Mona Charles: Riding the air waves of success

Mona Charles knows firsthand how a summer job can lead to a full time rewarding career in a completely different field.

Mona is a member of the La Ronge First Nation and works as a broadcaster for Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) in La Ronge, Saskatchewan. She took a summer job as a receptionist/secretary with the radio station in 1997, and was later hired on permanently. After two and a half years in this job, a new opportunity came her way.

"I was asked to voice a commercial," says Mona. "I was really excited to hear my voice on radio for the first time," says Mona.

Her first taste of on-air fame gave her the bug to do more commercials, and eventually her chance to do more on-air work came. "I was going to take an office education course for my job, then the former CEO asked me if I was interested in working on-air because at that time, the station was short staffed for on-air announcers. For three months, I worked as the secretary from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and then from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., I was on air."

Mona received training, advice and guidance from her co-workers, and by the end of the three months, she became a full time on-air personality for MBC, which broadcasts in 55 communities from northern points like Uranium City, Stony Rapids and Black Lake to southern parts like Regina and Saskatoon via cable.

Now going into her seventh year with MBC, she has become a recognized radio personality and proficient behind-the-scenes producer of her daily program.

"I produce, edit and voice my own commercials for on-air production, program the show, slot in commercials, prepare a short newscast with weather and sports, host a request show and do voice tracking for the hours after my shift. I'm on air from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., then my voice track is heard from 10 p.m. until midnight. I also program a Saturday night dance party aimed for youth."

Mona enjoys the fast pace and variety that comes with her job. "MBC plays a bit of everything. I like the request program because I get to know the people who call in, the regular listeners. I never thought I'd take this career path, but I'm glad it worked out because radio is definitely a lot of fun and it has a lot of energy. It's a great medium to carry on traditional story telling and educating listeners about our culture"

Looking to the future, Mona plans to broaden her broadcast horizons. "MBC recently started a television station. I am interested in moving to work in TV, so I'm considering returning to school to learn that aspect of the industry and to earn my journalism credentials. I believe that having that degree or certificate will open more doors for me."

Profile provided by Saskatchewan Job Futures.