Former ABC13 KTRK Special Project Producer/Photographer/Editor David Mackey left TV news and followed ABC13 veteran Ted Oberg to Washington, D.C., to start a new life.
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Mackey took a year off to learn about the city and landed a job with an IT company as a video content editor for NASA.
While his work won’t take him to space just yet, David Mackey's new role with NASA is a global adventure. He'll be traversing the world, contributing to projects he deeply cares about.
Mackey answered some questions for us about transitioning away from a career in TV news.
Mike McGuff: What advice do you give people in TV news looking to start a new career?
David Mackey: The best advice I could give to anyone looking to start their career outside of TV news is to be patient. It's not always an instant success; it takes time to find the perfect fit. The key is being brave enough to make the jump, it’s scary but the reward on the other side is worth it! Going from living “on call" with a station to “banker’s hours” and holidays off or being told “it’s snowing, just stay home and work” is life-changing when it comes to work/life balance.
MM: How much did your TV news skills help you land the new job?
DM: I wouldn’t be the videographer I am without my “on the job” training I received working in television. I worked with some of the best in the business and was mentored by skilled multi-Emmy award-winning animation creators like Paul McKenna, editors like John Mubarak, and managers/photographers like Scott Morrow. Working at a number-one station in a top-ten market is like boot camp. The rush to get packages done with reporters, producers, and managers standing over your shoulder prepares you for the slowed-paced life of corporate, where projects you used to do in hours can now be focused on, allowing you to enjoy the finished project and not feel like you threw it together. Even more appreciative is the fact that after a project is done you get credit for it. So often in television the focus is on the “face” of the story. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen incredible stories air where everyone cheers the reporter while the photographer/editor is standing on the side unacknowledged, knowing the story was crafted in an edit bay and not on paper.
MM: Any advice on moving to a new city that you learned along the way?
DM: When it comes to moving to a new city and starting a new life, the best advice I can give is to say it’s never too late. I left ABC13 after 24 years as a 50-year-old and moved over a thousand miles away to Washington DC, not knowing a single person here. All I knew was, I didn’t want to be the person that never experienced life outside of their hometown. I figured at 50 with my kids grown, I was still young enough to have a life, fit enough to enjoy the life and attractive enough to destroy the life. I started at ABC13, married to a woman, and left divorced from a man, all while raising two successful daughters. I accomplished everything in Texas I could. As for the move, it took a while, but I am adjusted to DC life (and the snowy weather), and now I am making a difference with my skills, not rushing to work to deal with hurricanes and car crashes. Creating great projects for the government from the comfort of my home. The life path I chose may not be right for everyone but I couldn’t ask for a better place to be in my journey. A career that is not a job but a joy and the opportunity to help other organizations and non profits with my production company tdmphotography.com in the most historic city in the country.
