10 Questions with ... Chris Harris

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Video Resume:

Started my radio career as an intern with Radio One/DC in 2002. MD/Programming Asst. for WMMJ /Producer for the Tom Joyner Morning Show/Imaging Dir. (WMMJ-WKYS/Washington, D.C.). MD/Programming Asst. (KPRS-KPRT-KPRS HD 2/Kansas City). MD/Programming consultant (WGFT/Youngstown)

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

Lately fitness and bodybuilding have been my passion. I work out six days a week. I use my fitness journey to motivate myself and inspire and motivate others. I also try to keep the faith and trust the process. I've been watching messages from Steven Furtick to help me get through each week.

2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

I've recently started working for the Board of Elections in Kansas City, helping people get registered, getting them informed, and assisting them with voting during the elections. I'm still programming an Urban AC station in Youngstown remotely, still doing production and imaging for various stations and DJs, so pretty much no sleep ... LOL

3) Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.

Not going lie to you, it's hard not getting discouraged, especially when you apply for dozens of jobs. Sometimes you get an interview or sometimes not get an interview ... or not even a response when you know you're perfect for the particular position. It's discouraging learning that you didn't get the position -- and even worse, finding out from other people or sometimes social media or the trades that you didn't get the job. It's frustrating, but that's where faith and trusting the process comes in. So to combat the frustrations, I continue to stream various stations to get ideas. I continue to attend webinars and read articles to learn and be enlightened. I still keep in contact with a few of my mentors to get their advice and encouragement to help me press forward. More importantly I continue not to give up.

4) Do you plan on sticking with radio?

I do, for the time being, radio has always been my first love. I've pretty much done it all from being an intern to promotions to webmaster to programming. I still feel like I have more to achieve with radio.

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

Four years.

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

Keep networking, from going to events to keeping in touch via social media, emails, or by text. Staying on top of the trades. I'm a firm believer in Gary V's $1.80 social strategy. Go to one of the company career sites, find a position whether it's low level or part-time, apply for it, land the opportunity and excel in the position ... get in the system.

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

I check various career sites every morning. I check All Access like I check ESPN and MSNBC, which is pretty much every hour, LOL. Google, Linked In, Indeed, and various contacts.

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

I was living in D.C., and had a Skype interview for position in New York. Three hours later (at 5p), they called asking me to come to an in-person interview. However, the only spot they had available was 10a the next morning. I had to borrow a suit from one of my mentors, get my presentation and resume printed and copied from Kinkos, and caught the 6a train to NYC. Got into town at 9:30, luckily the company was literally located across the street from Penn Station. Knocked out the interview, gave them a killer presentation. Bad news - didn't get the job. Good news - made a few contacts from with different companies and networked with a few people from the TV industry.

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

My next ideal position would be a PD or an APD of a station or stations. I feel like I'm ready to take my career to the next level with an upper-management position. However, I wouldn't rule out being an MD and Programming Assistant again as long as I continue to learn, grow, and thrive from the experience.

10) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?

Not surprised at all. I realize that it depends on the marketplace. In some situations the salaries have been low, but the benefits have been great. As long as I feel like it's the right situation, then it's worth it.

Care to contribute a recipe for our "On The Beach" cookbook?

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

• 2 eggs beaten
• 1 pack of 20 oz of riced cauliflower
• ½ cup of Parmesan cheese
• 1 ¼ cup Mozzarella cheese
• 2 teaspoons of garlic
• 1 Teaspoon of olive oil
• Dash of kosher salt and black pepper
• Marinara or tomato sauce

Pre-heat oven to 425. Heat riced cauliflower for 6 minutes in the microwave. Let it cool for 10 minutes. Use a dish cloth or cheese to squeeze excess water from the cauliflower. Add cauliflower to a bowl, with the eggs, parmesan and mozzarella cheese, olive oil, garlic, and salt and pepper. Mix together until you a nice doughy mixture. Form the crust on a baking pan with parchment paper sprayed with olive oil. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Once the crust is baked, add toppings, I tend to add tomato sauce, turkey pepperoni, bacon, mozzarella, gouda, and cheddar cheese. Bake for 10 minutes. Enjoy!