What's Next for Katie Couric?

Katie Couric has been an American icon since her hard-hitting news correspondent days covering the Pentagon and Persian Gulf War. But, it hasn't been an easy road for this news anchor and journalist. On the contrary, Katie Couric worked her way up through the ranks the old fashioned way: she earned it. And, she shows no signs of slowing down.

What's next for Katie Couric? Katie Couric has signed on to become an ABC News contributor in broadcast and online. She's also slated to become the host of a syndicated talk show set to premiere in the Fall of 2012. She's got about 270,000 followers on Facebook and another 65,000 followers on Twitter. Will she become the next Oprah or Barbara Walters? Good question!

Personal Journey En Route to Broadcast News

Katherine Anne "Katie" Couric was born on January 7, 1957 and raised in a typical American Middle Class family. Her father was a public relations executive and news editor in his own right. Her mother was a homemaker and some-time writer. Katie attended Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia and graduated from the well-regarded University of Virginia in Charlottesville with a degree in American Studies. There was certainly nothing to indicate in her early years what would become of Katie, but most reports on her early years highlight her confidence, smarts and perseverance. America would soon find out what Katie's hometown had long known about this impressive young woman.

"America's Sweetheart" or Rough Neck News Correspondent?
It wasn't long before Katie Couric became known as "America's Sweetheart" by virtue of her longtime role (1991-2006) as host of NBC's popular morning program The Today Show. Prior to that, she had done stints with ABC, CNN, and WRC, an NBC affiliate in Washington, DC. It was her substitute anchoring gigs for The Today Show, along with her political correspondent appearances, that caught the eye of NBC execs. In 1991, she became permanent co-anchor of the show, alongside Matt Lauer.

But, few could forget her years as a Pentagon correspondent during the Persian Gulf War. Her tenacity as an interviewer and overall street smarts gave her credibility to assume any number of roles in broadcast news. Later, as the only female network news anchor, she won high marks for trying to revamp the nightly news slot for CBS' Evening News with Katie Couric. Unfortunately, despite the fact that the show won Emmy's in 2008 and 2009, the ratings just never caught up and she began looking around for other prospects.

Other Projects for Katie Couric
Katie Couric has diversified as an anchor, correspondent, journalist and author. Her first book entitled, The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives (Random House, 2011 @ Amazon for $15.30) was a runaway bestseller. She's contributed dozens of news stories for the award-winning 60 Minutes during her tenure with CBS. She's guest starred on any number of television shows, including the popular Glee.

Over the years, her broadcast interviews and prime time specials have won rave reviews and awards, including one she did with Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin which most news analysts agree had implications for the outcome of the 2008 US Presidential contest. No shrinking violet, Katie Couric continues to seek projects where her talent, dedication, passion and insight can be put to good use.

Colon Cancer Awareness Campaign and Public Health Initiatives

Her most important project to date has been raising public awareness of colon cancer and the importance of screening. Her efforts alone have led to dramatic increases in the number of screenings done each year. Her dedication to this health and wellness project, among other health prevention and promotion efforts, is an intensely personal one, having lost her husband Jay Monahan to colon cancer at the age of 42, her sister Emily Couric to pancreatic cancer at the age of 54, and, most recently, her father John Couric at age 90 to complications from Parkinson's Disease. But, Katie Couric's efforts have raised awareness of these important public health concerns and certainly advanced prevention and treatment of these diseases.

A New Adventure with ABC

You may have heard that Katie Couric is slated to host a daytime talk show for ABC, scheduled to air in Fall 2012. Already, she's being compared to Oprah (OWN) and Barbara Walters (20/20 and The View). The pressure of these comparisons would be incredibly difficult to deal with for most. For the tried and true Katie Couric, "America's Sweetheart" label aside, it's probably just another day in the office.