Just keep on talking

Travis's radio career has allowed him to meet stars such as comedian Jason Manford (left)

WHEN Travis Glossop left school at 16 with low grades and a part-time supermarket job, little did he know he would one day be riding the Oldham airwaves.

The 22 year old from Derker used his passion for radio to get valuable work experience at radio stations including the Royal Oldham Hospital’s Radio Cavell, Revolution96.2, Manchester’s Gaydio and BBC Radio Manchester.

The talented teen impressed experienced radio staff so much he was offered the job of programme director at Radio Cavell. But life dealt him a blow: family illness meant Travis had to turn down the dream job.
Instead of feeling defeated he decided to sign up for a creative media level 3 course at Oldham College.

He expects to achieve the equivalent of 3 As at A-level later this month.
With plans to start a media and communications degree in September at Birmingham City University and scheduled freelance work for the BBC at MediaCity over the summer, Travis is keen to encourage other students to keep on working towards their goal - no matter how they get there.

“When I left Blue Coat School after not getting good grades, I thought I’d go full time at Tesco, work my way up and that would be my life. But no: instead I worked out what I wanted to do and found a different path.

“Younger people think that you have to go from school, to college, to university and then a job, but it’s not the only route. You just have to keep on working and not give up. No one is going to hand you anything; you have to work hard and find a way to get what you want.”

Travis currently co-hosts and co-produces the weekend breakfast show on Revolution96.2. An avid radio listener, Travis often prefers it to TV because of the way you are forced to use your imagination.

Now an older student, he believes taking time out from education has helped rather than hindered his career goal and said: “The couple of years working helped me realise who I was, what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go.”

Travis has faced difficult personal challenges in recent years, including his father’s devastating brain haemorrhage and his stepmother’s cancer.

“My dad was 45 when he had the haemorrhage. In a way it spurred me on. I couldn’t afford to wait for things to drop into my lap. It’s about grabbing opportunities and doing things yourself. My dad’s proud of me.”

Travis’s own battle with depression sometimes makes going to college a struggle, family, friends and college staff help him through. And the future? Keep listening to this space...