I think one of the strangest transitions for me since moving here is the capped internet. I was aware of the cold and the darkness; I knew the scenery would be different and the seasons would change drastically. But for some reason I can’t get over the internet.
I’m probably the most pop culture obsessed volunteer in the house. Without the power to stream television and music to my heart’s content, I’ve turned to new means of entertainment. How about podcasts? They’re mostly free and easy to download and you can find a series about anything really.
Lucky for me, NPR’s This American Life spinoff crime series Serial has become an unexpectedly huge hit in the past couple weeks. I look forward to Serial every Thursday the way I looked forward to Breaking Bad every Sunday. I want to talk theories with any one who will listen.
For me, Serial is a little more than a remarkably intriguing “who done it” story. Serial represents a possible career path after this journey. I spent 2 and a half years between graduating college and ending up in Nome trying to find my place in the media industry. A bachelors degree in Audio/Radio Production landed me in many an unpaid internship, and a few paying jobs in marketing, television, reception, and making coffee. Safe to say none of them captured my interest long enough to stay.
I knew getting into a creative field wasn’t going to be easy. And there were plenty of days I resented my choice. Days I wished I had just majored in business or something with a more steady, stable future. But I knew that ultimately, that wouldn’t work out either.
Sure, Serial has its flaws, I’ve read many a think piece on its execution and ethics. But in a world where flashy graphics and edgy content and “clickbait” seem to reign, isn’t the success of Serial refreshing? That people can find joy in a story in its rawest form. That some great reporting and light audio production are still compelling? That maybe radio can still get people excited?
Working with KNOM has reminded me that audio/radio is the field that I want to be in. It’s reminded me of the skills I acquired, and why I chose to pursue such a crazy major in the first place. Serial has shown me that maybe there’s some hope for that to translate into a career. That maybe when I’m finished here and searching for a job next summer, opportunity might be out there. So Sarah, if you ever need any help, I got you.
