GSAB Profile: Chase Cain

Chase Cain is a storyteller, covering climate change for NBCLX on Peacock. His reporting has earned three Emmy Awards and a National Edward R. Murrow for an innovative story about the impact of a warming planet on Southern California’s endangered Joshua trees. Chase documented firsthand the summer of unrest in Washington, D.C., the 2020 presidential campaign, and traveled to Tokyo to cover the Olympics for NBC. Previously, he reported for NBC in Los Angeles and San Francisco, but his first television job began in Augusta, right after graduating from Grady College in 2005 with a major in Broadcast News. Chase also spent three years at Hulu, creating original content for acclaimed series likeThe Handmaid’s Tale and Castle Rock. Originally from Marietta, Chase is proud to now call Southern California home.


What advice do you have for today’s Grady College students?

The most important advice is to follow your passion. What interests you? What excites you? Follow that! There are plenty of jobs which pay well or seem to be glamorous, but if there’s not passion behind what you do, happiness is far more elusive.

Cain alongside a classmate at the anchor desk for Newsource15 during his time in the College. (Photo: submitted)

What experience during your time at Grady College had the biggest influence on where you are today?

My involvement with Newsource15 remains the most invaluable experience of my time at Georgia. The opportunity (and pressure) to produce a live daily newscast absolutely prepared me for the real expectations of a career in television news. I am eternally grateful for the intentionally challenging instruction of former professors like David Hazinski, Michael Castengera and Steve Smith.


What modern challenges would you like to see current students and recent College alumni solve?

Personally, I would love to see more students pursue environmental journalism and social justice. There’s an important crossroads between the two, and there are far too few journalists bringing attention to those issues. There is no more important story than the future of our planet, our ecosystems, and the survival of our species.


What is your favorite place on campus and why?
Cain stands outside the White House in Washington, D.C. during President Joe Biden’s inauguration. (Photo: submitted)

I always loved Herty Field, and how can you not? I would also use the law library as a favorite study spot. I would feel somewhat out of place as a journalism student in the law library. Would someone ask me to leave? Could they tell I wasn’t a pre-law major? Lol. But I really loved being inside and looking out the window to the beautiful fountain. It was just a wonderful, peaceful escape — and sometimes I would actually study!


How has your field changed from your graduation to now?

The biggest shifts have been in the immediacy of news and the abundance of mis/disinformation. The “fake news” moniker has been incredibly harmful to journalism, and I would encourage everyone to stop using it, stop joking about it. While journalists work to share the truth, we’re also under increasing demands of immediacy. It’s no longer enough to spend weeks producing engaging work. It often needs to be shared while in-progress, and that is fundamentally changing how we work.

 


This series profiles members of the Grady College Alumni Board who make a positive difference in our College. We are grateful for the support and enthusiasm of our Grady Society Alumni Board members.


 

Chase Cain among seven Grady College alumni inducted into UGA’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2018

The University of Georgia’s Alumni Association annually recognizes outstanding alumni who have made an impact in their careers through its 40 Under 40 program. Grady College is proud to have seven honorees in the 40 Under 40 Class of 2018: Brooke Bowen (ABJ ‘07, JD ‘10), Chase Cain (ABJ ’05), Meredith Dean (ABJ ‘14), Josh Delaney (ABJ’11, AB ‘11), Ivey Evans (ABJ ’06, BBA ’06, MBA ‘13), Quanza Griffin (ABJ ‘01) and Lauren Pearson (ABJ ‘02).

Selections were based on the graduates’ commitment to a lifelong relationship with UGA and their impact in business, leadership, community, artistic, research, educational and/or philanthropic endeavors. The 2018 Class will be honored at the awards luncheon on Sept. 13 at the Georgia Aquarium.

Chase Cain on on the red carpet for The Handmaid’s Tale.

Grady College will release profiles of the winners leading up to the awards luncheon.

Name: Chase Cain

Graduation Year: 2005

Current Occupation: Creative Producer, Hulu

What advice do you have for current Grady College students/young professionals?

Every industry represented in Grady College is shifting and evolving at an increasingly rapid pace. First, be flexible. Second, think ahead. What’s the job you want to have at 25 or 30? Then consider what your “next best right step” will best position you for that goal. Yes, I just quoted Oprah! Sadly, many professional recruiters lack the imagination to consider that you could handle a role without the direct experience or qualifications. Also, most recruiters are inundated with applicants for a single role and an ever-growing workforce. Make their job so easy that it doesn’t require any imagination on their part to envision you as the perfect fit for the job you really want. That may require a short-term sacrifice for the long-term goal.

What experience during your time at Grady College had the biggest influence on where you are today?

What was initially a setback became the most valuable lesson I took from Grady. The programs may have different titles now, but the experience is evergreen. I originally applied for admission as a “Broadcast News” major but was denied! Instead, I was offered a spot as a “Telecommunications Arts” student. No sir. That wasn’t what I wanted to do, and I certainly wasn’t going to come so close to my dream to be deterred now. I wanted to be in front of the camera in a newsroom, and this was the major to prepare me for that role. I specifically chose UGA and Grady College for its outstanding broadcast program and faculty. What did I do? Asked for an in-person meeting with the dean of Grady College at the time. After some persistence with his assistant, they finally gave me the time, and I didn’t waste that opportunity. I prepared a pitch, practiced it and delivered it flawlessly in only a few minutes. Needless to say, two years later, I graduated with a Broadcast News degree — and with a GPA putting me on the Dean’s List. After being named to UGA’s 40 Under 40, I would imagine anyone at Grady would agree that never yielding from your dreams is always the right decision. 

Chase Cain hosting a panel at George Washington University

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned as you’ve navigated through your career?

I’ve learned that I must clearly and directly ask for what I really want. No one else can read your mind, and you can’t count on anyone to detect subtle signals. If you want something specific, ask for it! Sure, maybe they say no, but at least they now know what you want. Retired Grady Professor David Hazinski once gave me some terrific advice. He told me that I can ask 100 people for the job I really want, and that I should be prepared to hear “no” 99 times. He impressed upon me, “you only need one person to say yes. Why do you care what everyone else says?” It’s an excellent reminder to fervently chase your dreams and to never be discouraged by obstacles. It only takes one “yes,” no matter how many setbacks precede it.