Joe Ackerman
Joe Ackerman is a senior Radio major at Columbia College in Chicago. He
has become one of our "star interns." He started out as a promotions
intern and now has moved up to doing live remotes and tech work as a
paid employee for Radio Disney. With graduation around the corner, he
caught a quick breath to do some Q&A.1. You seem to be a student who has many different interests outside of radio. What made you pick radio as a major and specifically promotions?
I have always had several things I have been interested in my life. The two big ones were film and radio. When I first came to Columbia College I was majoring in film but as I was taking classes, something was not clicking for me. I then realized that the thing I am best at is talking. With that said I changed my major to Radio and I am so happy with my choice. I think the main reason I have focus on the promotions side of radio has to do with really enjoying the interaction with listeners while doing the events.
2. After your internship at WRDZ Radio Disney, you were hired by that company. What do you feel were the contributing factors of your getting the job?
After I was done with my internship for Radio Disney they did hire me as a part time worker. Which also opened the door for me and I also now work and do events for 94.7 Chicago’s True Oldies Channel. I think the main reason I was hired had to do with my work effort. Everything I did I gave it my all and tried my best. It did not matter if I was doing stuff in the office or working the events. They also said they love my energy while I was doing events.
3. What made Disney the right choice for an internship?
I think Radio Disney was the right choice for me for a few reasons. The first reason is I work well with kids. I think that is because I am just a big kid myself. Another reason why I think Radio Disney was the right choice for me has to do with the fun events and actives they do at the events.
4. What were the highlights of your internship?
I think after my first event with Radio Disney which was the Chinese New Year Parade, I realized that my niche in radio was going to be promotions. I had a lot of fun and I was getting a lot of compliments. I also saw that I was really good at what I was doing so I knew promotions was it.
5. When did you realize that you had found your niche in promotions?
It was pretty cool this year because when I was an intern my first event was the Chinese New Year Parade and this year when I worked it, I was the team leader for the event! It just showed me that my hard work was being noticed and rewarded.
6. At the end of the summer semester, you will be graduating. What are your immediate goals after graduation?
After I graduate I think my first goal is getting a full-time position at Radio Disney. There has been talk that Disney would like to start training me as a talent, which would be great, and something I really would like to do.
7. What suggestions would you have for students who are embarking on their first internships?
I think my main suggestion for students who are interested in getting an internship is first get an internship at a station you think you will enjoy working at and will be a good place to show off your talent. Second, give your internship all your effort because if you do a good job people will notice and good things might come from it.