Colin Shaughnessey

Colin Shaughnessey is a Junior Radio Major at Columbia College. Thus far he has advanced towards his career goal of being an On-Air Personality by interning at two Top 40 radio stations and hosting a weekly show at the school station, WCRX 88.1 FM.  Colin sat down to discuss his time spent in the department.

1.When choosing Columbia, what were your expectations and have they been met?

The main reason I choose Columbia was because I knew that I wanted to go into radio and I knew that they had a specific major for Radio where at other schools I would have to be more broad and just be a communications major. I came in with some high expectations because of Columbia’s great reputation and so far all of my expectations have been met! I have made great contacts here that I know I would not have been able to make anywhere else.

2. WCRX has a huge following on the internet and locally at 88.1 F.M. Was having a non-commercial station run by the students and overseen by management a big draw for you to attend Columbia?

When I was first looking at the Radio Department at Columbia one thing that was important to me was that the student run station was taken seriously because I felt then, and still do, that some of the best experience and learning in radio can come from doing a radio show. I knew right away just from talking to faculty in the radio department that they did take WCRX very seriously and that is why it continues to win award after award. The other great aspect of WCRX is that all of the technology is up to date and they continue to make it even better. I have even heard of alumni that are working in the radio industry coming back to Columbia to use our resources because it was more up to date than what they had at their station. 

3. Your first internship took place at WBBM-F.M., B-96. What did you learn from that experience?   

I was amazed at how much I learned at B-96! I worked with the midday personality and gave him topics to talk about and interesting information, and answered phones. I was basically a producer for his show. He was very helpful. He would ask me how I would use some of the topics on the air and showed me how to spin topics and how to be a better radio personality.  

4. Brian Middleton, former midday host at B-96, had been there for over ten years. When Brian left before your internship was over, what thoughts ran through your head?

Was it something I did? In all seriousness, I was shocked. I knew Brian had been there for a long time, and was well respected in the industry.  So for him to be there one day and not be there the next was another and unfortunate part of the business that I got to see through that internship. 

5. During the summer of 2006 you hosted a formatted show once a week from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Did having the internship at the same time give you additional ammunition for developing your show content?

Having an internship the same time as having a show on WCRX was a tremendous help. I was learning so much at B-96, I was then able to apply what I was learning and carry that over into my show. If I hadn’t had my radio show during the same time of my internship I still would have learned a lot, but wouldn’t have been able to apply it at the same time.

6. Currently you host a Top 20 program on WCRX. Can you give us a brief description of the program and the type of feedback you have received from listeners and management?

I host the Top 20 Countdown on Monday nights from 7-9 on WCRX. I count down the Top 20 songs on the Billboard Hot 100. I have received some great feed back from listeners. Whether it’s a request or what listeners think about Paris Hilton being in Jail, I cover a wide variety of topics.

7. Your current internship is at WKSC-F.M. with their afternoon host Ty Bentli. Though the internship is relatively new, what have been the highlights thus far?

Everything! This internship has been above and beyond what I ever thought it would have been, and I’m only about a month into it. The reason that the internship is great is because its very “hands on,” and I feel like I really contribute to the show. From coming up with topics to talk about, to being on the air and finding good callers for the show, working with Ty has been great, and I am learning from the number two afternoon drive host in Chicago.


8. Since you also host a show, have you seen a marked difference in your approach to programming and audience interaction?

I feel like every week I do my show I am growing. I think it comes with experience and finding your style on the air. I am the most confident and prepared that I have ever been and that comes from my experience from classes at Columbia, my past on-air experience, and through my internships.

9. In the spring of 2007, you worked Open House as a student worker. What did you try to impress upon the potential students?

I wanted them to see all that Columbia has to offer and explain to them why Columbia has worked out so well for me, so hopefully they could have as good an experience as I have had in College.

10. In June of 2007 you were selected to attend The Conclave, the yearly regional gathering of communications professionals. Looking at some of the panels and seminars, what did you learn from your participation?

I have never attended anything like The Conclave so I was very excited to see what it offered! It was a great learning and networking opportunity and also was a great way to see what is happening in radio across the country.

11. For any potential students who are on the fence about attending Columbia, what words of wisdom could you share with them in making that decision?

Columbia for me has been the best fit possible! Having such specific majors and focusing on exactly what you want to do it has been perfect. If you want to go to a school that will focus exactly on what you want to do, I would choose Columbia. As well as being a great school you are, in my opinion, right in the middle of the best city in the country.