By Naomi Parris

HAVING grown up without the proverbial silver spoon in her mouth, 20-year-old Tieanna Jordan has always been a high achiever with big dreams for herself and her family.

The young woman, who recently started a career as a radio announcer, hails from a small village along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway called Kairuni, where she grew up with her parents and younger siblings.

Jordan, who is currently pursuing Communication Studies at the University of Guyana, told the Pepperpot Magazine that she grew up not having much and was always satisfied with whatever her parents were able to provide. This, she noted, has always given her a simple outlook on life and a greater appreciation for small gestures and things that may not seem like much in the eyes of others.

The young woman, who is a self-proclaimed introvert said, “I am a very quiet person. I was actually very shy which is something that I’m trying to get over now; I was a very a quiet and shy person. I was never into public speaking and I love reading and I liked being with friends and family and I like meeting new people.”
While Jordan always had a knack for writing and an interest in the field of journalism, she did not exactly see herself being a radio announcer or personality, given her quiet nature.

“I always wanted to be a journalist …I saw myself writing for a newspaper, just focusing on the writing aspect, because I also love writing,” she told the Pepperpot Magazine.

The young woman noted that she was in the process of drafting applications to send to some of the top print media houses in Guyana when a relative shared an advertisement that a popular radio station that was looking for a young, vibrant and eager broadcaster.

A leap of faith
Still very uncertain, Jordan said, “I was overthinking, what if I go and I don’t get it? And eventually my parents convinced me to just take the chance because we never know what could happen.”

On the day of the audition, Jordan related that she was the third person in line and was certain she was not going to get the job because of how timid and nervous she was.
“After I saw the other persons who came there for the audition I started to feel nervous, I was looking at the way they were dressed, the way they seemed confident and in my mind, I was like I’m not going to get this job,” she said.
Two weeks later the young woman received a call and was told she will be the newest addition to the 103.1 FM team.

A confidence boost
“I ALWAYS look for new challenges, so I didn’t back down from that one. I did a one-month training before I went on air officially. That one month [period] was a life-changing experience for me…At the end of that one month I learned to speak louder and to project my voice. That is actually how I ended up in broadcasting,” she said.
The young woman noted that since being in the broadcasting business, she has become a more confident individual, who speaks out and up a lot more.
Jordan said that being a youth herself has prompted her to use her platform to send positive messages to other young people with the hope of encouraging them to pursue riveting careers and furthering their studies for their self-development.

On her programme, “Brunch on the Coast,” which is aired between 09:00hrs-13:00hrs, Jordan shares COVID-19 updates, reminders to citizens to wear their protective gear, she even features exciting stories from across the world along with local and internal music.
The young woman noted that while she is currently working on bettering herself as a radio broadcaster, in the near future, she is hoping to become a household name in journalism across Guyana.

“I’m focusing on UG and trying to better myself as a radio announcer and I do see myself furthering my career in radio broadcasting. But if I think about a little more into the future, I want to someday be taught of as one of the best journalists in Guyana,” she said.