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10 Questions with ... Nicholas Battaglia
March 17, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I have experience in all size markets, including time with AM570 KLAC (Fox Sports Radio) in Los Angeles. I've won multiple broadcasting awards including the Jim Kenyon Award for Broadcast Excellence. By my second semester of college, I was named Senior Sports Producer and did play-by-play for all types of Morrisville State College sporting events.
1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
I was born with one arm, so throughout my life people have told me I wouldn't achieve anything. But by staying positive and optimistic, I've played college football, became the second person in my father's family to go (and graduate) from college, and got to intern in the #2 market in the country.
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
I'm constantly reading articles and books. And I take every opportunity to learn something new, whether it's about radio, technology, software ... really, anything.
3) Do you plan on sticking with radio?
Yes. It's my first true love.
4) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?
Always keep in touch with people you meet in the industry on a daily basis. Update them on what you're doing. This way, if they come across a project and need/want someone to work beside them, you'll be at the forefront.
5) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?
It's not really crazy, but I put on my best suit, got in my car, and drove to every radio station in Virginia and hand-delivered a copy of my resumé. In today's economy, you have to show intuition and drive like never before.
6) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I'd love to host some sort of talk show. It could be a sports show, or a type of morning show on a music station. I also like producing. It's awesome to piece together a show and see what comes out of it.
7) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs. How do you separate yourself from the pack?
I go in every day and just give each broadcast my all. And by doing so, I've won multiple broadcasting awards for journalism and radio. I always do what is asked of me and more.
8) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
I mostly listen to Sports radio. Outside of that, I listen to a lot of podcasts of various backgrounds and types. In order to better yourself in this industry, you have to be resourceful. You have to look at other broadcasting types in order to really gauge what people are talking about.
9) Are you able to slow down and enjoy free time doing things with your family and friends that you probably did not have time to do while you were working?
Of course. Though my family lives in New York, I still find time to hang out with friends. It's important to set some time away and as Aaron Rodgers said "R-E-L-A-X Relax."
10) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
When I was 17 years old and I was starting out in college radio, I told my friend at the time who was the GM of the station, "One day I'm going to work for ESPN Radio." And years later I'm working for an affiliate, albeit part-time. But I carried out my promise.
Bonus Questions
Any books you can recommend to people who need something inspirational to read?
I love to read comic books. I'm a Marvel guy, though I read all publications. My favorite right now is Deadpool. To me, any type of superhero comic is inspirational because the protagonist is usually someone who feels small, but later on goes on to do great things with their powers. I just read The Amazing Spiderman #13 and there's a line Peter Parker says which is, "It's not the power of the spider that makes any of us who we are! It's the will of the man!" That right there can put fire and a high sense of worth in anyone.
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