Blog Post: Career as a Freelance Radio Journalist

There are two desks in her home. One desk is illuminated by sunlight in her living room, where she makes a lot of phone calls and tries to line up interviews. The other desk sits in a converted garage, outlined by various plaques and awards that serves as motivation to produce another award winning story. This is where she spends hours working with audio equipment, that is, when she’s not logging tape on the couch with an episode of Golden Girls in the background. This is the working environment of Rene Gutel, a freelance radio journalist.

“What I’ve been able to do is basically set up my own shop and hang up my own shingle, and ensure that I will have work. I’m basically my own boss. I have to produce stories, a certain amount each month in order to pay the bills. I work on contracts for different outlets,” said Gutel, who contributes to outlets like National Public Radio, World Radio Switzerland, and Radio France International. “Who knew that there was a job that would pay you to run around with a microphone all day, interview people about their lives, and produce small snippets about them?”

Pursue the Passion produces weekly career interviews featuring people working their job. Occupations range from CEO’s to goat farmers, rocket scientists to tattoo artists. You can view a complete list of interviews at www.pursuethepassion.com.