Alumni Spotlight

Katie Baker - Production Assistant, Harpo Radio, Inc.

When she first enrolled at Columbia College, Katie Baker had big plans to pursue a career in voice-over talent. Once she began taking classes in the Radio program, her focus shifted to radio production.

"Originally I came to Columbia because I wanted to do voice-over's and then after taking classes I realized radio production was more what I wanted to do with my life, and how I wanted to express myself,” says Baker.
 
She worked as a teacher's assistant for the Radio department Production and Interviewing courses and as a studio time assistant for the department.  "Radio seemed like a great way to use my voice and be creative in an environment that's always changing," says Baker. 

Making the most of her time at Columbia, Katie completed two internships while in school.  The first internship was at a commercial voice-over agency and the second one at Oprah's Harpo Radio, Inc. -- She was the first Columbia student to score an internship at the station!

"After talking to everyone at my internship, the one thing they remembered about me was my smile. I went in with a positive attitude, and made it clear that I was ready to learn. I feel like I also had some added confidence because I knew the radio department had my back," says Baker.

While completing her internship at Harpo, a Production Assistant job became available and Katie took her chances, hoping her previous hard work would have paid off. She landed the job and hopes to stay as long as they would like her too, hopefully becoming a producer in the future.  Working at Harpo Radio has given Katie the perfect opportunity to jump-start her career. Now over one year into her position, she is a full time Production Assistant researching show topics, screening listener phone calls and editing segments for on-air. 

Katie believes that everyone should make the most out of the opportunities they have. "Internships are so incredibly important, almost as much as the attitude that you have.” she said. Her best advice? “Be professional and have a great attitude.”

Katie also worked at WCRX for two semesters as a production assistant and producer for a weekly arts program.  Her production work contributed to the radio station's overall public service commitment to the community and the 2008 Service to America College Radio Award from the National Association of Broadcasters.