I recently wrote about the myth of overnight success, and that switching careers often requires years of work to catch up on skill and salary level. This idea rings true for Shelley Irwin, a former physical therapist who went back to school at age 38 to pursue a career in radio. More than a decade later, she's an award-wining radio host at WGVU in Grand Rapids. She loves her job, but says the climb wasn't without sacrifice, from early morning wakeup calls to a steep pay cut to little room for relationships. We spoke over the phone a few weeks ago.
How did you wind up in physical therapy as your first career?
I wanted to be a successful career person, so to speak, so I chose a career in physical therapy. My parents were very focused on academia, and I didn't have a role model who said, oh think about your ‘dreams'.
Part of me always wanted to be in the spotlight. When I was in college in and grad school, I didn't have the self-confidence to pursue a career as, say, an actress or in broadcasting, but at that point it didn't bother me. I didn't ask myself ‘what am I doing' as I took my therapy boards.
What sparked your interest in radio?
Deep down, it was something I'd always wanted to do. I was working in Rochester, Michigan, in a secure, eight-to-five outpatient physical therapy job. It was a really nice job, but I was getting a little bored. I started running Marathons as a hobby, to keep myself busy.
I went to an arts festival one day and walked up to a deejay there and asked, "what's life like working in your business?" We had a nice conversation. He suggested I check out a technical school called Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts. I went down there to inquire about taking a class, and I was hooked.
When you went back to school, you were about 38. What was that experience like?
Most of my classmates were between ages of 18 and 21. What I loved was that the school was completely hands-on. You pushed the buttons right away. A technical school was good for me because I just didn't want to go back to four more years of journalism school and then do an internship. I was focused on what I had to do and how this school could assist in helping me meet my goals. I wasn't interested in the boys! I even had perfect attendance.
I also kept my day job through the schooling. I did physical therapy from three to seven every day, and then also had the Saturday morning radio internship. I had to be there at 4 am! But I knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I never questioned what I was doing. Along the way, I had some great opportunities while producing to travel to Paris, Germany, and get real experiences--but of course I also poured coffee and served food to the reporters.
What other sacrifices did you make during this time?
I purposely made the decision I probably shouldn't be searching for relationship at this time. Did I date? Yes. But 10 years ago the "Eharmony"-type dating sites were not as popular as they are now. I knew that [while I was changing careers] there was no room for a serious relationship, and I was running out of time for babies, so I chose to pursue the love of career. It's a choice. Following a big dream can require a little bit of selfishness. I felt like I couldn't be tied down.
How did you land your current job?
At the two-year mark [at the station where I'd been producing], I had a conversation with the news director. I was making like $10 an hour, filling in on the weekends. I asked the news director if there would be more reporting opportunities. He told me I didn't have the right broadcast voice. That hurt. I didn't confront him, or ask for feedback on getting better. I said, "I appreciate you're telling me that" and started networking for jobs elsewhere. I went back to Specs and asked them to keep me on their radar if they heard of any host openings. Something opened up in Grand Rapids, and I pursued and got it.
Looking back, not being desperate worked. I knew it was time to leave a too-comfortable situation--to challenge myself. I figured, there has to be another opportunity somewhere else instead of fighting for part-time work here. I knew I wanted to be a host, not a producer. Also, I was by then 41 years old and COBRA was running out!
Let's talk about the money. Do you make the same money today as you did as a physical therapist?
The progression financially has been like the turtle and the hare. I'm still a turtle. I'm just now making the amount that I made staring out first job in physical therapy - and I've been here 10 years. I get great perks and it's fun. I live very frugally. For some reason, I just don't seem to mind or let that be any type of damper.
