After years of different careers, Tracy Caruso, of Manchester, NH, is happy to once again be at WZID.

Talking about her decision to go into radio, Tracy shares, "I decided that I wanted to work in radio when I was in high school. I had one teacher, Mr.. Hughard, who taught a speech class that I took in my junior and senior years. This really made me realize that I wanted to do something with speaking, although not necessarily in front of a crowd of people. People are shocked to hear that I'm actually nervous to speak in front of people, but it's different to be in a little room with a microphone in front of you. There aren't millions of eyes staring at you!"

Tracy first became involved in radio when she was still at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting through their placement program. "I got really lucky and got my first job at a morning show for a tiny AM station in Fitchburg, and when I say tiny, I mean it – it was in a house. We had a fireplace in the studio and everything, it was really cozy." Since her debut at this station, Tracy has worked for many others, including WORC AM in Worcester, WMBU in Nashua, WKNE in Keene, which was her first FM station, and she has worked twice at WZID.

"I started doing the morning show at WZID in 1996. I was there for three years and then left to have my son. I thought that I would be a stay-at-home mom, but here I am! It was a great decision to come back. I worked mornings after having my son (the 3 AM wake-up call is really difficult). Being a mom is my number one priority, but I just couldn't stay home." In her off-time from the station, Tracy worked for an advertising firm for five years and did script writing.

"When I got back to WZID, it was complete and total luck. Someone had gone on vacation, and their two fill-ins couldn't do the show. The new program director had never heard of me, but luckily someone at the station mentioned that I would be a good fit for the position, so I got the call completely out of the blue back in 2005. Luckily, the management liked me, so they brought me on part-time in the afternoons, then I went to midday, and now I'm back in mornings. The hours are hard, since I have to get up at 3 AM, but summers are great – I'm out at 10 AM and I can still spend the day with my kids."

On being both a mother and a career woman, Tracy says, "It's hard to balance both being a full-time mom and my job. I try not to have guilt take over when I have to make choices between the two. My biggest role models were my parents. They were strong, wonderful people who believed in me 100%. I try to set the same example for my children. If they see that their mom is successful and works hard, it will give them the courage to go for their goals and hopefully attain them as well."

Tracy has found her niche in her profession. She has won Golden Mic awards and Associated Press awards. "It's an honor winning those awards, but the best thing is when your kids say that your job is really cool!"

To listen to Tracy, tune into 95.7 FM from 5-10 AM on weekdays or visit their website at www.wzid.com

For more Inspirational Women article or articles on different topics visit the Applaud Women Library.