Windy city workforce

This department spotlights a relatively recent addition to the workforce, focusing on the person’s educational or working background, daily responsibilities, challenges, passions, frustrations and outlook for his or her future in the field.

Name: April Haydock
Age: 24
Company: The Loop 97.9 WLUP-FM Chicago
Title: Spokesmodel and the 2007 Loop Rock Girl

How you ended up here: I grew up just north of the city. I was never one to conform, and once I reached high school, I was sent to a behavior-disorder school due to the trouble I couldn’t avoid as a teenager. Just like all the rock music I love, I was always about going against the mainstream way of life. I’ve always been in love with rock music, and working as a model right out of school, it was obvious the Loop Rock Girl gig would be a perfect fit.

How long you’ve been at it: About six months.

Who you answer to, if anyone: Tommy King, director of marketing at WLUP. You want him on your side, trust me! But more importantly, I answer to the fans of The Loop. They are “The Loop” and have kept the station rockin’ for over 30 years.

Hours you expect to be at work: There are no concrete hours. Whatever it takes to get the job done! Each week can be different, and I don’t know what to expect most times. I like it like that!

Breakdown of what people anticipate from you: I always have to be “on.” Smiling, friendly and awake. Looking like I just stepped out of the Miss America pageant. I can do that, but when I’m sick, with little sleep, I wouldn’t even want to be around myself. I typically only have one opportunity to meet each listener, and I want to leave them with a good feeling about The Loop. Being humble, smart, pretty and nice 24 hours a day — I’m always on the clock. People recognize me quite often, so like I said, I’m always “on.” Before the gig, I could have a spicy tongue and get myself into a little trouble, but now I have to be careful of who’s watching.

What your friends assume you do all day: Smile, wave, kiss babies. Really, that’s what they say! However, for the last five years, I’ve been working as a medical crisis counselor for 14 different Chicago emergency rooms. My friends know that side of my life, so it keeps me real ... and keeps them off my back. www.rapevictimadvocates.org

Best perk: They give me room to be myself. I’m not just a face, I’m a personality as well.
Has the job helped you learn more about men? That’s an interesting question. Men, huh? What’s up with men who shave their chests? What woman ruined it for us and said, “I like that prickly stubble?” Ok. that’s enough of that topic, but I had to ask! Groups of men are interesting. When their friends are around, it seems men are expected to fall into cliché methods on how to approach women, especially when they’re drunk! But I love them anyway!

What was the most nerve-wracking part about the loop Rock Girl competition? Getting there on time! I’m not kidding when I tell you I sat behind a freight train as it rolled back and forth over and over for 45 minutes. Yes, it’s true! Did one of the girls in the competition know a train operator?

I have trouble dealing with… selfish people and egos.

I know it’s a good day when... I wake up not craving to hit snooze on my alarm. My curtains black out the windows. It’s cold with the AC kicking, and my down comforter can actually sweetly whisper my name sometimes.

Who is the coolest celebrity you’ve met on the job? There are so many... I just met Nikki Sixx, founding member of Motley Crüe. I interviewed him about his new book, “Heroin Diaries; A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star.” It’s a necessary addition to any rock library. The detail is so personal about these explicit, revealing, extremely dark and intimate moments in his life — it’s hard to put down. He was so humble it was surprising! A great guy to meet.

Why you have a smile when you come to work: Just knowing I’m going do things I’m proud of.

How many pictures do you think you’ve posed for in the last six months? On the job with the Loop Rock Girl gig, with listeners and all? Probably somewhere in the thousands.

What might you change if given the chance? About being the Loop Rock Girl? Too many concerts and partying. Just kidding! It’s a dream job ... no complaints here!

Where can you go from here? Left, right, up, down. I’ll walk every direction and see where it takes me.

Advice for joining the field: When you’re a model, be sure to remember that your opinion and personality is what your client tells you it is. There are times you feel like a tool, and times probably where you’re asked to be. Don’t take offense to criticism. There’s nothing you can change about the way you were born, so be comfortable with that. And if there’s something one client may not like about you, they’ll tell you (be ready for that). But the next day, there will be a client that likes that very same thing about you. Don’t stop trying! I entered the Loop Rock Girl competition in 2005 and didn’t make it. I tried once more two years later and got it! I can’t tell you how much it was worth to push myself into something I was rejected from the first time I tried. Your career is not “meant to be,” you have to make it happen.

Check out events April will be hosting at www.wlup.com in the events section. You can e-mail her at april@wlup.com

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