenever we bring the Wienermobile to a place people always want to take pictures with it; some even take their Christmas card pictures in front of it. It's just very interesting how this advertising vehicle is somewhat of an American icon.

Transitioning from College to Real World

What surprised you the most after you graduated and started working as a Hotdogger?
The strangest part at first was not having any assignments to work on or tests to study for. We have projects for Oscar Mayer occasionally, but it is very different not having homework every day and at the end of the day getting to relax.

Oscar Mayer Wienermobile
Photo Gallery

Related Hotdogger Profiles

Tammy Cloutier
BJ '99

Rebecca Judge
BJ '06

Matthew Mitchell
BJ '07

What is the best advice you received when you were looking for a job?
Make sure that you present yourself in a way that fits the company and job you are interviewing for.

Do you have any resume tips for students now seeking a job or internship?
Journalism students should take advantage of the Career Services office. Phou Sengsavanh can take experience of any kind and bring it to another level. She really helped me with my resume.

What interview questions did you find the hardest and why?
When I was interviewing for Oscar Mayer they asked me why I wanted the hotdogger position. I think that is the hardest question because you might be asked more than once, and you don't want to seem scripted. When I went to the interview, I just had to make sure I knew why I wanted that position, and I was consistent with my answers but not repetitive.

What is your favorite memory of being a Missouri Journalism student?
I was in the broadcast sequence and my first week at KOMU is my most memorable. I was given a news story in Jefferson City, Mo., to report. I was thrown into the situation and learned so much. I wouldn't have gotten a learning experience like that at any other journalism program.

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	Revised: 17 July 2007. Copyright © 2008 The Curators of the University of Missouri \| Contact the J-School