Profile

Just Call Her Boss 

By Pamela Levine 

When Mimi Griswold talks, people listen. As the morning news reporter for radio stations WTKW and WTLA in Syracuse, NY, Mimi helps people all over town get their day started with news, weather, and other important information. But after she turns off the microphone, Mimi becomes "The Boss." In addition to her on-air job, Mimi is also the operations manager for these stations and seven others owned by The Radio Corporation in the central New York area. 

Changing Stations 

Mimi didn't start out looking for a career in radio - instead, she went to college to study journalism. "My dream was to write for Rolling Stone magazine," she laughs. But a job after college writing for a local radio station quickly changed her mind. 

"I started asking a lot of questions and learning the business," she explains. "They asked me to try going on the air. I wasn't afraid to give it a shot. I didn't know the radio business, but I knew a lot about music." Mimi soon got experience in all areas of the radio business, including selling commercials. 

At the Controls 

Now operations manager, she's in charge of everything that goes out over the airwaves on nine stations, including the music and special station promotions such as contests and concerts. In addition, she oversees a staff of 20 on-air personalities. "The best part of a career in radio," says Mimi, "is that it's different every day. It's an upbeat, happy business, with no limit to your creativity. You can really have a lot of fun with it." 

What's the worst part? "The paperwork," Mimi admits. "I don't care for the non-creative part." However, she adds, "Even though things happen fast in radio and there can be a lot of pressure, you see immediate results. When the station plans an event such as a contest, and hundreds, or even thousands, of people participate, that's a great feeling!" 

One of Mimi's favorite parts of her week is the show she hosts every Sunday morning called Blue Moon Café. "It's three hours of every fantasy with music you could possibly want. There are no rules ... no boundaries ... which is very unusual in radio," she says. And while she admits she sometimes hates having to get up early on Sundays to do the show, she loves it once she's there. "I get to play all my favorite music, which is also the listeners' favorite music!" Mimi adds. 

You're On the Air 

To anyone considering a future career in radio, Mimi offers some great advice: get all the experience you can with any form of communications. 

"The most important thing is to learn all about sales and business," she says. "Get involved in fundraisers at school. Join clubs. Anything that prepares you to deal with the public is great! I think the best radio people come from broad backgrounds. They are educated and know how to communicate well with other people."

If you think you're too young to try to get some actual radio experience, think again! "Start at age 13 or 14," Mimi suggests. "Don't be shy. Call whoever runs the local radio station and ask for an internship. Tell them you really want to learn all you can about the business. Why not? We're always looking for someone who is anxious to learn." 

And finally, Mimi offers these words to aspiring radio stars, whether your goal is an on-air job, management, or, like Mimi, both. "Be as open-minded and confident as you can. Be good at your game. I think this applies to any job or career. Ultimately the best will be rewarded." 

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