Sports enthusiast by day, and one of CBS 2’s hardworking original anchors by night
The Awesome Life of Rob Johnson
Rob Johnson is a weekday anchor of CBS 2 Chicago news for the evening newscasts at 5 and 10 pm. Johnson allowed After School Matters contributor Joshua Conner to conduct an interview with him, as Conner wanted to get an interview with Johnson since he saw him reporting at the station downtown. Conner wanted to get some insight into Johnson’s life and journey into becoming an anchor for CBS news. Johnson is one of CBS’s sports buffs and original reporters.
CNN to CBS Network Story
Rob Johnson’s journalism story illustrates how working and college can pave the way for your journalism career. Johnson said, “I spent a semester off campus in college working for CNN in Washington and fell in love with the business.” Johnson then worked for WLS-TV for 8 years, and took his career to the next level when CBS offered him a position as a main anchor. The headline of Johnson’s life would be“I am blessed!”
CBS 2 With Rob Johnson an Original Anchor
A normal day at CBS 2 consists of Johnson going to work at 2 or 2:30 pm, then Johnson works around the clock with meetings, emails, phone calls, research, and anchoring at 5pm and 10pm newscasts and doing promos for Prime Time. Johnson says “Fortunately I don’t have to come to work in the morning, but arrive with great vigor every afternoon anticipating getting to report on an interesting story.” Johnson also sees himself being a main anchor for the long term.
Advice to Aspiring Teenage Journalists
Johnson’s advice to aspiring teenage journalists is “Never miss an opportunity to learn, whether it’s in school or through an internship.” Johnson’s career defining moment was covering the horror and sadness during Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005. Johnson said “News viewers in Chicago are very smart and savvy and you have to be a straight shooter and give them the nuts and bolts.”
Johnson the Sports Buff and Personal Profile
Johnson describes himself as a hard-working journalist and devoted husband and father. He spent five years in Brussels, Belgium where he attended and graduated from High School, and he would tell his high school self to “Enjoy being a teenager!” Johnson arranges his own wardrobe with the help of the “Great men at Hinsdale Clothiers.” Johnson said “I played sports growing up, and when I got into the business I realized I would be less likely to burn out if I had other diversions that had nothing to do with TV news.”Johnson also enjoys hockey, skiing and golf.
