What’s challenging/interesting/rewarding about my current job?

• I love having a job where I’m able to be creative in shaping the digital profile of our radio stations. I also love helping contributors—many of whom are not entirely comfortable with blogging or digital—find their voice and convey a message to their audience. Being able to connect with our community in various facets of digital media is truly rewarding and makes every day unique and challenging.

How do I use various communication proficiencies in my work?

• I’m thankful to be part of a great team of communication professionals. We each bring something different to the table and we help each other a great deal since we have a shared goal: entertain and inform our local communities. Unlike the on-air talent, the majority of my work to benefit the station brands is done behind the scenes. I don’t think anyone would say that blogging is their favorite part of the job, so it’s my job to make that aspect as simple and as fun as possible and to help them however I’m able.

What surprised me about my career?

• There’s something new to learn every day. Unlike most of my colleagues who have been working in radio since their teens or early 20s, I didn’t find my way into the industry until I was in my early 30s. It’s nothing like what I would have predicted. Townsquare owns more than 320 radio stations in 70 different markets. And while I love being focused on our communities, it’s also pretty cool to be so connected to what’s going on throughout the country in terms of radio and online media.

Here’s my number one piece of advice for Communication undergrads:

• When you get your “foot in the door” as it were, learn as much as you can and start making connections. But also don’t be afraid to speak up and offer opinions (respectfully, of course). In one of my first jobs, I was told that social media was a passing craze and that the company didn’t need to be on it (boy, were they wrong). Remember, the company wouldn’t have hired you if they didn’t want to see you succeed. And that means you are allowed to have opinions.

What should I have asked you? 

• How about “What will set me apart from everybody else going for similar jobs in the same field?” And the answer is: Writing. If you can put a sentence together and form coherent, written thoughts, you’re ten steps ahead of the game.

Class year: 

• 2007 (B.A. Communication & Music Production) and 2012 (M.S.Ed Educational Leadership)

Previous jobs since graduation: 

• I started out in a research and development position for TalentPlus Entertainment in St. Louis. I then returned to Quincy University where, over seven years, I served as Coordinator of Alumni Services, Coordinator of University and Alumni Communication, and Writer/Editor. I’ve been in my current position with Townsquare Media since March of 2016.