Currently, I'm working for the American Red Cross as the radio program coordinator. If you tune in on the second and fourth Sunday of each month at 5:30 PM to 107.5 WGPR, you'll hear my voice! My job is to come up with show topics, find guests with the community, and create interview questions. We cover a variety of topics including what it takes to be a bone marrow donor to the links between obesity and high blood pressure. No matter what the show topic is, it must relate to the Red Cross' main topic, "blood".

This is a wonderful opportunity, as I am truly using my talents to bring about a program that will encourage many to give "the gift of life". Best wishes to all at Specs!

I never got to thank Mr. Kernen for helping me get this job that I have and I hope you could just pass this along to him. (Note: Roger is currently on-air at 1410 AM WNWZ, a Spanish station located in Grand Rapids, MI).

Paul, Mr. Kernen's friend that works in the sales department, talks to me every day about just anything and has been nothing but nice to me. And Nanette, who works for the morning drive on 95.7 light FM, who is also a Specs grad, has been very nice to me and is making me feel welcome out here.

I know you're a busy man, but if you ever get a chance I am on Sundays from 3pm to 7pm on wgrd.com (the only way you could listen to the shift) but I just wanted to pass that along to you and again thank you and the entire placement staff...

All is well here. The Spanish community has opened up a bit so far but I hope to continue to just steadily improve my Spanish...

Just wanted to thank everyone at Specs Howard for making me learn everything. I am a floor manager at Channel 7 and I would be so lost if I wasn't taught simple things like: how to read a rundown or what an "OTS" shoot was. I am also kicking myself because I desperately thought I wanted to be a news or talk show producer and that's what my demo is -- all producing. Now that I am in the industry, I want to be a reporter and I don't have a darn thing that shows my on-air talents. If you could give advice to your students, please tell them study everything, learn everything and put as much as they can on their demo reel.

Thanks again!

Specs Howard has been very beneficial in my broadcasting career. While attending Specs in 1989, I was hired at Technicolor Packaged Media Group where I was employed until 2001.

In 1999, I went on the air at 90.9FM WDTR for 5 years. This 47,000 watt station is owned and operated by the Detroit Public Schools.

In 2001, I started co hosting with two other Specs Howard
Graduates, Gerald McBride & Andre Key on Saturday
Night Live on Mix 92.3 in Detroit. Our show is now in
syndication in various markets in the United States.

I also have my own company Direct Drive Sound Effects
which offers DJ services, sound systems, voice over
talent, video services and promotional services.

My company has provided services for the following clients: GM, The UAW, Deloitte & Touche, The Detroit Public School District, White Construction, Michael Chevorlet, Henry Ford Health Systems, The Motown Mansion (formally the home of Motown founder Barry Gordy Jr.) just to name a few. I'm truly blessed because this is my passion.

I make money from my passion. God is good!!!

Hey, Dick! I'll fill you in on a little of what went on after Specs. I've been pretty busy. I was still employed at 89X as a promotions assistant, then in the summer/fall of '06 I was asked to do some on-air voice-tracking shifts and some live remotes, which was amazing. I also worked closely with Jay
Hudson and Vince Cannova (program director for 89X), working the music meetings with just us 3. I did about 4 of those and I loved it.

I ended up landing a job for WWCK FM, CK 105.5 in Flint, doing weekends, which within a month I was promoted to the morning show. I did that Mon-Fri and then kept my weekend shifts, working 7 days a week. I did that from about April '07 until now. Next Friday is my last day there. I landed a full time gig with benefits in Bismarck, North Dakota at Hot 97.5 FM doing the night show.

I couldn't be more excited and anxious to get out there and start breaking into the biz! I was actually surprised at the salary they're offering me, but I wont complain!

I know you guys love hearing back from students and I love
hearing from you guys too. I leave for Bismarck Sept. 4th, so I'm going to try to come in and see everyone before I take off if I can. Again, hope all is doing great for you guys and I can't thank you enough for all the help, support, and amazing education I recieved at Specs. It was definitely the best decision I ever made!

FROM: Jeffrey Dekle (RTV-13-97)
SENT: September 7, 2006

I know you guys like hearing what's going on with Specs grads so I thought I'd send you an update. It's been almost exactly a year now since I graduated. I had a job lined up to work for RPM and AME right after graduation. RPM and AME are two companies; we provide new music to radio stations and DJs, and also do custom background music for restaurants and retail stores.

I was originally hired in to do production work for the background music service. After a month and a half, the production director suddenly quit and I stepped up.Now I am in charge of nine monthly CD productions totaling about 20,000 discs and oversee the addition of music for the background music service.

I just want to encourage people to work hard. It's a tough business and there are a thousand people who do what we do. When given the chance, work hard and it will be noticed. I didn't have to be promoted when the production director left. It would've been just as easy for the company to hire someone else, but I got the promotion because of my dedication and work ethic.

www.tophitsusa.com / www.amemusic.com

FROM: Sarah Lane (RTV-13-99)
SENT: July 10, 2006

I’m so grateful for my experience at Specs Howard! I’m working now as a marketing communications specialist for Seco-Carbaloy, an international metalworking supply and tooling company.

Even though I did not directly pursue a broadcasting career, the training I received allowed me to cultivate an enticing body of experience that is highly desired by employers in the corporate communications industry. I also obtained a strong knowledge of business relations and a realistic set of expectations about getting what I wanted by starting small and dreaming big.

Thanks to everyone!

FROM: Terri Lee-Sylvester (RTV-05-05)
SENT: June 12, 2006

I just wanted to send a short note to say “thank you” for always pushing me to do my best.

Thanks to your support and guidance, I was able to land a position as host of the Mid-day Mix on Lansing’s WXLA. I’m on the air Monday thru Friday from 10-2. Now after less than two months on the job, my responsibilities have expanded. I’m producing and hosting a “Community Rap” segment every week. I interview newsmakers about issues of interest and concern to the community. I’m particularly excited about my upcoming interview with former Michigan State basketball star Charlie Bell, who now plays for the Milwaukee Bucks.

When I started at Specs, I dreamed of landing a job like this, and thanks to the hands-on training I received, my dream has come true! Thanks again for everything you’ve done for me!

FROM: Chase Sari (RTV-05-05)
TO: Everyone
SENT: June 19, 2006

It’s been nearly two months at my new gig here at WCSM – 96.7 FM in Celina, Ohio. We’re a full-service AC station with a morning show dedicated to the area farmers! This is a huge German farming area where “I” is “E” and “E” is “I,” along with countless other strange pronunciations. I am truly in the heart of America where God, country and high school sports are everything! I arrive at the station at 4:30 AM to prep for my show, “Chase in the Morning.”

First, it’s ABC news at the top of every hour, followed by my local news and weather. Then I might have the possibility of playing a song or two in between commercials, before I announce the “Citizen of the Day” list, which is birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, etc. Then maybe some quick ad-libs and another tune, which gets me to the bottom of the hour where we run the Ohio Sports Network and another local news and weather.

I also take phone calls from folks who want to buy and sell things, along with more music ‘til the end of my shift at 11:30 AM. The owner is really impressed with my production skills, and I’m getting a lot of compliments from listeners. I’ve already done my first live remote and I’m looking forward to the summer festivals that we’ll be covering.

FROM: Trudy Chase (RTV-12-04)
TO: Dick Kernen, VP of Industry Relations & Kevin Seguin-Scollin, Director of Placement
SENT: June 5, 2006

Dick and Kevin:

I wanted to write a quick note thanking you for all your help with my job search. The advice and support you gave me were so much more than I expected.

On June 5th I will officially be an account executive for Comcast Spotlight – and I’m so excited I can hardly stand it! Comcast is really the place I wanted to be!

FROM: Kelly Cafek (RTV-06-05)
SENT: May 15, 2006

Just dropping a line to tell you how things are going at “The Cruise.” In a word -- AWESOME!

FROM: Jeff Johnson (RTV-02-96)
SENT: May 8, 2006

After graduation I freelanced and pretty much took any job in the business I could get, just trying to figure out where my interests were. And I mean ANY job. I once held a boom-mic on a video shoot in a chemical factory for 12 hours for $75.

I started networking with people in the technical side, and got to work on some multi-cam shoots, at first as a tape operator, then as assistant engineer, and eventually as the engineer in charge. I did freelance around the Detroit area for a few years, and then took a staff position at Hughes, where I was Senior Video Engineer in charge of the video and audio networks. I learned a lot there, but the Michigan winters were the catalyst for my move out west.

I moved out here and went on more interviews than I care to count, but after a couple months things started to happen, and three companies that I interviewed with offered me jobs all in the same week!

I took the job at Warner Brothers working in the broadcast operations division. We’re the origination point for the WB network in SD and HD. We also handle syndication distribution for WB and other companies. We’re a full-digital facility and we deliver our content via satellite to stations across the US and Canada. You can turn on any TV at any time and find something that comes out of our facility. It’s a great company and the work environment is excellent.

Hello everyone back in cold southeast Michigan! I just wanted to let everyone know how I’m doing. I’ve moved west and now live in LA.

I’ve been working in the film industry since January, doing lighting and rigging, and just last month I managed to join Local 80! It’s been my dream since I was a kid to be in the sun and work on movies, and I’m out here making it happen.

Thanks to everyone at Specs for getting the ball rolling and making this possible. If Dick Kernen is still around, and I suspect he is, listen to what he has to say! He knows his <bleep>!

FROM: Damien Mata (RTV-3-03)
SENT: April 10, 2006

Well, I’ve been here at Z-102 in Savannah, Georgia for about a month now, and I’m finally getting into the swing of things. It took some time to get used to the pace, but I think I’ve done it. It’s everything you guys said it would be – hard at first, but if you work hard and have a good attitude, things really do work out for the best.

I interned at Tower 98 in Monroe for a month and was lucky enough to get a part-time air shift and some remotes. I worked hard, and when they fired the midday person I got a chance to on-the-air fulltime! I wanted to go further, and registered on www.allaccess.com, and ended up sending out 36 emails and 25 regular mail packages.

I waited and waited while still sharpening my skills at Tower, and about a month later I started getting answers back, some good, some bad, but it lifted my spirits knowing that I was getting feedback. I received several offers, but I REALLY wanted the job in Savannah that I had been talking to them about. They stopped contacting me for almost six months, but then suddenly I got a call from the PD, who wanted to know if I would come down for a visit.

You can guess the rest – it was hard and frustrating during the wait, but I kept remembering that everyone said that the most important thing was not to give up. I kept working and waited for the job I wanted, and now I couldn’t be happier!

Again, thanks to all at Specs who prepared me for everything that’s happened. My advice to students is to work hard and have a good attitude because people really will notice. Be patient and try not to get frustrated – good things do come to those who wait. Oh, and one more thing – you were right about the engineers!

FROM: Ben Ferris (RTV-2-05)
SENT: March 27, 2006

I love it here at Channel 9 and 10 News in Cadillac, Michigan. I was hired as a photojournalist and get paid to make the news. You work all day, go home, and see what you did on TV! How cool is that?!

I work nine-hour days and it seems like I work two hours! My week goes by so fast – I come in at 8pm and edit the 11pm news. Then at 12 midnight I start working on the morning news. I edit about 30-40 stories and packages for each show. I also run studio cameras for the 11pm if needed.

FROM: Crystal Harris (RTV-12-02)
SENT: March 20, 2006

I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know what’s been going on since I graduated from Specs two-and-a-half years ago. I’ve been working steadily in radio around Detroit since two months after graduation. I’ve been fired, spent one week unemployed, lived on ramen noodles, and found the job of my dreams.

I started at Tower 98.3 in August of ’03 on my 23 rd birthday and worked there ‘til October ’04. I also did a seven-month jaunt at WDRQ, and after being “let go” there, went straight to WQKL 107.1 and W4 Country in Ann Arbor in January of ’05, where I got to host my own show “Sonic Bliss.”

Now I’m back at Tower 98.3 to co-host mornings since last September. All of my jobs have stemmed from all the wonderful people I was able to meet through supportive and encouraging co-workers. I even did a little voiceover work for my current Program Director while he was working at another station. Radio is a very small world, and it’s fun and I’m finding that if you do the right things, you go far!

When I sat at graduation I wasn’t’ sure I would be able to handle actually, really doing radio, and now here I am coming up on three years! Next goal – New York City!

Thanks and take care!

FROM: Staci Williams (RTV-11-04)
TO: Kevin Seguin-Scollin, Director of Placement
SENT: Feb. 23, 2006

I could not believe it when my boss summoned me for a meeting to ask if I would be interested in transferring over from FM to AM! Well, OF COURSE!

I was producing "Up Front" w/ Karen Dumas for Radio One-Detroit on AM 1200 WCHB. Karen's show was canceled at the end of January … I was worried about being unemployed. I felt sooooo low and I immediately was discouraged.

That didn't last long: I had only one cup of tea at my pity party and then moved on. I began to think of ways to improve and work on my craft even as a board op.

Now, here I am, just over 20 days later, the new producer for Mason's afternoon drive show on 105.9 KISS FM. Apparently this was in the works for a while ... thank you, thank you, thank you for all your assistance and constant encouraging words.

One thing is for sure, the climb up the ladder is quicker than one thinks. Who would've ever thought I would work with John Mason, the voice of the Detroit Pistons? I went from being an intern while still at Specs ... to producing an AM talk show just three weeks after graduation, to board op (and then) right back up to producer for one of the most well-known radio personalities in the business.

FROM: Jess Bess (RTV-08-04)
TO: Kevin Seguin-Scollin, Director of Placement
SENT: Jan. 28, 2006

...I have to tell you I have never had so much fun at any job in my life. I have gotten positive feedback from my co-workers at WKFR (Benson doesn't want me to leave...he says I have great potential) and as well as the PD at RKR. I could never have gotten here without Specs, my awesome teachers who brought me out of my shell and the wonderful placement office...you guys should get an award. I have become a shiny happy people...

FROM: AJ Allen (RTV-02-97)
TO: Webmaster, Specs Howard School
SENT: Jan. 3, 2006

So many years have gone by. I've been all over the Midwest and now I finally made it! I set out for NYC as a long-term goal when I got into this business, and here I am with Sirius Satellite Radio.

Is Dick still there? He set me up with an internship at short lived K-Rock in Detroit with a producer by the name of Mitch Todd, who has since hired me in Cleveland and now in NYC, nearly 10 years after I stepped foot in Specs Howard. I've had a hell of a career thus far as a DJ, producer, and voice over artist!

The coolest part, I've only just begun!

WHERE I'VE BEEN:

WKRK (Detroit, MI)
production intern/board op

WBYB (Traverse City, MI)
night jock/production

WKLT (Traverse City, MI)
afternoon jock/production director

WAKS/WMMS (Cleveland, OH)
part-time jock/imaging director for KISS FM stations all across the country

WNOU/WLHK/WXYB (Indianapolis, IN)
overnight jock/imaging director

Sirius Satellite Radio (NY, NY)
Music Imaging Producer

My real name is Allen Dexter, grew up with the name AJ Dexter, but the industry has always known me as… AJ Allen. Peace!

FROM: Ross Raybin (RTV-01-05)
SENT: Dec. 18, 2005

I want to thank you again for the lead on the job in Big Rapids. I absolutely love it. I am the news director over three stations. I do a lot more than news though. 

You guys weren't joking when you said the first year is like an extension of school. I'm learning so much and getting the opportunity to do a variety of things. I get to do news as part of two morning shows from 6 AM to 10 AM everyday, which is exciting. 

After that I do the news once an hour on the AM station until six at night. My afternoons are pretty much made up of commercial production. 

I still think it's weird hearing my own voice when I'm driving in my car. On the weekends I get to DJ for a country station -- which I never thought I would do -- and also for the hot AC station. 

Also right now I get to do play-by-play broadcasting for the high school basketball team which I've always been interested in and got the opportunity. I absolutely love it. 

I was looking for a career I could enjoy and I think I've found it. When I was at Specs I wasn't sure what I wanted to do in the industry and I've had the chance to try it all in a small market. I hope that everything is going well and have a Merry Christmas.

FROM: Ryan Demetrak (RTV-13-04)
TO: Nicole LaDouceur, Video Placement Advisor
SENT: Dec. 5, 2005

I just wanted to thank you so, so much for everything you have done for me. It seems like my hard work will pay off soon, just like you said.

I'm sorry I haven't been in to Specs lately but my life is getting very busy. A couple jobs have come up recently. I interviewed with Amy Weber for the Radish Creative Group a couple months ago, as you know, and although she was hard to meet with and very busy, I finally got the job and have been settling in well as her intern. She is very driven and extremely professional, two things I really wanted to find in an employer. I feel we will have a long relationship together and I hope this is the place to start my career.

Aside from all the job interviews you have setup for me, I also have been sending my resume out and going on interviews. I recently meet with GTN out of Oak Park. I just got hired there as their media coordinator and I will be working in the evening with them. I will be dealing with clients and working with the communication between the editors and the jobs.

That is the update from me. I will be working with Amy in the morning and GTN at night and I am still filming weddings with 11-4 Productions on Saturdays. So ya, I'm pretty busy!!!

Aside from all of that, if you need anything from me please don't hesitate to ask. You have really been a person I have looked up to. I am considering teaching at Specs in the future so you never know if we may work together in the future.

Nicole, thanks again for all the help and putting my resume out there. I know I have worked hard for what I have so thanks for working hard for me as well.

FROM: Brad Weimer (RTV-01-02)
TO: Dick Kernen, VP of Industry Relations
SENT: Dec. 1, 2005

I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I have accepted a job offer from ESPN! It's a step down from what I do at WDIV (Associate Producer at DIV down to P.A. at ESPN) but it's a pay increase, with the potential for upward movement in the company (I pretty much was stuck where I was at WDIV). Plus, I don't have to deal with a news department, which I think is the biggest plus.

I'll be working in remote production, which means I'll be helping with game production outside of the studio. Of course, this means my wife and I will be moving to Connecticut in the next month or so, as the job starts after the first of the year.

It's still kind of surreal to me that I'm going to work for ESPN, since this was the place I wanted to work for since I was about 7 years old. I'm sure it will hit me when I show up for work the first day.

I definitely appreciate what Specs had done for me in giving me the tools to reach my dream job (well, at least dream company. Someday I'll run it! LOL) and if you guys need anything before I move out let me know.

FROM: Bob Lipson
TO: Dick Kernen, VP of Industry Relations
SENT: Nov. 11, 2005

This is very proud papa letting you know Specs graduate Rebecca Lipson (Rebecca Wilde air-name) was recently named top DJ in all of Cleveland. She is still holding down the morning drive slot as well as being the Music Director at Q104 (WQAL).

She is doing great. In addition to her radio work, she is doing some TV stuff for the local FOX station, Channel 8.

Take care and hope to bump into you again, soon.

FROM: Larry Olek
TO: Dick Kernen, VP of Industry Relations
SENT: Nov. 04, 2005

Here's Carol’s statement:

"We are pleased to name Larry Olek (pictured left) as National Sales Manager for Radio One Detroit. During his six-year tenure with Radio One as an Account Manager he has demonstrated his capability to create and implement effective marketing programs for our advertisers.

"The returns of his efforts have been mutually beneficial to our advertising partners and to our company. We are confident his professional skills will translate into continued success in his new role as National Sales Manager for WCHB-AM, WDMK-FM, and WHTD-FM.”

--Carol Lawrence-Dobrusin, Vice President/General Manager, Radio One, Detroit

FROM: Amanda "Paris" Habrowski (RTV-10-04)
TO: Ron Robinson, Mark Pasman, John Stockwell, Audio Instructors; Kevin Seguin-Scollin, Director of Placement; Katie Peters, Internship Advisor
SENT: Sept. 21, 2005

Hey everyone! This is actually the first time I've got in touch with you all and I figured now was the perfect time to give you an update on how I am doing. 

Since graduating from Specs, I've held my internship at Channel 95.5 for quite some time now. Ever since 'DRQ switched to DOUG-FM, I've been interning with Beau on 95.5 during the afternoon drive time (3-7), three days a week. 

It's a blast, everyone there seems to like me and I've gotten plenty of compliments from those at 95.5, 106.7 The Drive and 100.3 WNIC.

I've had the chance to voice multiple commercial spots for each station; report traffic on-air when traffic reporter Devediah takes time off; I interact with Beau during his show messing around with callers and all that good stuff. I even have an on-air name, "Paris" -- haha, I dig it. 

I also have had plenty of practice board-opping with Beau and Shay Shay, both really cool people that I would enjoy working with. Recently, Beau just gave me the good news that he and Dom Theodore decided to put me on payroll. It's nothing big yet but it's a start.

I'm going to be board-opping 2-hour shifts just to continue my practice during the early morning hours, also running the best of Mojo in the Morning when they take time off. Dom also mentioned reporting traffic too. So who knows, all I know is that I'm taking one day at a time enjoying every single minute of it and I owe it all to you guys.

I really learned a lot from Specs, best choice I made by far, by going there. I also talk to Rob Inmann at the station too, he's doing really really well with his engineering gig and also board-opping for WNIC. It's good to see someone I went to school with at the same place, taking it seriously. 

Well that's about all I have for now, I will be sure to update when the time comes. Much thanks again for all you've done and if you ever have time, check out 95.5 between 3-7 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Maybe you'll catch me!

FROM: Brain "Cartman" Pheifer (RTV 9-02)
TO: Kevin Seguin-Scollin, Director of Placement
SENT: Sept. 2, 2005

BIG news in the my life. I am headed for Cheboygan. I will be the new morning show host on THE ZONE. I am amazed, I am gonna host my second morning show. I never saw a first one coming!

I am coming in at a time of change. It's going to rock. I am very glad to have the chance to be a part of it. This time I feel very right taking the job. I am a little further from home, but it's radio. We must sacrifice to move up in the chain. Guess I get to see what happens next!

As you see, the original handle is being thrown back on the air. I missed CARTMAN. It will be nice to put the hat back on. Thanks for your help through my time of spazzing!

FROM: Paula Urcheck (RTV-07-02)
TO: Dick Kernen, VP of Industry Relations
SENT: Aug. 25, 2005

Hi Dick...  Thought you'd enjoy this photo taken with one of my co-workers (from Media…Period) at a WCSX client breakfast on Monday. Pictured right to left: Paula Urcheck, Alice Cooper and friend.

FROM: Crystal Denha (RTV-03-03)
TO: Kevin Bell, Video Instructor
SENT: Aug. 16, 2005

I have been in Chicago for the past 7 weeks shooting an independent film. (I got the lead role!) It's an international film that will be going straight to video.

I have been living in Los Angeles since November of last year. I did a national Superbowl commercial for Napster, I appeared on the NBC show Las Vegas and the comedy Reno 911.

I am busting my butt trying to become a "star." Kevin Scollin called me a couple months ago when he saw me on TV -- it was funny.

I miss you sooooo much!! How's life been for you? How's Specs Howard? Next time I am in Michigan I will be sure to stop by at Specs to see you!

From: Paula Urcheck (RTV-07-02)
TO: Dick Kernen, VP of Industry Relations
SENT: September 13, 2005

This week's photo opp!  Met them at the WB upfront.