For Harold Cochran, It’s About Helping Students
As the senior broadcasting engineer for UT Martin’s TV studio and award-winning student radio station, WUTM, Harold Cochran is on call 24/7, but that’s OK with him.
After 10 years and many late-night calls, Cochran explained that the best part of his job is helping the students.
“It’s rewarding seeing them when they’re interested enough with something to ask questions and want to learn more,” he said.
When student calls come in, Cochran never knows what sort of crisis will be on the other side of the line. One memorable experience involved students setting up equipment to announce a UT Martin baseball game on air in the next county. They ran into trouble when the phone line wouldn’t work because the Martin studio was considered long distance.
“I didn’t know what we were going to do,” Cochran said.
But with some quick thinking, he was able to patch the students through his cell phone two minutes before game time.
Quick thinking and tenacity are the skills that Cochran uses daily and teaches to students.
“I always tell the students, if I don’t know the answer, we’ll figure it out together.”
Tags: More Than a Job
