Page 36 - Final Inspirational Women Issue

Inspirational Women

rience was in broadcasting, be said on the air and only through their trusts, or make you are dedicated, passionate
with some volunteerism and a run a few sponsor announce- generous donations through- and work hard, anything is
little non-profit work history ments per hour, to provide out their lifetimes. possible. Thanks to this com-
too. With a son in high school viewers and listeners with the Karen has come a long munity, to the staff who are
and no husband nor family best possible programming way, literally and figurative- working hard at KPBS, and
to help financially, I found experience. ly, from her childhood and to Karen, for bringing us the
myself in a bit of a pickle!" The spots are tasteful, young adult days in Manches- very best programming avail-
"After six weeks of unem- none promotional and are ter. She has proven that when able on San Diego’s airwaves.
ployment, I accepted an offer informative, so the audience
to work in technical sales for stays with the announce-
Xerox. I challenged myself and ments, rather than switching
was so surprised at the results, to another channel or station
beating the revenue goals in when the ads come on. My Tips for Getting into the Radio/TV
triple digits. However, this was KPBS is membership Broadcasting Industry
not the right fit industry for driven and increasingly de- By Karen Haze
me." livers quality news along with
In October of 2017, Karen educational and inspirational I asked Karen Haze to share with our readers some sugges-
was thrilled to accept what programming. tions for getting into her industry. She suggested the following:
is the favorite position of her "KPBS viewers and listen-
career. After six interviews ers have trust in what they are 1. Research companies that are in that industry find ones that
are growing in the city that you are in, or might want to
and an extensive background hearing, seeing and experi- move to, and keep reaching out to those companies in as
check, she obtained a posi- encing, especially in this era many creative ways as possible.
tion with KPBS TV & Radio of Fake News. KPBS news
in San Diego, as a Corporate is the the opposite of Fake 2. Gear your areas of study to this particular field so that you
Development Executive. News, and because of this, we have the knowledge to back up your enthusiasm.
"I feel so good about continue to see tremendous 3. Don’t give up. When you find companies which you are
what I do now. Everything audience growth with NPR, interested in, don’t give up. Sometimes your timing might
we are doing at KPBS is for and with the BBC and local not be right, but six months or a year later there might be a
the public good, for this KPBS news programs. I grew position available. If you have to get a job in a shoe store or
community, and focuses on up with the BBC, so I was not coffee shop in the meantime, then do that, just don’t give
news, information, the arts, used to the sensationalism of up your dream of working for your ideal company. Per-
and education. It is a quality the typical news in the USA. sistence pays off.
organization, of which I am The BBC respectfully, taste- “To prove persistence pays off I personally knew I wanted
so proud to be a part. I loved fully and accurately report the to work for a specific station group and I couldn’t get noticed
commercial radio and TV news. There is no laughing by them. So, I decided to go to their offices and sit in the lobby,
for many years, it had been and joking, nor shock tactics and ask for the hiring manager, until I could find a way to get
so much fun, but due to the to go for ratings. The news an interview. One morning, I brought Starbucks® coffee for the
cutbacks, I was no longer is serious, and that is how it General Manager and told the receptionist that I needed to
proud of the product we were should be delivered. San Di- see him, or his coffee would be cold. That didn't work. She just
putting out. It was constantly egans won't tolerate less than grabbed it and took it to him. The next day I came back with a
downgraded. professionalism. This is San scone from Starbucks® and told the receptionist that I had for-
gotten to give him a scone when I dropped off the coffee the
At KPBS, I am so proud Diego, America's finest city, day before. After a few laughs and being so persistent, I finally
of the product, both Radio more is expected of us, and at got to sit down in front of him, and he pointed to the large pile
(NPR) and TV (PBS). Also, KPBS we take this communi- of resumes on his desk, telling me that once he got through
I now work with companies ty’s trust very seriously. KPBS all of the resumes, if I qualified, he would call me in for an
who want to do more than is very grateful to all of those interview. I told him that I was qualified, he could hire me and
push out their advertising listeners who make KPBS FM I would be happy to let each person who’d sent in a resume
messages; they are organiza- the number one most listened know that the position was filled. I got his attention and ended
tions who want to show their to radio station in San Diego.” up being hired at the company that I so wanted to
support for this community, What Karen does is only work for.
to give back and to support one part of the fundraising
quality programming." efforts of the non-profit KPBS khaze@kpbs.org
Unlike commercial sta- TV and Radio stations. The KAREN HAZE O: (619).594.2485
tions that can air practically quality programming on Account Executive C: (858).652.2917
any ad content, with a massive KPBS is made possible by ap- F: (619).594.0448
amount of spots per hour, proximately 55,000 contribut- 89.5 FM, KPBS TV,
KPBS has carefully crafted ing members, plus grants and www.KPBS.org
guidelines regarding what can donors who pledge money 5200 Campanile Dr.,
San Diego, CA 92182
Corporate Development
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