Caitlin Duffy, Class of 2011, Middletown, CT

What are you up to? I’m in the medical field where I am a licensed phlebotomist. I currently work in a gastroenterology practice (stomach & intestinal doctor) where I assist with blood draws, as well as medical records and billing. In addition, I am active in the Connecticut arts community and host my very own radio show on WMRD 1150AM, Middletown, Connecticut’s grassroots station. I play an eclectic mix in the same vein as I did on college radio. My hope is to use an old-school platform to elevate musical voices close to my community. I like to keep my ear to the floor by attending community jazz and classical concerts.

How'd you get here? I hold a Bachelor of Arts in French from Drew University from which I graduated in 2015. I was going to pursue a Master's in Teaching but gratefully discovered that public education isn’t my arena. For now, I am focused on developing a lucrative career with the skills I have. In the future, I will travel to France to work. The late Madame Mary Jane Miller was a huge influence on me. She was my favorite French teacher and helped shaped who I am in a critical time of my life. She inspired me to pursue my passions regardless of how others felt about them, or of how I come across. She helped me find confidence in being quirky which I have carried with me throughout adulthood.

What are your goals? I have plans to take classes in the fall for medical billing and coding so that I can further develop my skills and reach my financial goals. As for radio, WWUH and WESU are on my radio as potential platforms to share my taste for Northeastern, US music. My hope is to interview more local musicians and elevate their work to a broader audience, namely young people who wouldn't normally think to "tune in" to local radio. Please see any of my shows on demand on wliswmrd.net!

If you could tell your high school self one thing, what would it be? Forget about the haters, we all end up going off and doing our own thing anyway.