One day in 1st grade, Mrs. Diehl asked us to mold clay using our imaginations. I transformed my colorful lumps of terracotta into a microphone, and went around interviewing fellow classmates. I told the other kids I'd be on the radio someday. Countless hours were spent in my room playing radio, recording dozens of "shows" on to cassettes. I may have waited until I was a little older to pursue my dream, but that childhood prognostication proved to be true. Many people who have a passion for radio dream of just being the "DJ;" playing their favorite records and chatting them up on the air. That was me, and I'm grateful to have had that experience right out of college, hosting mornings for a AAA station at my first big gig.The instructors at Columbia College Chicago made sure we understood the importance of learning everything we possibly could in this business. Doing so in the real world paved the way for discovering a new passion: Commercial Production.I love having several outlets to release my creativity, and radio production provides many. My first Production Director position allowed me to hone my skills and intuition for picking the right music, sound effects and voices. I learned the importance of forging strong relationships with clients---AND to always pick the right battles, while remaining tactful and diplomatic with the sales force. Voicing spots almost every day provided the seasoning I needed to branch out as a Voiceover artist. Voicing for television and agencies requires a completely different style, and my several auditions a week keep me engaged in improving my acting skillsI also love creative writing, and the day I was given the title of copywriter---to compliment my role as Production Manger---was a huge thrill for me. Writing, voicing and producing commercials never feels like work. It's a dream come true!I'm forever grateful to be doing what I love for a living. I can't wait to see what my kids do with their clay.