SCAN highlights School of Communications alumni who recently landed jobs in their field. Kevin Niemeier (BA, Broadcast Journalism, 2003) works as board operator for KMOX-AM 1120 in St. Louis.



SCAN: How did you land your job?
Kevin Neimeier: I landed my job without ever applying for it. Someone I know was the program director for Y98 and I had applied for a part time job there, but he knew I wouldn’t get the job there so he referred me to KMOX and they called me wanting to set up a time to meet, after the meeting I had a job offer and that was three years ago.

SCAN: When did you realize this was the career for you?
KN: I realized it was the career for me during the last half of my senior year in high school. The bell wasn’t working and some old lady was going on the PA announcing when class was officially over. The teachers and students couldn’t stand her sound so I gave it a shot, and was offered to try the announcements in the morning and afternoon. I had fun with it. For once, the students actually listened to it because it wasn’t done by the valley-girl voice with the annoying giggles.

SCAN: Any advice for those looking for a job?
KN: The only advice I have would be to utilize your networks that you obtained through internships. It’s not entirely about your degree; it’s about who you know.

SCAN: Any classes you wish you would’ve taken at Webster but didn’t?
KN: I wish I would’ve taken an introduction to Public Relations course because it would help me bring something to the table. I’ve seen more full time PR openings than openings in my field.



SCAN: Best on-the-job experience so far?
KN: I run the board at KMOX in the afternoon and it seems like most of the breaking news occurs during that time of the day. The most hectic time in studio for me was when Praxair blew up.

SCAN: Worst on-the-job experience so far?
KN: My worst experience would be using remote equipment like the Vector because it likes to drop at a moment’s notice, or when we have a host in Phoenix on the air and his equipment won’t receive our connection, thus having no host and a lot of fill time.

SCAN: Company you’d kill to work for?
KN: I’d love to work in the communications office at Anheuser-Busch, they offer great pay and great benefits for their employees.

SCAN: What Web site is your home away from “Home”?
KN: In one word, Google. You might not believe how many people in broadcasting use Google when looking up information.

SCAN: Best way to fuel creativity?
KN: Usually the best way to fuel creativity is to not thing about it. The funniest stuff usually occurs without your influence and you can just take it and run with it. In November, President Bush pardoned and named two turkeys, listening to it reminded me of Frank Caliendo’s bit on Letterman when he portrayed Bush and said “Gobble Gobble.” Put the two together and you have a funny rejoin.

SCAN: What’s on your desk right now?
KN: I don’t have a desk at work; I have three computer hard drives and a board with approximately 25 faders that include hundreds of sources of audio.

SCAN: Favorite fringe benefit of your job?
KN: The best fringe benefit would be free tickets to events.

SCAN: Is your current salary more or less than you expected to be making at this point?
KN: My current salary is about what I expected coming out of college.

SCAN: What’s on your iPod?
KN: I have just about everything on my iPod ranging from country, oldies, 80s, 90s, and today. Sounds like a station liner doesn’t?

SCAN: Any bumper stickers on your car?
KN: I don’t have any bumper stickers on my car, but I do have a Webster Alumni thing on my rear window.

SCAN: Last movie you saw?
KN: The last movie I saw was “When Harry Met Sally” on cable at my fiancés place.

SCAN: Things you miss most about Webster?
KN: I miss being with all of my friends. When graduation occurs everyone goes their separate ways and you start losing track of them, and I also miss the faculty because they were cool and told you what it’s like in the field so you know what to expect.

Did you just land a job in your field? E-mail scan@webster.edu and tell us about it.

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• Words from the Dean

• Julie Clark ’01
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• The Film Must Go On: Webster Senior Rises
  to the Challenges of Producing a Film Abroad
• On Air: Student-Run Radio Station Returns

• Angela Cartnal ’03
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• Kevin Niemeier ’03
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• Roberto Salas ’06
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