Former Pierce College students Tommy Jaxson and Randy Kerdoon, both commercial radio broadcasters, spoke to students in the Great Hall Tuesday, as part of the media arts speaker series.
Both got their start in radio on the original broadcast station here at Pierce College.
“It’s nice to see in 35 years the parking situation hasn’t changed,” said Kerdoon after he and Jaxson arrived late to the Great Hall in the afternoon.
Jaxson and Kerdoon, who worked on campus, are now working together on KNX 1070, a morning show.
“Pierce College Radio means so much to me,” said Jaxson. “It was a tremendous learning experience for me.”
The old broadcast radio station was run much like KLOS 95.5 at the time, according to Jaxson.
“We were trying to emulate the top 40 radio stations,” said Jaxson.
Kerdoon who grew up wanting to be a sports commentator also attributes his success in the field to Pierce College radio.
“I wanted to do commentary on the school games so I took an old reel to reel deck to a game at El Camino College,” said Kerdoon. “Eventually I was traveling with the team to every game.”
Jaxson and Kerdoon who both have very successful careers in commercial broadcasting informed students of the difficulties of making it in the industry.
“The vehicle was here for us to do what we wanted to do,” said Jaxson. “But if you want to make it in this industry you have to have a lot of passion to do this job.”
They warned students of the trials of trying to make it in the broadcast industry. Both offered stories of all the years they bounced around the country from station to station before getting their big breaks.
“We love this gig,” said Kerdoon. “If you want to do something know that, if you want to learn you have to do it.”
Jaxson and Kerdoon spent time answering questions on interviewing techniques for students and offering advice for those interested in the business.
“It was pretty insightful,” said Maksud Yusabov, a 20-year-old journalism major. “When I came I didn’t think it would have this much relation to journalism.”
The Media Arts Speaker Series will be hosting its next event May 18th at 3 p.m. in the Great Hall. The event will feature Documentary Film maker Scott Anger.
The events are open to all students and faculty and refreshments are available.
“You have to want it,” said Kerdoon about the broadcasting industry. “If you want it bad enough, you’ll find a way to get there.”