Radio

Many people dream of working in radio stations as a radio disc jockey. Radios have been since the mid-1800s. While early radio signals were impressive leaps in technology, the military first began using the radio on a regular basis in World War I. The 1920s saw the first radio stations with news shows. That quickly grew into programs. Before the invention of the television, many families bought radios. Radio programs targeted toward children would tell stories and news commentary would play for adults. Sports quickly joined the radio programs. Music became, and still is the most popular thing to listen to on the radio. Today, there are thousands of radio stations and many people who work at them. Working in a radio station is a dream for many people. Radio programs have launched the fame of many people, most notably Howard Stern.

• If one wishes to break into the radio business as a broadcaster, they should start early. High school classes like English, public speaking and drama courses will be a good starting point. Public speaking is the most important class. These studies should continue into college. The college that one picks can be important when it comes to breaking into the radio business: however, it should be noted that many people who work on radio shows or at radio stations do not have a college education. The salary of a college educated radio broadcaster is likely to be the same as a college educated radio broadcaster. However, the extra education can not hurt, especially in today’s cut throat job market. A young adult should speak with their high school guidance counselor. Asking them which universities that have the best college radio station, along with notable broadcasting programs. A person might be able to major in broadcasting at one school and only find a couple of classes about it in another.

• Since broadcasting is the best major that one can have in order to break into the radio business, the classes available should be researched ahead of time. Some colleges have radio stations that are famous enough to be known across the country, while others are completely unknown. Some broadcasting degrees allow one to focus their concentration on radio. Other classes that help one when working at a radio station are journalism and business classes. Journalism is actually another major one can take if they want to work in radio. The business classes can help a student to prepare for dealing with financial issues that are encountered at radio stations. None of these things are as important as working at the college radio station. That will give an individual the hands on experience that can not be taught in a classroom. New technology like podcasting and website development could strengthen a person’s resume as well. Having a leg up when it comes to any technological advances is always a smart idea.

• Even well known college radio stations do not have very large budgets, although a college may allot more money depending on the circumstances. Usually, college radio stations give students a period of time to manage their own short radio show.Some may put little known bands on the radio while others host talk shows. Since college radio stations do not have a lot of money, students have to produce and edit their own time. This gives invaluable radio experience. Taking advantage of the time working at the radio station is key. One should learn everything about the radio, from how to use the equipment to how to deal with on-air radio problems. The things that one does at their college radio station should be considered to be like a resume. A tape should be made of the student’s show. This is one’s initial audition tape.

• The initial radio audition tape should be sent to local radio stations, who will be more interested in hearing someone’s actual radio work then reading about it on a resume. This is the time to find a radio internship. Even very famous radio stations hire interns, although it may be more difficult to get an internship at a famous radio station. Since most internships are unpaid, both the student and the radio station benefit. The student gains valuable radio experience while the radio station has a new temporary member of the team that they do not have to pay. One should take as many radio internships as they can during and even after college. An advisor at the college may be able to point an individual in the direction of a radio station that wants interns. They might even be able to find one that is hiring for paid radio positions.

• An official radio audition tape, cleaner than the last one should be made at this point in time. The focus of the audition tape should be on one’s strengths. Most college radio stations and some other stations may be willing to let the person film the audition tape there, as long as they do not have to help with any labor. One should be proactive when searching for a radio job. There are plenty of websites that cater to those looking for jobs in radio or TV. Calling all of the local radio stations in the area may be the best idea. Another possibility is for one to try to get a job at the radio station that one interned at. Even if they can not accommodate the individual now, they make keep them in mind for future positions that open. One might be lucky enough to land a job offer. Networking is also important. Many people whether directly or indirectly involved with radio production may be able to help.

• It would be in a person’s best interest to take any official radio job that is offered, whether it be part-time or full-time. It will be likely that the first post-graduate job will be at a small radio station and one may not be doing the things they imagined themselves doing. Climbing up the radio ladder takes time, as does any other type of career path. The salary for a starting position as a radio reporter varies from above $25,000 to skies the limit. The factors depend on experience, any notable fame and location. Bigger cities with popular radio stations will give starting salaries that are higher than smaller radio stations in small towns. The chances of landing a starting gig with a large radio station is small, unless one takes a job in an administrative position and tries to work up from there. The best bet is starting small. At least smaller radio stations will be likely to let an individual get real radio experience.

• Knowing about a number of different topics, from fashion to politics will increase an individual’s appeal when they are working at a radio station. If one want to be a disc jockey, then they should know a lot about music. However, if they also know about other subjects, they may be able to impress their employer by talking about a variety of things on the radio. Knowing answers quickly if they are faced with on air radio questions will also earn approval from their employer. One should always continue to practice their radio speaking voice. Besides the high school and college classes one should take in public speaking, an individual may want to work with a voice coach to improve their pronunciation. While certain radio stations may be looking for people who speak in a particular fashion, it is still important to be able to understand what the disc jockey is saying.

• One should have an ability to connect with their on air audience, even if they are working for a conservative political radio show. People listening to the radio could just as easily be listening to their CD player or Ipod. The days of waiting anxiously for a particular song to come on the radio are almost gone, due to the technology that exists today. Because of those changes, a disc jockey must know how to capture the audience members’ attention and hold it. A voice, a story, even a manner or talking can win over an audience. Unusual hours, especially at the start of one’s radio career are very common. Volunteering for a late night shift that other radio employees do not want may win favor at the radio station. Even if an individual does not volunteer, an undesirable radio time slot may be given to them anyway, at least in the beginning.

There are many radio personalities and disc jockeys that say that radio broadcasting is not as glamorous as it seems. That statement hardly deters people from wanting to enter the radio field professionally.