Finding a Dream Career with ABC News at NAHJ
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) Conference is here! At the event, attendees are given the chance to meet with recruiters and employees from both ABC News and ESPN to learn more about working for The Walt Disney Company. Gio, co-anchor for Good Morning America (GMA) Saturday & Sunday and ABC News transportation correspondent, is one of the many ABC News employees with a connection to the conference. In fact, he secured his interview with ABC News at a journalism conference!
![GIO BENITEZ Gio, ABC News Correspondent](https://sites.disney.com/app/uploads/sites/57/bb-plugin/cache/image2-1-219x300-square-02059d180c5e0e8bcfa4f117442399d0-83cl2fhwj1zn.jpeg)
Gio began his journey with ABC News in 2013 as an ABC News correspondent. Two days into the job, he was asked to work on a story for GMA. The next day, while still going through the orientation process, he walked onto the GMA set in absolute awe. He said, “When I turned to the camera, I still don’t know if the teleprompter was off, or if my eyes went blurry from nerves, because I didn’t see any of the words. So, right away, I had to dig into my experience as a reporter and ad-libbed my way through my story. Thankfully, it all worked out and I was invited back the next day for a story.”
Since then, Gio has spent years traveling the country and the world to cover some of the biggest stories. In 2020, Gio became the network’s transportation correspondent. Then in 2023, he was given a dream-come-true opportunity to co-anchor the Saturday and Sunday editions of Good Morning America. His day-to-day often looks different but usually begins at 5 am, getting ready for a live report on GMA. When he is anchoring, he will start earlier to work through the show in detail with producers. For segments that require more choreography, he will rehearse the segment to make sure everything runs smoothly when live on the air.
![KARINE JEAN-PIERRE, GIO BENITEZ SOUL OF A NATION - ABC News’ “Soul of a Nation” will present a one-hour primetime special, “PRIDE: To Be Seen,” documenting the LGBTQ+ experience and examining what it means to be seen in the current moment as a member of the community, airing Thursday, June 9 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC.
(ABC/Pawel Kaminski)
KARINE JEAN-PIERRE, GIO BENITEZ](https://sites.disney.com/app/uploads/sites/57/bb-plugin/cache/image0-landscape-380eeb4f329b29a3022e930bce7fdbbd-axyr9d634ls7.jpeg)
![GIO BENITEZ, ROBIN ROBERTS GOOD MORNING AMERICA - Show coverage of “Good Morning America” on 4/30/24 on ABC. (ABC/Heidi Gutman) GIO BENITEZ, ROBIN ROBERTS](https://sites.disney.com/app/uploads/sites/57/bb-plugin/cache/image3-landscape-c348d6707deddcaabc87508350638fec-0r6dai8tyom5.jpeg)
Throughout his career, Gio told us he has been lucky enough to represent ABC News at several journalism conferences. In his opinion, it is important to serve as an example for young people of color who aspire to reach the highest levels of this industry. Gio had many mentors who were impressionable and invested in him, and he is intent on passing that on to the next generation.
When asked about the culture of ABC News, he answered, “Like the rest of The Walt Disney Company, ABC News is very much like a family in the sense that we take especially good care of our people. It’s truly such a special place.” He also emphasized the importance of teamwork and that there’s no way to do what they do on their own. He remarked, “And that’s what makes it so fun!”
If you are attending the NAHJ Conference this year from July 9-13, be sure to stop by booth #307 to connect with ABC News! Recruiters and employees like Gio will be available to answer questions and give more information about working at ABC News and The Walt Disney Company.
![GIO BENITEZ, JANAI NORMAN, WHIT JOHNSON DISNEY UPFRONT 24 - The Disney Advertising Upfront is a showcase event that brings together all the content corners of The Walt Disney Company on one stage. On Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at North Javits in New York City, an incredible roster of all-star talent will tout their connections to storytelling, Disney, and each other while showcasing their latest projects for the upcoming year.
(Disney/Jenny Anderson)
GIO BENITEZ, JANAI NORMAN, WHIT JOHNSON](https://sites.disney.com/app/uploads/sites/57/bb-plugin/cache/image1-landscape-21f8edfb95b7f763f7dbbd67d0a4b585-09hntrsxau2v.jpeg)
Unable to attend this year? No worries! Visit Disney Careers to learn more about opportunities at ABC News.
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