Welcome to another segment of

Chatting With A Pro

What is your name and your profession?
Julie Norman, I'm an office manager at a radio station.

What made you choose this line of work?
I didn't!  I started out as a receptionist at a small AM station after college.  What can one do with an almost completed English major anyway?  I was promoted from receptionist to talk show producer and from there, office manager.  One thing about radio, it doesn't stay the same for long.

Has it been a long life dream?
No, but I've always been curious about what happens behind the scenes at a radio station.  It's not as glamorous as they make it look like on TV.  Often, you're working out of a closet or with things hastily wired together and duct-taped.

Do you find any satisfaction in what you do?
Yes, because I'm now working at a Christian radio station that airs music and ministries.  It's wonderful to hear that what you're doing is ministering to others.  Even if it's just filing papers or making reports. 

What kind of benefits do you receive? (Not insurance, vacation, etc.)
I often get tickets for concerts or events.  In 2003 I got to go to Nashville for the GMA week and the Dove Awards.  Here and there I get to represent the station at an event, which is quite fun.  Sometimes I get to meet artists and other well-known people.

Are there downfalls with this job?
Oh, quite a few.  For one thing, it's an inconsistent profession.  One day everything will be going great, the next week the owner pulls the plug and changes direction.  I've learned to roll with the punches, though some of them still throw me.  Another thing, is that radio attracts odd people!  Now I've been told by a few people that I'm one of the more normal people they've worked with in radio.  But I assure you, that's not saying much.  The pay isn't top either, unless you're a manager.  There's just too many people who want to be in radio.

Is it a career or just a job?
A job.  I'm not a career woman.  I figured that out when I was in my mid-20's.  Could've climbed the ladders, but I just did not want to.  As a result, I may never get to own a Jaguar or live on the ocean.  But doing something you enjoy is worth more than all that.

Is there a historical(?) figure that you admire in your profession?
No, I don't know a lot about the history of radio.  Maybe Thomas Edison - without electricity, I would have no job.

Where do you draw support from to remain where you are in your career?
From my husband and from God.  My husband is great at giving me a better perspective when I come home growly.  He also doesn't mind that I'm not making top dollar, as long as we get by comfortably.

Could you share a special anecdote about you profession?

Oh, where do I start?  One Christmas, we had a promotion where you could win a CD during the morning show.  The listeners would get to pick between two packages - and we would describe them to them.  One could be in a red box with a silver bow, another in Christmas tree paper with a green bow.  They were supposedly under our Christmas tree.  Once the gift was chosen by the person who called in, they would hear the sound of the morning show host unwrapping the gift.
In reality, there was no tree, and there no wrapped gifts.   There were post-it notes on the different CD's of the description of the wrapping paper.  It's all theater of the mind.
They must have been quite convincing that year, because guests would ask "where's the tree?" when they stopped in.  One woman even brought us a set of homemade ornaments to put on the tree.  Just goes to show you, don't believe everything you hear on-air.

What are you responsibilities?
General office duties, I do it all.  From answering phones to month-end reports.  We also have a shopping show that offers things at discounts, and that keeps me busy too.  I also occasionally make sales, do traffic (commercial logs) and get coerced into being on a commercial.  You often become a Jack of all Trades simply because things need to get done.

Did you receive special education for profession? Where?  No, only on the job. 

I've been in radio for about six years.  It hasn't seemed to change a whole lot except in technology.  There are fun new gadgets and everyone is going digital from analog.

To do the best I can do and negotiate well for a raise!

A very 'special' thank you to Julie for participating.  

A Lady Swan Contribution