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10 Questions with ... Mike Santos
January 3, 2006
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NAME:Mike SantosLAST WITH:99.9 The Point, KKPL-FM, Fort Collins, ColoradoPHONE:970-481-5060
Please begin by giving us a brief career history...
The long and skinny:
2001-2004: 90.5 KCSU-FM, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
- 2002-2003: Assistant Production Director
- 2003-2004: Production Director
- May 2004-Dec 2004: Program Director (Left due to Graduation)
August 2004-October 2005: 99.9 The Point KKPL-FM
- started doing weekends and board op, left doing nights and imaging.1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
I rely on my friends and family telling me that I'm not completely useless for going into radio and not being a doctor/lawyer/business guru like everyone else in my family. Ha ha. Honestly, though, I wake up every morning knowing that I'm good at what I do and sooner or later, someone else will realize it as well and take a chance with me.
2) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
I just moved home to the Bay Area after 14 years of living in various other places, so I guess you can say I'm reacquainting myself with my surroundings, listening to the radio, keeping my imaging hand strong, and taking the BART (mass transit system) as much as possible. People watching makes for great show prep!
3) Do you plan on sticking with radio?
To quote Richard Gere, "I HAVE NO WHERE ELSE TO GO!" Shhh, don't tell anyone I ever quoted Richard Gere.
4) What is your best way to get your foot in the door?
Call and introduce yourself. You don't have to get your foot in the door if they invite you in. About two months before I moved, I called/emailed something like 5 stations, told them I'd be in the area and asked if I could sit down with them. PDs are busy people, but usually they'll have time for a 15-20 minute chat session. Bring your tape, too, because you never know what'll happen.
5) So far what has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
Allaccess.com (der!), various corporate websites, i.e. infinitybroadcasting.com, clearcarreers.com etc, and the NorCal Broadcasters Association website.
6) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
Ultimately, I'd love to be an Imaging Director at a station here in the Bay, but I know that I'm gonna have to work my way up to it. So we'll just start with any airshift you got.. I want it. It's gotta be in the Bay Area, though, because this last move destroyed me financially. I don't think I could do another cross country move for awhile.
7) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, emails, rejection letters, etc.)
I'm not gonna lie. At first, it sucked! But it's getting better. I remember when I applied for the night shift at WBCN/Boston. I got a letter from Dave Wellington saying I didn't get the job. It may have been a form letter sent to a ton of people, but just the fact that it was signed "Dave Wellington" in actual pen and not photocopied was enough to make my day. You know what they say, "small things entertain small minds."
8) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs, how do you separate yourself from the pack?
Being of Pacific Island descent, I can fulfill your EOE! Ha ha! No, sorry. I can do everything. Imaging, on-air, promotions, board op, you name it. And if I've never done it before, I'm a quick learner. I love what I do and I'll do anything to stay. In my 5 years of radio experience, I've worn more hats than Common.
9) In your opinion, what has been your biggest career accomplishment in the industry?
"Well, you don't suck." - Sean Demery, PD LIVE105 (after listening to my tape).
10) Is there anything specific that you regret doing, while you were still working?
I did eat hot dogs and bleu cheese one night for dinner because that's all we had at the station and I hadn't eaten all day. I do regret eating that.
Bonus Questions
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
Let's see: In 5 years, steadily climbing the corporate ranks, while maintaining my job at Chuck E. Cheese for a change of pace. 10 years, APD or some other programming type position ... while still at Chuck E. Cheese. Hopefully, by then I'll be manager of my local Chuck E. Cheese. If not, heads are gonna roll. I'm comin' after ya Chuck!
Uh oh ... now you're on your own for getting new music. If applicable, name your three most recent purchases since leaving the biz.
Thrice -- Vheissu (I'm taking part in their remix contest).
Sound Directions -- The Funky Side of Life.
The Sheila Divine -- New Parade. -
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