By Lauren Warwick
Working at a call centre since leaving school was a far cry from my dream career. But it paid the bills. My passion to work in the industry had been exhausted, and clock watching was a daily routine. Watching the minutes go by slowly and counting down to my last hour of my shift became the main aim of the day. This when I decided that something more exciting and ambitious had to be introduced into my life otherwise I would crash and burn. Its sounds dairy Leigh (cheesy) but it were a moment of sheer determination, and hope to dream of doing something with new found heights. Being a radio presenter was something that I could have only imagined. On leaving my job at the call centre I had nowhere to go. It was a time when the recession was at its core and people were thank full they had a job. It didn’t faze me that jobs were limited and I had no other job to go to because I mapped out exactly what I wanted to do and how I was going to get there .
Jumping up out of bed my alarm went off. Realizing it was 7am in the morning and I didn’t have work to go to was strange, but I knew I had to treat this as a typical day and do something constructive with it. Reaching for a pen with my eyes still closed I decided to scribble down the things I wanted to do but only one thing sprung to mind and that and that was I WANT TO WORK IN RADIO! So how was I going to get there ? How was I going to do it? Who do I contact? With no experience would anyone give me a chance? I cracked the whip and made endless amounts of contacts with people from program controllers to managing directors. I was as confident and determined as ever. I learnt that if I was to do this correctly research was the only thing that was going to help me. Library’s - Books -internet -news papers. Then Bingo! I decided that I would have to start from the very bottom and work my way up.
I approached a local community radio station North Manchester Fm. I contacted the program controller Paul Graham and sent my ideas across to him for a new show proposal. Anxiously waiting I received an email inviting me to come in for a discussion, I was well chuffed and meeting Paul Graham who has extensive radio experience at the BBC for over ten years, was a great experience. It was a huge success and he decided to give me my first break. Paul chucked me right in the deep end and asked me if I could host my live show the following day. 3 pilot shows on and I believed I made the correct impression. All though my presenting skills were amateur and needed a lot of work Paul decided to keep me on at the station and allowed me to host a show on a Tuesday afternoons. This is where I decided that now I have my foot in the door I need to get myself some well needed training and coaching in order for me to be on top of my game in this competitive world.
I then met radio Coach and Current radio presenter Sam Walker and Kate Cocker from ‘What goes on media’. Between them they have over 20 years experience in the radio sector and their credentials are outstanding. I approached them and asked if they could me in my long journey. They were extremely helpful their clients are top of the range. My mind did wonder and had me thinking why these professionals would want me on their books. Fortunealty they welcomed me with open arms and I was delighted when they agreed to take me under their wing and teach me the ropes, and I have felt honored ever since.
Not long after being coached and taught the very basics I was moved to the drive time show on a Thursday evening from 4pm till 6pm delivering and developing myself to the best of my ability. A short while after that I approached an independent radio station Manchester Radio Online. I was met by a very nice warm welcoming gentlemen Mr. David Foran who was the founder and program controller, he also agreed to give me a radio show every Saturday evening. After a few months I was asked to produce a regular programme for two very experienced presenters on a Sunday evening which resulted in me arranging for some BIG American names to appear as guests on the show.
The journey continued..Two months later I decided that I wanted to get some experience in the commercial radio sector and at the Beeb. I approached the BBC for a job as a reporter for a project called BLAST, my application was shortlisted but I didn’t get the job. It was one knock back and I knew there were many more to come. But this did not deter me and I asked the interviewer if they could give me some advice on how the interview went and what areas I could improve on in the future. Even more so my passion became a lot stronger and I decided to apply for a job at a commercial station in the heart of Manchester KEY103. I applied to be on the street team so that I could earn an income and gain the experience necessary and learn from the very best at the same time. Weeks into my job and things were going from strength to strength. Great feedback from management and staff as I always strive to go that extra mile. I was really fortunate when I was chosen to take part in a huge company event, I was responsible for looking after and liaising for some well known celebrity names. This was an opportunity I could not turn down and one that I would be able to add to my C.V. All this in 7 months and I still have years to go before I can become as good as my nearest competitors, as the industry is tougher than ever and cut backs are being made ,this is the time to excel and become top of my game more than ever before .
My quest and journey still continues with hard work and social life sacrifices in order to secure my first paid job as a radio presenter in the commercial world of radio. By no means I am in it for the money or fame or glitz and glamour and by no means did I go into the industry with my eyes closed but in these last 7 months it’s been extremely hard work with little or no pay and as the competition stiffens and more new talent arises my only hope is that in the next few years when I have more air time under my belt and my links and presenting skills improve that I will be offered my first break at a commercial radio station.
The best advice I was ever given which will remain with me for years to come was - If you are offered an opportunity paid or unpaid grab it with both hands don’t ever turn down something for a night on the town or a friend’s birthday party . My journey continues and it’s still very early days. I have realized and now appreciate that things don’t happen overnight. I was under no impression that this was an easy ride but I still couldn’t have been prepared for the hard work the job role requires. I now know it’s not a case of opening that mic and talking for 3 hours. There is a whole lot more to it. Leaving after your show has ended is not the end of your working day that’s for sure.