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10 Questions with ... Kristin LaBar
December 10, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
It all started before I could drive a car ... I was 14 years old with my own Saturday night radio show on a college radio station -- 90.3 WESS-FM!
In 2006, I got an internship at WAEB/ llentown, PA, and from there I landed my first part time radio gig at WHCY/Franklin, NJ.
After about six months, I got the call I never imagined I would get! WWFS (Fresh 102.7)/ New York City had just launched and PD Rick Martini, hired me for part-time weekends and fill-in.
During that time, I also did some part-time and fill-in for WBHT and WMGS (Magic 93)/Wilkes-Barre, PA.
I most recently picked up some fill-in shifts on WCTO (Cat Country 96)/Allentown, PA.
Currently, I work from my home studio, doing a steady amount of freelance voice-overs for national on-hold and in-store messaging clients.
1) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
I've been enjoying establishing my voiceover career, and I also have a part-time non-radio job helping people with disabilities to interact in the community.
2) Do you plan on sticking with radio?
I would like to, since it has been a dream and career goal of mine since age nine.
3) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?
Just pay attention to openings and sometimes just sending a tape out of the blue can start something.
4) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
AllAccess mostly, and my boyfriend Scott, who combs the ads daily and lets me know of openings he thinks I would be interested in.
5) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I would love to find a full-time midday position. A return to New York City would also be great!
6) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)
It varies. Lately it's the standard HR response confirming that they got my application. Both radio and non-radio companies seem to be unresponsive at times, BUT, I can say that there are some PDs out there who write back right away!
7) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
My four years at Fresh 102.7 in New York. I was on commercial radio for six months and got "the call" from NYC. It blew me away!
8) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?
I learned that I have a huge support system! I've also learned (well, I knew this all along, but this experience reinforced it) that you can't let life happen to you ... YOU have to happen to life! Giving up is not an option!
9) If you were offered a similar position to what you were doing for considerably less money, would you seriously consider taking the job just to stay in the biz?
I definitely consider any radio work that comes my way.
10) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?
I would say go for it, but have a "Plan B" in place, even something radio-related to fall back on in case your on-air position disappears. Volunteer at a college radio station to get some practice and start sending tapes to smaller market stations. From there ... the sky's the limit! You never know who might hear your tape and love it!
Bonus Questions
Your favorite new diversion is...
Doing some fun DIY upgrades to my house!
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