Joy Perkins
Joy Perkins is a senior Radio Major at Columbia College Chicago. She enrolled as a freshman in the fall of 2004. During her stay at Columbia, she has maintained a 3.0 GPA while working part-time for the Department and having numerous internships. Joy is in her last semester at Columbia and has reached many of the goals she set out for herself, including graduating in three years! This semester Joy is interning at Clear Channel in the Promotions Department. Her direct Supervisor, Safiya Edwards, is also a Columbia College Radio graduate and has become a mentor to Joy. In an unrelated matter, Safiya e-mailed the Department and at the beginning of that message wrote, "Please send more Joy's my way," high praise indeed. Without further ado, here is Joy's story.
1. After three solid years in The Radio Department the moment is almost here. How does it feel to be on the verge of graduating earlier then expected?
I only planned on graduating a semester early, so when I went to my advisor to make sure that I was on the right path, she told me that I could walk in May and take my last two classes in the summer time. At first it didn't hit me, I was just like "oh okay," my family is excited on the other hand. Now it is really starting to hit me that it is almost over. I am nervous in a way, but I am thankful that I have the opportunity to graduate early.
2. Where does your ambition and drive come from?
I would say that my ambition and drive comes from my grandmother and mother. My grandmother grew up without a mother and a father but had to care for her younger siblings. She strived to make it in this world we call home and it has been a struggle, but a struggle that she is able to teach from and help someone else in their time of need. On the other hand my mother plays a major role as far as my ambition. My mother would always tell me " if there is something you want, just speak it into existence, or never say never, you can do whatever you put your mind to." I am the type of person that if I want something, I am going to go for it. When I set a goal I make sure that one way or another that goal will be accomplished.
3. When you first came to Columbia you had a distinct interest in being on-air. After interning at Disney, Simon Co, and now WGCI-FM, would you say that you have been bitten by the "promotions bug?"
After interning at Radio Disney, Simon Co., and now WGCI-FM I would say that, the "promotions bug" has truly bitten me. I love working with the public but at the same time if I was offered a position to be on-air, I wouldn't pass it up for anything.
4. Disney was your first experience at a commercial radio station. What were you expecting going into that internship?
Going into a commercial radio station like Radio Disney I didn't know what to expect, especially a internship in Promotions. I just wanted to make the best of it and learn as much as possible.
5. Needless to say that if you intern at Disney you have to love children and events geared towards children. What were some of the highlights of the internship?
The highlights of interning at
Radio Disney I would say reminded me of working at Chuck E Cheese. It
wasn't anything foreign to me because I was able to use my experience
from Chuck E Cheese to bring a little more flavor over to Disney.
6. Last
semester you interned at a paid internship with Simon, Co. Can you give
a description of your duties and how they related to radio?
While interning at Simon Co. I wouldn't trade it in for the world. I had a wonderful experience, I learned so much information that I don't think I would have learned at a radio station. With my experience I plan on adding it to what I already know and bringing something new to the industry. I was able to work hands on with the Marketing Director and Assistant, which I enjoyed because I was involved with projects the whole time that I was there.
7. Back in November when you attended the IBS(Intercollegiate Broadcasting System) Conference, you made a point to network with professionals and students at the conference. How important has networking been in your experiences?
I had the opportunity to attend the IBS conference back in November and I was able to network with professionals in the industry. In my eyes, networking plays a major role and I will never pass up an opportunity to network.
8. The great thing about Columbia is that we have a radio station WCRX, 88.1 FM, that is arguably second
second to none. Though you are leaning towards a career in radio
promotions you have been able to explore the On-Air talent side of
things. What are some of your duties and how much research goes into
your weekly show?
Being on-air at WCRX 88.1 FM has been a wonderful experience for myself. Now that I have a specialty show, I am responsible for programming and producing my on-air shift. This indeed takes time because you have to get the music together and make sure it is a radio edit let alone, getting your show prep together.
9. What class has benefited you the most in your stay at Columbia?
I would say that my Ethics class has really benefited me in my stay at Columbia. It really didn't dawn on me until I spoke with one of my colleague's who really made me think about the people in the industry who really don't know their ethics. I understand that this is something you must know that is really helpful especially if you want your career in radio.
10. What are some of your duties at WGCI?
My duties at WGCI consist of helping the Prize Coordinator, dealing the prize contestants and handling the prizes. I also do prep sheets for the on-air talent, which is to guide them in giving away prizes on air. Most importantly, I shadow my boss who is the Promotions Coordinator, who teaches me everything that I need to know in promotions and in this industry. I love working hands on because that gives me a better opportunity to grasp the information clearly. Giving me the privilege to shadow the Promotions Coordinator at WGCI helps me out because they have put their trust in me to give me a project and know that it will get done the way it should.
11. How do you balance everything and maintain a life outside of school?
Through my years of hard work and dedication I have learned to balance everything and maintain a life outside of school. I don't know how I do it; all I know is that it gets done. I hear the question all the time but I don't look at the things I'm doing to be a lot, in my perspective its just taking care of business that needs to get done. If I don't do it no one else is going to