Kristie Vicencio
Kristie Vicencio is a 2005 graduate of the Radio Department at Columbia
College Chicago. While attending Columbia, she excelled in all of her
courses which led to her current position as a Sales Assistant at 103.5
WKSC-FM. We are delighted to shine a spotlight on such a successful
recent graduate.1. When you started taking radio courses did you ever think that the business side of radio is where you would start out?
Ever since I was a kid I knew I wanted to work in radio. When I was in High School I met some great buddies of mine at a Chicago Radio Station who took me under their wings and helped me pursue a career in radio. However, I didn't really think about the business side of it until my 2nd year at Columbia. A couple of teachers told me that the business side is where the money is at. Well, that and I realized I didn't have the talent to be on-air!
2. When I first met with you to discuss that initial internship, you struck me as a person that was not only well prepared, as well as extremely efficient. Were these traits, along with your academic success, instilled in you at an early age?
I definitely think that it was instilled at an early age. My parents made sure of that! I also grew up in a huge family with a majority of my cousins living near me. They have all grown up to have great careers and it was because they possessed these qualities. I think I picked up these traits from them and my parents. I also think that I attained some of it from Columbia. I learned a great deal from my teachers and was afraid to be anything but efficient in my classes.
3. That initial internship was at WGN-AM. Traditionally it is one of the hardest internships to obtain. How did you prepare yourself for that interview?
It is funny you ask that. I learned about this internship right at the deadline and turned in my resume right at the cut off. They called me that same day (Friday) and we set up my first interview for the following Monday. With that being said, I didn't initially think I was as prepared as I wanted to be. That weekend I listened to a lot of WGN and read a lot of newspapers to keep up on what was going on everywhere. I am glad that I did because in my 45 min interview I had to basically plan out an entire show using local and national news topics and name who should be interviewed for each topic. Also, it didn't hurt that I happen to be a hardcore CUBS fan and my interview happened to fall on the Cubs home opener. I made the Cubbies one of my topics! My second interview was more casual. WGN is also a very professional setting so I wanted to make sure I was dressed appropriately.
4. Spending over 40 hours a week at an internship can be taxing for someone who is not a student. As a student with academic courses, how did you manage to make it all work?
Luckily my internship was during the summer so I only had to manage classes and the internship for a couple of weeks. The morning show did require working at odd hours though. I was at the station from 3am-10am and then working from home until 7pm. I took naps whenever I could.
5. The greatest compliment was when your direct supervisor at WGN-AM called you one of his "best interns ever." That certainly is saying a lot, considering that WGN is considered one of the "premo" internships to have. What were some of the things you did to make a positive impression?
I just showed up and did my job with a smile on my face. I contributed show ideas often. I also tried to make it a point to meet everyone and let them know that this was a learning experience for me and that I was willing to help out any department anyway that I can.
6. You started out as a Promotions intern at KISS-FM. What was the most beneficial thing you learned as a promotions intern?
Through promotions you became the face of the radio station. You have to know every little thing about the station because you will get asked about it. I learned a lot about the listeners at events. You can pull up rankers through sales programs; but meeting and getting to know the KISS FM listener is what is important. I love talking with listeners and getting their input on the station. That is the reason why I still work promotions once in awhile. I also learned a great deal about the radio industry just by being around. In my short internship I learned about the huge turnover rate in radio and about how important it is to maintain a good relationship with everyone.
7. Was it at the end of that internship that you started to think that KISS-FM could possibly be a future employer?
Definitely. During the internship I worked with such wonderful people that I learned so much from. Clear Channel Chicago's setup is great. All 6 of our stations are located in the same place so I was always doing things for the different stations and learning from different people. I am still learning from everyone today.
8. Kiss-Fm has been great to us, allowing our students to intern with the On-air talent on the shows. Would you say being at a station that is not only fun, but also diverse in its personalities, helps you on the sales end of things?
Absolutely! The personalities are wonderful. Yes, they are diverse therefore connect with different groups of people. They definitely have fun with the listeners and the clients see that.
9. Four years go by very quickly. In four years at Columbia College you had three internships, worked at the school station, WCRX, maintained a stellar GPA, and now work full-time in the industry. What advice would you give to students who have thought of radio as a career?
Don't give up on your dream! Also, take advantage of Columbia. I owe so much to the Radio Department. Learn everything that you can and use it as a network tool. Appreciate your teachers and what you attain from them. Radio is all about who you know, and who knows you. I dropped names of Columbia's Radio Staff in all my interviews. In fact, when I got my sales internship I was just dropping something off into the General Sales Managers office. I mentioned Paula Hambrick and Hope Daniels and next thing you know I was sitting down talking about when I start. Most importantly, Have Fun!