Instead of going to school on Friday I go to work. 

For my class, Career Work Exploration 30, I chose a work place and had to complete a total of 80 hours working and doing different tasks. I chose to come to West Central Online/ Country 104.

I have been interested in going into journalism after I graduate, completing this work experience has helped me make my decision in that I can see myself being a journalist. Not only do I see myself as a writer but I have really enjoyed my time in the studio recording for Country 104. Being a radio broadcaster is not something I have thought of before as a career choice for me, but the more I do it the more I love it.

Every Friday I get a taste of what a career of being a journalist and radio broadcaster is like. 

My day starts with a cup of coffee and then I get to work perusing news outlets for any new leads I could potentially write about, as always I eventually get stuck and ask Brittany and she tells me what I should do. My first few articles were on some school events that were taking place in Luseland: Luseland Students Take Part in Science Fair and Music Festical Fun in Luseland.

I also had some fun by changing it up and writing blog posts for the Country 104 blog: Introducing Julie Patton, Just Dance, Perform Onstage With Carrie Underwood, and Carrie Underwood: The Cry Pretty Tour 360.

My favourite article I wrote was the article Vaping Posing a Problem in Schools, it was an idea I had thought of on my own and gave me a chance really experience what being a reporter was like. I interviewed Luseland School’s principal, did some research, and really had lots of fun writing the article.

I’ve also had the chance to write up some RCMP Calls for Service reports, although it is not as interesting as writing articles for an event it still gave me the experience of what the job is like.

My mornings normally consist of writing articles for West Central Online or a blog post for Country 104. I also got lucky with my work experience day, I work every Friday which also happens to be the team’s best day. Every week it is Fritter Friday and somebody brings a snack into the office for everyone to enjoy. 

Every Friday is a new treat which has consisted of: s’mores, cake, cinnamon buns, pizza pockets, breakfast sandwiches, and all other kinds of snacks that get brought in. Once noon hits I leave for my break and go out to enjoy a healthy meal with my friends at McDonald’s.

After my break I come back to the office and spend the afternoon writing or recording in the studio. My first recording I did was of the weather, as simple as it was I got many texts about that little recording that played all day.

After I got used to recording weather, news scripts, and country calendar updates they put me in the studio to record music breaks. This was at first very scary and confusing as I had no idea what to say. It was easy to record other times for I had a script but doing the music breakers was a whole other game.

I started with doing breaks during the non-stop country block; I can’t say that the first few times I recorded I had the best breaks but the more I did it the better I got. I now can’t wait for that part of the day to be able to have some fun and just enjoy my time recording for in the studio. 

Every Friday I give my family an update as to what times I’ll be playing during the weekend. I have got so much support from my family, the community, and my friends. It is so heart warming and puts a smile on my face every time somebody stops me to tell me how great I’ve been doing on the radio or in an article.

They joke with me in office that I could drop out of school now and join the team, and although that would be very nice I plan to finish High school and continue into University.

I have been very happy with this work experience and really feel as though it has given me a real taste as to what the job is like. After all 80 hours I know for sure now that this job would be for me.