THEN & NOW

When I was a teen, I wanted to be Jennifer Marlow on WKRP in Cincinnati when I grew up, but was not given the opportunity to go to college to pursue the career as a receptionist. Acting, however, was a closer possibility. Marriage and children being my choice.

I discovered my true career path at 35, after participating in a production of My Fair Lady with the Penobscot Theatre Troupe in Bangor, Maine. My dance partner for the Ascot Gavotte scene was a DJ at WQCB in Brewer, Maine. After a tour of Q 106, I knew exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wanted to talk on the radio ... but I was no Johnny Fever. Nor would I be living in Maine more than another year, so would not be able to enrol in the 2 year program at the New England School of Communications. Plans changed but goals remained. I was able to enrol in college

I recall thinking that the classes other than Radio in my Applied Communication Program (TV, journalisms, desktop publishing & photography) were a waste of time. Boy was I wrong. I eventually morphed into Bailey Quarters after 20 years in radio, using all that I learned at Camosun College where I  started my career at CKMO in Victoria, BC, and was able to continue classes by working part-time as a receptionist at the OK Radio Group (CKXM & CKLQ) After graduation I moved and found work at CISN in Edmonton, AB back when they had live overnights (with a 2 hour request show to boot) and then spent the next 15 years in Medicine Hat, finishing with APD/MD/Afternoon Drive at CJLT.  I retired before 55 (too early) and then recently found myself job searching and decided to pursue my original career choice without any additional schooling. 

Just as radio announcers don’t have just one job to do these days, neither does a receptionist. A receptionist does not just receive clients but manage the intake and outflow of information and are responsible for the appearance of the company. I am a walking, talking, billboards for any company I work for. My skills in web design, photography, social media, promotions, communication and organization have not only enhanced my resume but increased my value in a millennial driven market even though I’m a baby boomer. I have recently become the customer service manager for an electricial company in charge of sales, dispatch and growing the client base. All my prior skills gained from my college classes and my radio career, benefit my current company position today. 


I’m no Loni Anderson, nor am I Jennifer Marlowe. Jennifer is wise, sophisticated, intelligent, and well-spoken” ~ Wikipedia. I’m working on it.