Wayne State College’s communications department currently has multiple students working part time in addition to being full time students in preparation for post-graduation life.
Becca Arkfeld, an electronic media senior, is currently set to graduate in December but is working at a radio station in Norfolk until then. She is also doing radio hours for WSC’s 91.9 The Cat and finishing a semester’s worth of classes.
Arkfeld is fairly new to the world of radio. In January, she took a class that required her to complete radio hours and fell completely in love. After that, Arkfled started doing hours for The Cat.
“I did a lot of vinyl things,” she said. “I got to use my own vinyl collection, and that’s important to me because I love music. That’s why I really wanted to do radio; I can’t play an instrument and can’t sing, so this is the closest thing to it.”
After discovering her passion for radio, Arkfeld decided to apply for an internship in Norfolk. It consisted of mostly commercial work, but a position opened up within the station shortly after her arrival. Since then, Arkfeld has been hired by U.S. 92 as a morning show co-host and does radio hours every day between 12 and 7 pm.
After graduation, Arkfeld will be signing a two-year contract with U.S. 92 to be a morning show host. While finishing school, she has been able to find a balance between being a full-time student and working for both the college station and Norfolk stations.
“When you love what you’re doing, it’s really enjoyable,” Arkfeld said. “My mental health is 10 times better than it was, surprisingly, because I get up and have a purpose every morning. I love what I do.”
Part of the reason Arkfeld enjoys radio is because of the community outreach she does for the Norfolk station. During harvesting season, the station hosts tailgates alongside farmers’ co-ops, where farmers come and have a meal before having to return to their work in the fields. Arkfeld also embraces the opportunity to work closely with not only farmers, but also local schools.
“We do Stretch Across Nebraska where you can upload photos and videos of you being active and we choose a winner every week,” she said. “The winner gets to select a school, theirs or one in their area, to receive $500. There’s a lot of ways that we get to give back to the community.”
Arkfeld said a dream would be to either have a television or radio show where she interviews people to do good in the world.
“But right now, I am okay with learning and growing at my local station in Norfolk,” she said. “So far, I really love this experience.”
