"Cue the Next Chapter: A Self-Taught Story"

Three careers, one relentless learner, and a future still in draft.

From the beginning of my career, until now, these are my accomplishments, and how I am self-taught in the three careers that defined my work life.

Radio Broadcaster - 80's DeeJay

All through my childhood I was fascinated with performances such as bands, singing and the guy on the radio. From pre-teen and on I had a makeshift radio studio in my bedroom, complete with two turntables, a reel to reel and cassette. I went to radio stations and got the American Top 40 with Casey Kasem, even old Robert W. Morgan and Ralph Emery shows and PSA’s on albums and 45RPM records. Being an on-air talent was my goal.

I landed my first radio job at the hottest station in the local market. Eventually went fulltime doing the midday position. I always enjoyed the idea that former classmates that were still in high school were hearing me on the speakers in the lunchroom. Eventually, because of my energy, I ended up at nights from 6pm to midnight. This was the start, and I was fulfilling my dream.

Throughout the 80’s I worked nights and afternoon drives. I had great ratings and was fortunate to usually land jobs at the top stations in the market. Unfortunately I had an ego too big for a bus. Who knows, maybe that’s what I needed at the time to be the success needed for ratings and belief in myself.

Video Editor - From Dream To Screen

By the end of the eighties I grew tired of moving from place to place, and I fell in love and did not want to lose what I had by continuing to move around. I switched focus to television and video, landing a part-time job in master control at a television station, then eventually made it to full-time. Being a big dreamer, I put my sights on video editing. I salivated over the idea of operating the switchers, video editors, effects machines and the like.

I worked overnight in master control, and when airing long segments, I would find the operations manuals for the editors and other equipment, copying them, and read them at home. Within 2 years I was a freelance video editor. One day, while working contract for a convention at The Swan at Disney, I had to run three video playback machines on three large screens. I marveled at it and wondered how in the world that was done.

When we moved to North Carolina I got a contract job at the largest and most coveted businesses in the area as a video editor. I helped them start up a video production house making commercials, music videos, promotional videos and videos for the corporation. And that three screen video I ran at The Swan at Disney... I was learning how and created multiple videos just like it and as complex during my position as an editor there. Plus I most always worked closely with clients/producers to create their vision. All self-taught, with people answering questions as needed along the way. I did this for about ten years.

PHP/Web Developer - I Enjoyed It, Until I Didn't

The internet came around and I got the bug to learn how to make websites. Again, all self-taught, and with the help of people in my life that could answer questions and give me the chance I needed. I eventually moved to another department in that business and was learning the ropes as I went along. A friend introduced me to PHP, and I dove in. I worked in that position for about seven years until I was part of a downsizing. I was fortunate to have been given three months notice.

On my last day I was hired to work for a credit union where I applied my PHP skills as a web builder/coder to help them with their website. After that my focus turned to building internal web applications that would help managers and co-workers accomplish their jobs easier.

As those years went on, technology grew and I was also growing… bored. It was difficult to keep up with all the changes, and my desire to grow waned. I worked for them for seventeen years until, again, I was downsized.

And Now... ?

Here I am, in my early sixties wondering what I am going to do next. Coding is far from attractive to me. Though I would consider a junior position as a PHP developer. Lots to catch up on. But as you read up to this point, I’ve proven that I can learn to fill the gaps.

My real love is video editing. I’d love to be doing that again. Especially with how software has advanced the field. I even helped create the first Avid non-linear studio with the company in North Carolina. The guy I taught to do it ended up running the department. I’ve kept my eye on the latest video editing software, and am confident I can do well. I only lack deeper knowledge for generating effects. But boy would I love to learn it with real projects. I have zero doubt these things would be but only a small learning curve.

Being self-taught has shown me what my father always said, “You can do anything if you put your heart into it and have the desire for it.” The issue is finding someone that would have the patience similar to what was given as I started in all my careers.

Currently, I am back at being on-air talent for an 80’s station. It doesn’t pay a living wage. For example: I get paid two and a half hours for a five hour shift, voice tracking (pre-recoding the show hours, sometimes days, ahead of time) an evening’s show, at $15 an hour. I look at it as something to do, but there is absolutely zero room for advancement.

So here I am, hoping that I might get lucky one more time. It is difficult job hunting when I don’t have anything recent to show off. That’s where radio was easy. I have a voice that can do the job, and a face for radio. But I am open to learning new things, particularly in video and radio. I feel that I’ve been a success in all I have accomplished. I just can’t figure out how to convince a company that I am worth the time and effort.