Meet Kennedy Cymerman

We recently connected with Kennedy Cymerman and have shared our conversation below.

Kennedy, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

From a young age, I knew I was destined for the spotlight. Whether performing in school plays, playing the clarinet in band, or singing in the choir, I always found joy in entertaining others and offering them an escape from reality. While my passions have taken many forms throughout my life, it wasn’t until college that I would find my calling.

In 2016, I left my small hometown near Buffalo, NY, to embark on my college journey at Hofstra University on Long Island. Eager to bring my creative ambitions to life, I declared a Music major and Drama minor. I also joined the on-campus radio station on a whim, despite having zero experience in radio. Radio opened up a new world of entertainment that I quickly fell in love with, sparking my passion for being on-air. Before I knew it, I found my voice as both the host and producer of Electro Beat, the station’s dedicated Electronic Dance Music radio show.

This role opened many doors to incredible opportunities as a college student; from interviewing EDM artists to covering events and even music festivals. Everything clicked for me my senior year, specifically when I was covering Electric Zoo festival. In that moment I realized I wanted to combine my love for music & storytelling and pursue a career in radio broadcasting & journalism. Fast forward five years later, I’m proud to say I’m living out that dream working for iHeartRadio, the #1 audio company in the U.S.

My time at Hofstra University set the foundation for my career and helped me discover my voice in the world of radio and journalism. Each interview and festival I cover is not just a step toward achieving my goals, but a chance to inspire others and create connections through music. My journey is only just beginning, and the spotlight I once sought now shines the brightest when I’m helping others share their stories.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Currently I work full-time as a Senior Project Manager at iHeartMedia. In this role I manage a team and oversee contesting & promotions for various markets across the country. This position has allowed me to branch out and explore other avenues at iHeart in my free time. Naturally, I connected with the EDM station called Evolution Radio and have been involved the past two years. Similar to my experience at my college radio station, I assist Evolution Radio with artist interviews, music festival coverage, and have developed skills in content creation.

Evolution has offered me a platform to build my own brand as a music journalist. Having the opportunity to interview my favorite artists is priceless, and honestly a feeling that never gets old. I think back to my younger self when I first discovered these artists, and I could never have imagined that 10 years later I’d be interviewing them in person. I’m incredibly grateful for every artist I’ve had the chance to interview, and I look forward to sharing more stories of those whose music changed my life. While most of the content I create is for Evolution Radio, as a freelancer I’m focused on building and strengthening my personal brand. My goal is to one day share artist interviews and event coverage on a platform I can call my own.

Check out my portfolio for my artist interviews! (Hyperlink: https://www.clippings.me/kennedycymerman)

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Networking

I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t network and make connections everywhere I went. I always carry my business cards around with me because you never know who you’re going to meet. Even before I had business cards, most of my time was spent sliding into DJ’s DMs pitching an interview or to cover a show. That’s actually how I landed my first interview on my college radio show, which ultimately led me to my first professional internship in the EDM industry. All those efforts paid off, because now it’s them sliding into my DMs and my email inbox for opportunities.

My advice? Introduce yourself everywhere you go, use social media strategically, and establish a network of like-minded individuals. Maintain your connections and never burn bridges because you never know what kind of opportunities they may have in the future. You’ll quickly realize just how small the industry is when you see how interconnected everyone is.

2. Work hard & stay motivated

As cliché as it sounds, hard work truly does pay off! Job hunting can feel like an emotional roller coaster—after countless rejections, you start to question your abilities and lose motivation. I pride myself in the fact that I give 110% to everything I do. When I set my sights on working for iHeartRadio, I applied to over 30 positions and even recorded a unique radio demo tailored to each station I applied for. My dreams kept my motivation alive, and by the 40th application I finally got my foot in the door.

The story of how I got my job is even more compelling. I had applied for an on-air position out in San Francisco and after my 2nd email follow-up, the Program Director replied basically saying this job was for someone with years of experience and that he’s looking for someone who resides in the Bay Area. However, he also said that with over 150 applicants, mine stood out to him and that he’d like to help me out. He forwarded my resume to the New York City office, and a few days later they reached out to me for an interview. The following week I landed my first job with iHeartMedia, making all those applications—and the effort I poured into them—worth it. By combining consistent effort with the right mindset and healthy strategies, you’ll build a foundation for long-term success.

3. Passion

Without passion, none of the above would’ve ever come to fruition. During my interviews, artists often compliment me on how much I know about them, or how genuine and easy I am to talk to. Every time I tell them it’s because I’m a fan myself. You can really tell the difference between an authentic, passionate interviewer versus a journalist who is there on assignment and didn’t do their research beforehand. While I brand myself as a music journalist on social media, at my core, I’ll always be a fan. This connection resonates with my audience, most of whom are fans as well, and I maintain those bonds through fan groups and interactions on social media.

Throughout high school and college, my peers knew me for my love—some might say obsession—with EDM. As they follow my journey on social media, I’m constantly flooded with their support and encouragement, with many expressing how happy they are to see me following my dreams. EDM has become a defining part of my personality, and it’s deeply rewarding to share my journey with those who’ve supported me along the way. My passion comes to life in all my work, and that’s what makes what I do so special. As the saying goes, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,” and I’m lucky enough to live that every day.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

They supported me. Simple as that. My parents support gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams fearlessly. No matter how unconventional or ambitious my goals seemed, they never doubted me. Instead, they showed me that my passions mattered. From never missing a single performance of mine growing up to streaming my college radio show online, they’ve always been my biggest fans. They’re the first to watch my interviews, read my articles, and everything in between. Not to mention they would listen (or tolerate) all the EDM I used to blast in the car.

Their belief in me was a constant source of motivation, and I’m fortunate to have grown up with parents who taught me to always shoot for the stars. Knowing they are in my corner has made all the difference—it allowed me to take risks, grow through failure, and pursue a career fueled by my passion. Their impact is something I carry with me every step of the way, and serves as a constant reminder of why I strive to make them proud.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Nickolas Wolf

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