During high school, students juggle around different career options, experimenting, every day getting closer to the day they feel that they should decide. Even with careers decided, individuals go through complicated processes of investing in activities that will help with their success. Seniors Alexis “Lexie” Newman and Jayla Turner have taken this as their mission to inspire Troy High School kids.
The “Dream Job Podcast,” hosted by Newman and Leah Cerulli, Troy Athens High School senior, “highlights students in the Troy School District and what they’re doing to reach their goals and learn about what they want to do in life,” according to Turner.
“We’re a part of the Creative Guild where it’s a lot of different kids from different schools who have gotten the platform to share their artwork, talent, music and anything of the sort,” Turner said. The Guild is run by Thomas Butcher, who produces the podcast by setting up equipment and recording.
“A lot of people are unsure of what they want to do [in the future],” Newman said, “so [the Dream Job Podcast] could give others inspiration, and it could show that Troy High School has resources [for you] to be able to do what you want when you’re older.”
Newman and Cerulli have brought Turner into the “Dream Job Podcast” numerous times. The three’s collaborative work stemmed from years of friendship. Turner commented, “I’ve been friends with both Lexie and Leah since we were kids.”
The recording process usually consists of various elements. Beforehand, the hosts, Newman and Cerulli, prepare questions to ask their chosen person. Turner said, “When I’m being invited, I ask for the questions beforehand in case they ask me statistics or how I feel about [something].”
Also to prepare for the “Dream Job Podcast”, Newman said, “We map out the questions we want to ask [and] we prepare our guests with the questions so they at least know ahead of time.”
When Turner is the one hosting a podcast, she expresses that it is important to know the person she interviews beforehand. “I study who I’m asking the questions to because you want to know the audience [and] the person you’re talking to if you want to create that flow.”
Newman states the most difficult aspect of making a podcast is that “sometimes it’s choppy, so we stop and talk about what we need to improve or what we need to continue to talk about if it’s getting off course. We cut off those parts.”
Both Newman and Turner take great interest in broadcasting, and it is beyond a hobby to them. “I love everything about it,” Turner said. “It is what I’m truly passionate about.”
Turner feels that “everybody’s voice should be heard,” and that her purpose on not only the podcast but in her life is to “bring a different angle to the table and put positivity out into the world because [she] receives so much of it.” As an aspiring sports broadcaster, she works toward being “a role model and example for people who want to do things like [herself].”
Newman has a similar perspective. “I hope to have a podcast when I’m in college based on social issues or personal things. Obviously I don’t have all the recording equipment, but I know more about it because of the Creative Guild,” she said.
Their talent is evident in a recent award given to them. “We just won an award at the MAB, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. We submitted our podcast to the talk show category, and we won first place,” Newman said.
Not only is the podcast a way for these two seniors to follow their passions, but it also gives them the opportunity to build new relationships with others. “It creates friendships, bonds and connections that you’ll probably have forever because it creates a team,” Turner stated.
Turner explains why others less interested in broadcasting would still benefit from listening and talks about the podcast’s multifaceted audience: “Even if you’re not passionate about it, maybe it will get you excited about what your passion is, bring out a spark in you [and] maybe teach you something.”
As their senior year comes to a close, Newman and Turner get to leave high school knowing the constructive impact the podcast has had on students and ponder about the future. She also stated that the podcast will be passed down to upcoming seniors, allowing for them to inspire even more students and people everywhere.
