Media and Film: Broadcasting major Hannah Byrom has a passion for radio and an internship that most broadcasting students would find hard not to envy. Check out this interview with the former WKNJ radio host to get an inside look at the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show from a motivated collegiette’s perspective. Don’t be surprised to find Hannah hosting one of your favorite radio shows one day!
Her Campus Kean: What is your major and why did you choose to pursue it?
Hannah Byrom:My major is Media and Film: Broadcasting. I actually started here at Kean as a Speech Pathology major, but changed halfway through my freshman year. I am really into entertainment news, music, and talking, so it was the perfect match for me.
HCK:When did you start interning at z100?
HB:I started interning for Elvis Duran and the Morning Show in January.
HCK: What’s your favorite thing about interning there?
HB:I have so many favorite parts of working there! First, since the show is syndicated in over 40 stations across the US, I get to answer phone calls from people all across the country which can be really interesting to say the least! I also love the work environment as a whole. It’s very fast paced, but everybody is so helpful and wants you to really learn and understand your work. Also, we tend to get a lot of food from different places around the tri-state area, and that is never a bad thing!
HCK:Is there any particularly exciting experience that stands out in your mind?
HB:Every day is exciting because it’s always different from the day before. The job is really unpredictable. One day I remember they played a game on air where Greg T. was getting hit in the privates… there’s always something crazy going on in the studio! I would say any day that we have a guest in the studio is exciting. So far I’ve been lucky enough to work on days that Nick Jonas, Diggy Simmons, Vinny and Deena from Jersey Shore, and One Direction have visited for interviews.
HCK:Does the internship involve any coffee runs or copy making like many do?
HB:The internship does require occasional coffee runs and copying, but it isn’t bad like people think it is. We work 2 times a week, once at 5 a.m. and once at 7:30 a.m. If you are the person who comes in at 5 a.m. for the day, you do get Carolina and Elvis a coffee from the Dunkin Donuts that is less than 2 blocks away. It is never a, “go get me coffee,” kind of thing though. It’s always a, “here is money, can you please get me coffee, and make sure to get yourself one too,” kind of deal. As far as copies go, also if you are the early shift, you have to help with show prep and make copies of listener emails for all the hosts. Definitely not a hard or boring task because while I am making the copies, I always skim through the emails and some are so crazy!
HCK:Are you involved in any organizations or activities on campus?
HB:I used to host a show on WKNJ with Dan Specht and Mike Coscarelli called Holy Smokes. Because of my schedule I haven’t had a show this year. I am the manager of the residence hall game rooms.
HCK:Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
HB:It’s hard to say exactly where I see myself in 10 years. I hope to be hosting a radio show that has either a Top 40 or Country format. To start my career, I know I am going to have to move wherever I can find a job in radio to gain on air experience, but I want to end up either in California or back in NYC. I don’t have any preferences other than that. As long as I am working I’ll be happy wherever I am in 10 years.