The Industry

     SUMMER! It has arrived. Technically it arrived back in June, but my rule is that before we can claim it is Summer, the sun has to be out for at least 5 days straight and guess what?! IT’S SUMMER! Break out the popsicles, shorts and sandals and of course awkward sun burns and tan lines!

Today I went for a journey in this beautiful weather to hopefully buy some last minute tickets for an amazing concert here in Victoria (Jeremy Fisher, Said the Whale, Hannah Georgas and Aidan Knight!) and luckily they weren’t sold out… So I will try and take some video or get some pictures for the extra tomorrow, so keep your eye open for that. With all that aside, my BCIT roomie did her homework that I dished out yesterday and she submitted her story!

Jen is awesome. Just putting it out there. She has an amazing radio voice and she was one of the people in our program that was so natural we cursed her name… ok not literally but she is really good! Also random fact… she is an amazing baker. I won’t lie, when I came home after school to find a bunch of homemade cupcakes on the counter I would run up and do a happy dance for Jen… and I’m not kidding (although I’m sure she wishes I was HAHA). So I’m glad she sent in her story! Without further ado… Jen Grier!

Hey Mitch!!!

Ryan Seacrest is taking over my timeslot for the next 4 hours so I finally have some time to share my story. I am currently the Promotions Coordinator for the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group in Prince George and I also do weekends/fill-in shifts on air. But things didn’t start out this way… I was a model/actor/instructor for a local agency. While at a show I did an on air interview with a DJ, we started dating, I started to do voicework for the station and that’s how I started in the industry.
I would voice commercials, spots, liners and whatnot in exchange for tickets to concerts, gift certificates from the company in the commercial etc. I did voicework for about 2 years then one summer I applied for the summer cruiser position. Success! I had a great summer going to events and reporting back from them…then our station was bought out by another one and (ironically enough) I was laid off on Labour Day :(
My boss at the country station played soccer with the PD from Pattison and set me up wtih an interview. I then started at Pattison as a board operator for broadcasts of the BC Lions/Vancouver Canucks and was the technical coordinator for the Prince George Cougars broadcasts. I did that for 2 years and then my boss gave me the chance to do weekends on air. I started at our Classic Rock station 99.3 The Drive, then after a year, switched over to our Hot AC station 101.3 The River where I have been ever since. I continued doing voicework and am now the female imaging voice for 101.3 The River.
I went back to school. Lived with Mitch in the dorms this past year and now I’m a graduate (still a bit miffed that they mispronounced my last name at the ceremony, but whatever). During my internship I came back to my station and did on air, production, voicework, imaging, errands, and whatever else they needed me for. Our Promo Cooridnator is on Mat Leave so I once again jumped on the opportunity and that’s basically how I got here.
If it wasn’t for the professional and personal relationships I built over the years, I wouldn’t be here today. When someone offered advice, I listened. When I was looking for advice, I asked my mentors. When an opportunity came up, I gave it my best shot (scared s***less or not). Be friendly to everyone, but don’t be fake. Especially in this industry, people know when you are faking it. 2 of my mentors work with me and have both gave me so many inspiring words and chats. Rob Mitchell “Be yourself” and Doug Jones “Breathe”. 2 tips that have helped me out a lot!
When Penny’s Mat Leave is over, I don’t know where I’ll go but I’ve always wanted to travel so I’m more than willing to go wherever the job takes me. I guess that’s the other tip I have, be willing to go where the job takes you. Best of luck and take care!
 
Jen Grier
p.s. I HATE Yoga!!! ;)

Just to put the “I HATE Yoga!!!” into context… When you go through the radio program at BCIT you do some vocal training and it comes in the form of yoga! It’s weird, hilarious and quite an interesting way to spend your afternoons at school. Way better then textbooks if you ask me! At least I think that is what Jen meant HAHA!

Jen is so right. The whole secret to this industry, that you will pick up quickly, is that it’s not so much what you know, it’s WHO you know! Network, schmooze, mingle, whatever you want to call it, TALK TO PEOPLE! You never know, who knows who and as soon as you meet your first industry person you’ll truly understand just how small the industry is… trust me its creepy small!

Thanks so much Jen for sharing your story, always nice to hear from you! If you want to keep up with Jen, you can hear her on 101.3 The River up in Prince George and organizing some amazing promotions! WOOT!

-Mitch

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Yesterday’s Daily Post: Day Thirty Eight - Blah!