Profiler - Amy Austin

Each issue of OFF! highlights someone who has achieved success in his/her field. This issue's pick is Amy Austin of Mix 104.7.

Stats:

Age - 24

Education - May 2000 Grad of Semo Major Public Relations and Minor Criminal Justice

Home Town - Cape Girardeau, MO

Marital Status - Single/boyfriend

OFF! - How long have you been in radio?

Amy - I've been in radio and with the same company Withers Broadcasting since August of 1996.

OFF! - Was this your first career choice?

Amy - Radio was not my first choice. I attended Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff on a Softball Scholarship/Marketing Scholarship. I wanted to go into therapy, but then leaned toward Sec Education with a minor in coaching. I then discovered it to be difficult to hold down a full time job and fulfill the requirement of teaching without getting paid. I then thought of what I would like to do and what I am good at, Mass Communications. I then studied for 4 years at Southeast in Mass Communication emphases in Public Relations. I wouldn't change my career choice for the world. I love being on the radio and I love doing promotions for our station.

OFF! - What's the best part about this job?

Amy - The best part about my job would be the internal and external public. The staff we have here at Withers is phenomenal. I love everyone in every department; we have a great team! I love most of the listeners, they are the ones that make my job possible and I love talking to them. I love helping out with career days for the schools and helping out with promotions. It feels really good when I accomplish projects everyday.

OFF! - And the worst?

Amy - The worst thing about my job would be the numerous amount of hours and weekends, another complaint would be annoying listeners. There are times when you just want to strangle listeners. Some listeners have nothing better to do than prank call the station over and over; it can cause lots of problems.

OFF! - I'm sure you take some strange call while you're on the on the air, any worth mentioning?

Amy - I haven't had to many strange things. One that pops in my mind is an older obsessed fan of a certain band. He did what he could to try and get this 'one hit wonder' back on air. He sent me like 12 tapes of everything they ever recorded. He would call me from pay phones and send me gifts and letters...really strange individual. Don't get me wrong I love gifts!

OFF! - What do you like to do in your spare time?

Amy - Spare time -what spare time? I've been finishing up school with a full load.

OFF! - Where do you plan to go from here as far as your career is concerned?

Amy - So what do I do now? Well I start an internship at KBSI and I picked up a night job to occupy my time. I play softball on Monday nights. I know I'm nuts!

If I had time, I like the outdoors, fishing, floating, camping, boating, and trying to get some type of physical activity in (riding my bike or jogging).

I have no future plans as of now. I looked at working in St. Louis doing a PR job for a music industry, but turned it down. The big city wasn't my thang! I plan to work here for now, after all the benefits are great and I like my job!