Kiss 108's Kendra Petrone,producer of the Matty in the Morning show, shares her words of wisdom: "Life is so short, it's important to enjoy what you're doing. Why would you work until you're 65 doing something you hate?"

Kendra, originally from Methuen, MA, always knew that she wanted to be involved in the entertainment industry, but it wasn't until college that she found herself first stepping onto the path to a great career. "I knew that I wanted to be an entertainment reporter, either on TV or the radio. In my fifth year at UMass Amherst, I had a couple extra credits that I needed to fill, and I wanted to do an internship instead of taking a regular class. I got an internship at a rock radio station in Springfield, and I did a whole semester's worth of credits in their promotions department. I was six months into my last year in college, and I got on the air every once in a while, and I would record promo commercials."

Although her career choice is different from those of the rest of her family, her parents were always very supportive of her. "My mother and my stepfather are both teachers, and everyone else in my family is a teacher or a nurse, so I was kind of the oddball, but everyone knew that I wanted to be giving people something interesting to watch or to hear. "She credits her official decision to pursue this career path to her television production teacher in high school. "He was the first person who made it seem like this was really an OK job to have. He made me believe that I could really get involved and it wasn't just a
corny job."

After graduating from college, Kendra worked at WBZ radio in Boston for two years in promotions and as a production assistant on the morning news set. Three years ago she moved to KISS 108 as their producer. "I love it! Radio is crazy backstage, but it has a little bit more laid back way about it. I don't know if I have "made it" quite yet, but I feel like I have reached a great level of success in the sense that I get to wake up every day, come to work and literally enjoy every minute of it," she shares enthusiastically.

In her role as producer, Kendra is in charge of what occurs on the show, preparing the top stories and setting up guest callers. "Guests cancel all the time, it makes the job really challenging. People will call at 2 AM the night before they're scheduled to go on the show after we've been promoting their call for days, so I always have to think on my feet and find someone to fill in at the last minute."

What's her favorite thing to talk about on the show? "Reality television! It's so far-fetched and fake. Celebrities in general are just too perfect, it's kind of fun to watch them screw up left and right and then get a good laugh out of it on the show!"

Working in radio and making her way up the ranks has given Kendra invaluable insight into how to pursue a dream job. "NEVER take no for an answer! Be persistent, formal, polite, and professional. If people try to shove you out the door and try to tell you that you can't do something, prove them wrong. Not enough women realize that this isn't a man's world anymore."

Kendra's personal motto speaks volumes about her character. "I would always so much rather be homeless and happy with my life and with someone that loves me, than be wealthy, miserable, and all by myself." These are words that we can all live by.

To hear the Matty in the Morning Show, tune into Kiss on 107.9 FM in Boston, 107.1 in Portsmouth, and 93.3 FM in Providence from 6-10 AM, Monday through Friday. For more information visit their website at http://www.kiss108.com/main.html

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