Every Friday at Lansing Middle School, students step outside the traditional classroom to explore future possibilities through Career Fair Presentations. These sessions give 8th graders the chance to hear directly from professionals about their careers, the paths that led them there, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
On Friday, February 6, students welcomed Scott Parks, a Lansing High School graduate (Class of 1989) and current afternoon radio talk show host on 980 KMBZ, for an engaging and honest look at a career in journalism and broadcasting.
Mr. Parks spoke about how meaningful it was to walk back into the same building where his journey began. He shared how his interest in radio started at just 11 years old, after meeting a local disc jockey and realizing right then that broadcasting was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. With encouragement from his father, Mr. Parks committed to that goal and never let it go.
After graduating from Lansing, Parks pursued higher education at both the University of Nebraska and the University of Kansas, where he earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Like many career paths, his did not begin with instant success. His first professional radio job began at a small station in Ottawa, Kansas, where he started at 5:00 a.m. with nothing more than handwritten directions and determination.
From there, Parks worked his way through several radio stations across Kansas, gaining experience as both a music DJ and talk show host. Along the way, he learned an important lesson he shared with students: perseverance matters. One college professor even told him he should find another career, advice Parks used as motivation to prove otherwise.
Today, Parks co-hosts an afternoon talk show on 980 KMBZ, focusing on conversation, storytelling, and local topics rather than politics. He explained that the heart of broadcasting is connection and making listeners feel like they’re part of the conversation during their drive home. He also spoke about how the industry is changing, encouraging students interested in journalism or media to pay attention to podcasting, video-on-demand, and digital storytelling, which are shaping the future of the field.
Students asked questions about daily work routines, handling live callers, overcoming nerves, and whether radio ever becomes repetitive. Parks emphasized that curiosity, preparation, and a willingness to keep learning are essential.
This Career Fair series is made possible thanks to Mrs. Becky Wecas, LMS Counselor, whose dedication ensures students have meaningful opportunities to explore careers and hear directly from professionals in the community.
Lansing USD469 is incredibly grateful to Mr. Parks for his time and the opportunity for our students to get a real life glimpse into journalism and broadcasting!