A Day in the Life with Todd Zarnitz

Todd Zarnitz came to Penn State to pursue a chemical engineering degree, but his experiences on campus, starting soon after his freshman arrival, would drastically change the trajectory of his career.

Soon after arriving, Zarnitz's best friend joined WEHR radio (East Halls Radio). The next semester Zarnitz began an "unofficial internship" with the morning show at B-103 in State College, which was in a "Top 40" format at the time. His experience there opened up his passion for radio broadcasting.

By his junior year Zarnitz had to choose engineering or radio – there wasn’t time for both.

So, he sharply pivoted his studies into a full-fledged radio career. Zarnitz now serves as both a morning show personality for 106.7 The Eagle (KLTH) and assistant program director for Z100 (KKRZ).

What does a career in radio look like? Join us as we step into a day in the life of Todd Zarnitz to see how his Penn State experiences have helped to shape the career he has created for himself.

By his junior year Zarnitz had to choose engineering or radio – there wasn’t time for both.

So, he sharply pivoted his studies into a full-fledged radio career. Zarnitz now serves as both a morning show personality for 106.7 The Eagle (KLTH) and assistant program director for Z100 (KKRZ).

What does a career in radio look like? Join us as we step into a day in the life of Todd Zarnitz to see how his Penn State experiences have helped to shape the career he has created for himself.

A Typical Work Day

Zarnitz's radio station is located in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon, which is a good place for a radio station as most of the listening today is done in vehicles. The strongest listeners have a long commute from the edges of the listening area.

His number one task is to deliver the best possible show to listeners. In order to do that, he spends much of his time figuring out what engages listeners, but more importantly what drives them away.

“A radio station has no control over listeners tuning in, but we can curb content that makes listeners tune out.”

The many 'stops' of a career in radio

Todd was born in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. Shortly after, his family moved to Boston and later to Philadelphia. After graduating from Penn State, Todd moved around considerably, which is the standard program for any broadcasting career.

Stops included: Wilkes Barre/Scranton (WKRZ); Tampa (WFLZ); Orlando (WPYO); Houston (KRBE); Philadelphia (WIOQ); New York (WHTZ), and Portland, Oregon (KKRZ). Portland has now been his home for the past three years.

Q&A with Todd

What made you choose Penn State and how has this impacted where you are now?

Penn State has the best of everything! And Penn State has every conceivable opportunity for study. I have always been energized by opportunity.

Beyond being on the air, what other career experiences do you have?

From 2011 to 2017 I came off the air to sell radio advertising for iHeartMedia. My goal was to expand my skillset from the narrowness of radio broadcasting, and the sales experience gave me a terrific business education. I was even able to help Penn State Outreach advertise Penn State World Campus on iHeartMedia radio stations throughout the country! After a successful run as an account executive, I realigned with my original passion for on-air broadcasting, and stepped back on the air.

When you’re not working, what else might we find you doing in your free time?

I read a lot. The Kindle app makes it so easy to download books and read anywhere. I tend not to watch a lot of television as it soaks up too much time, and makes for boring radio conversation.

Having moved around quite a bit, what do you love about where you live now?

The Northwest has great skiing, with Mt Hood offering year-long trails. A friend of mine owns a sailboat, and in the summer months we sail up and down Columbia River. And my neighborhood has a great wine dive where I like to hang out with friends and neighbors.

What was your most challenging work experience and what did you learn from it?
If you work at any creative enterprise, you need to bend your vision to fit with your team. Bending your creative work to fit the needs of any organization is painful, and it does not come naturally. Creative professionals will always suffer through an initial learning curve. I was no different.

What’s your best Penn State memory?
There were really amazing concerts through my time at Penn State. My favorites: Alanis Morissette at Rec Hall, No Doubt and Bush at Bryce Jordan Center, Jewel on the Hub Lawn, and Marilyn Manson at CrowBar (an experience).

What advice would you give to your college freshman self?
Trust yourself. The choices you make for yourself will push against the vision others have for you. There are pluses and minus at every fork in the road, and people tend to highlight the negatives. You must learn to accept that people who love you might try to protect you from what they consider to be directional mistakes. Your best path is to pursue your own vision for you.