Since graduating from Bowling Green State University in Fall 2022 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, Sophia Walcher has built a career in Toledo television. Sophia got involved with media early in her college career, beginning as a freshman with both video and radio projects, and even earning a university grant for a video journalism project.
“If I hadn’t started experimenting with media, I would have never realized that I enjoyed it,” she said.
After returning from the COVID break her sophomore year year, she joined Falcon Radio, where she hosted a show called PhiloSophie.
“My minor was Philosophy so it was like a funny pun off of my name,” she explained. She also took part in BG24 News, where she eventually became the executive producer during her final senior semester.
After graduation, Sophia started as a weekend morning producer for 13abc, working the overnight shift from midnight to 10 a.m. She produced three news stories each day, covering everything from local features to national updates. Her work ranged from hard news to lighter, community-based stories.
After about six months in that role , she transitioned into her current full-time role with The Nine, a lifestyle morning show on the network. As a lifestyle producer, she schedules guests, creates community-centered stories, and now works alongside the sales team after her department shifted to marketing.
“I’m kind of like a multi-trick pony,” she said while describing her ability to film, edit, and sometimes even appear on camera for her segments.
Sophia credits networking and hard work for helping her get her start after college.
“I think you always hear the phrase ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’… that is definitely what played a part in my career,” she recalled. “I think that it’s a combination of knowing the right people, but also being able to prove your work ethic.”
Sophia’s career now reflects the creativity and energy she brings to every project.
“I take a lot of pride in being able to turn a regular sit-down interview into an interactive segment,” she said.
With her adaptability and drive to learn, Sophia said she sees herself staying in television, continuing to push her creativity and find new ways to make storytelling exciting.