“I was miserable in my job, and no longer would I allow someone else to determine the future of me and my family.”

You could accuse me of being a slow learner or a “glutton” for punishment. Either assessment would likely be right. I loved radio and I had spent 12 years doing it. From part time, to full time, to promotions director, to webmaster, on-air host, and assistant program director. Pretty much any job in radio, I held it.

However, after 12 years I was more than weary of being the “utility infielder”. I did everything, but had no true spot that was mine.  It also didn’t help I was making a meager $20,000 a year with no possibility of more pay or a promotion. I couldn’t justify that salary with the hours I was working and the fact that I was newly married and had a family to support now.

My boss was and still is a tremendous friend, however it was out of his hands. I sat in my office in October 2012 when the VP of programming for Cumulus Media came through the office.

“Will, we don’t want to lose you. Stick with me. I’ll head back to John Dickey, we’ll discuss it and I’ll have something for you very soon.”

October 2012 turned into February 2013. Not a single word from Atlanta. That’s when I turned in my resignation and gave up on radio. At the time it was tough, and it hurt. But…it was one of the best decisions I made. Radio was a stop on the road, a valuable experience to where I am today.

Have you had that experience in your life and in your career? Are you tired of depending on some VP to make your life better or your family’s life better? For my radio professional friends, is it time to make your BOLD Career Move?

Radio isn’t getting any better. Radio has killed the radio star, and radio has killed any attempt to be local. The walls are closing in. I urge you to take control of your future and not leave it in the hands of Clear Channel, Cumulus or any of the sort.

Let’s talk about how you can take control of your career.

The first installment of this series can be found here: https://boldcareermove.com/absolutely-miserable/