She attended the University of Florida, graduating in 1995. Following college, she received a Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarship from Rotary International, which allowed her to study for six months in Tours, France, during the same year.

Broadcast Journalism Career

Alison Starling began her career in broadcast journalism as a reporter and anchor at WDEF-TV in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She later worked for three years at KIRO-TV in Seattle, Washington. While based in the Pacific Northwest, she reported on significant stories, including the 2001 Nisqually Earthquake (commonly known as the Seattle Earthquake) and the Tacoma connection to the D.C.-area sniper case.

In August 2003, she joined WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C. By January 2004, she had become the co-anchor of the station’s noon newscast and its morning program, "Good Morning Washington." She later took on additional responsibilities as co-anchor for the 4 PM, 5 PM, and 11 PM weekday newscasts. Her strong on-air presence and reporting skill earned her recognition as one of the "rising stars" of local television by Washingtonian magazine in 2005.

Notable Coverage and Television Appearances

Throughout her career, Starling has covered a variety of significant events. Notably, she reported live from Texas on the aftermath of the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy in 2003. She was also involved in Sinclair Broadcast Group’s "Terrorism Alert Desk" feature, which aired across affiliated stations nationwide.

In November 2006, she appeared on the television series "Working Woman," continuing the segment initiated by Kathleen Matthews. The program focused on highlighting the efforts of women in the Washington area who make unique contributions to their communities.