10 Questions with ... Ron Wagonrod

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

E-MAIL: slantasaurus@gmail.com or slantasaurus@aol.com

Born and raised in Chicago, where I've been able to listen to legendary radio personalities like Larry Lujack, Steve Dahl and Terri Hemmert. I've sold high-performance auto parts for Super Shops, worked in factories in Indiana, and construction in Florida. After nine years framing pictures for an art gallery I was laid off and decided to go back and follow my dream from 20 years earlier, so I enrolled at the Illinois Center for Broadcasting. While at ICB I was able to combine my love of racing and music into a weekly podcast, Slantasaurus' Rock and Racing on JamzOnAir.com. Right now I'm trying to get my foot in the door of the broadcasting industry to get where I've always wanted to be.

Born and raised in Chicago, where I've been able to listen to legendary radio personalities like Larry Lujack, Steve Dahl and Terri Hemmert. I've sold high-performance auto parts for Super Shops, worked in factories in Indiana, and construction in Florida. After nine years framing pictures for an art gallery I was laid off and decided to go back and follow my dream from 20 years earlier, so I enrolled at the Illinois Center for Broadcasting. While at ICB I was able to combine my love of racing and music into a weekly podcast, Slantasaurus' Rock and Racing on JamzOnAir.com. Right now I'm trying to get my foot in the door of the broadcasting industry to get where I've always wanted to be.

1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?

I keep telling myself that things will work out, and there aren't any jobs doing what I used to do anyway.

2) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?

This is the longest I've ever been out of work. Of course, most of that time has been spent going back to school.

3) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?

That's what I'm trying to figure out.

4) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?

All Access is where I've found the majority of the positions I've applied for so far.

5) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?

Answering 10 questions on All Access to try to get my name out there and get a job.

6) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?

Something, anything ... news, traffic, DJ, MRN, give me a chance and I can do it.

7) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)

I have only received responses from less than 5% of the places I've applied, and even then it has been a form letter or e-mail.

8) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?

If I can go back to school after 20 years, I can do anything.

9) How will this experience change you when you get back to work?

I already know how lucky I'll be to be doing something I enjoy. I've worked enough jobs that I didn't like.

10) Where do you see yourself in five years? 10 years?

Five years, hosting a show in a medium-size market, doing some sort of specialized show on the weekends, and working on finishing my '74 Duster.

Ten years, I'm not sure, but probably still trying to finish my '74 Duster.

Uh oh ... now you're on your own for getting new music. If applicable, name your three most recent purchases since leaving the biz.

Todd Snider's "Excitement Plan," the most overlooked, underplayed CD of last year. Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam's "Coming Up For Air," and The Black Keys, "Brothers."