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10 Questions with ... Jessica Vasquez
June 2, 2020
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started as an intern in 2005 with XHTZ(Z90.3)/San Diego. I became a Promotions Coordinator for XHRM (MAGIC 92.5)/San Diego in 2007 before briefly taking on the role of Continuity Director in 2015 for Local Media San Diego and then accepting my current position as Promotions Director with American General Media in Santa Maria in 2017.
1. What got you into radio?
I graduated high school in 2005 with no clue what to do besides to go college like I was supposed to. But I wanted a focus, something I’d enjoy, so I thought back to a middle school career project I’d done about being in radio. It still sounded fun so I applied for an internship and 15 (yikes) years later I still enjoy every minute!
2. What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
An actress. Before I realized I hated people staring at me. Another win for radio!
3. What was the biggest change in the move from San Diego to Santa Maria?
Besides leaving everyone I know for a small town I could barely even place on the map, probably just the pace of life. My commute to work went from 45 minutes to 5 minutes! I’m so spoiled to have everything so close by now. I complain if I have to travel more than a few miles to get anywhere or if traffic slows below 60 on the freeway!
4. Life experience that best prepared you for being a promotions director?
Being a weird kid. Promotions takes a lot of creativity, imagination, and thinking outside the box!
5. What would probably surprise most people about Santa Maria?
It’s chilly! When people think of central California they think the desert. Santa Maria is in a large valley just off the coast so it rarely gets above 75 all year long and there’s always a cool, natural breeze. But it still never gets too cold! It’s probably why we have the best strawberries and wine vineyards.
6. Who is your favorite "Follow" on social media?
Humans of New York. I think those little insights into the lives of ordinary people are exactly the kind of REALNESS social media needs.
7. If you weren't in radio, what do you think you'd be doing professionally?
I like to think I’d still be doing some sort of event planning. I love watching listeners and the community come together and enjoy something we worked so hard to put together. It’s the best.
8. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I'm a mom so a lot of my time is spent being “boomer” (despite being born in the 80s, but whatever) to my pre-teen son. But I also love spending time at the dog beach with my rescue pup or lounging at home binge watching trashy reality TV shows with my boyfriend and a bottle of wine. And when I get the chance, I love traveling or a nice road trip. I’ll go absolutely anywhere - just to say I’ve been!
9. If you could be on any TV reality show or game show, which would you want to be on?
Wheel of Fortune! I watched it as a kid with my grandparents and it’s still on my TV every evening after Jeopardy. And I still impress myself by solving the puzzles...from the couch.
10. The Voice or American Idol?
Oh man. What does it make me for admitting I’ve never really watched either? I did recently enjoy Eddie Murphy’s parody of The Masked Singer on SNL...if that counts for anything.
Bonus Questions
If you had to eat one type of meal everyday for a month, what would it be
Or anything with noodles!! From spaghetti to pho, just give me the carbs.
Santa Maria could really use more __________?
Italian and Vietnamese food, now that I’m thinking of it. But if you ever want an amazing taco or tri-tip sandwich, this is THE town!!!
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