| What do you know about being on the radio or working at a station?I want to have the job of a radio personality/talk show person...I'm not sure what it's called, or even how to get the job.
If you could tell me all about how much school you need to get this position, and anything else you know about the requirements, I would SO appreciate it!
I know this is quite possibly the most horribly worded question ever.
Basically what I want to know is how much school you need, and ANYTHING else that would be valuable to know.
Asked By: Seni Seviyorum =D - 2/28/2009 |
I'll make a couple of suggestions as I've done in the past by posting the following essay about getting into radio. As to schools, many high school magnet programs are excellent (I don't know where in life you are, so I'll start there). Many colleges and universities with broadcast programs exist. Emerson College in Boston is one of the best and is run by a dear friend and excellent teacher. The Bayliss Foundation (below) is also something to keep in mind. Good Luck!
-a guy name duh
Qualifications to jock
No license these days. A good sense of flow, both audio and the entire package. An acceptable voice; quick sense of humor and/or recovery; the ability to handle several tasks simultaneously and take direction - lots of it. You should have a good understanding of how a studio operates, be good with digital equipment and be computer literate. If looking at a musical gig, a base knowledge of all types of music with expertise in at least one genere helps. This can all be be learned as you progress
To get in radio-in the US: Take it from one who started this way. If you want to try radio as a possible career choice, It's easy, really easier than most think. Go to all the local radio stations and tell them you're willing to do anything for little or no money (at first). Including interning (though those are usually for current college students in a broadcasting major). In a big city, that's going to be more difficult than a smaller town, but not impossible.
Maybe they need a Gofer, or a production or promotion assistant. In the old days you used to be able to 'hang out" at a station. That's still a possibility (usually at night) in a small town, but in a bigger city, it's hard because the stations are in office buildings. Anyway, so maybe you get a Gofer or promotion assistant job. Or maybe you're just the kid who hangs out and will go get burgers. Then as people leave for bigger better gigs, you move up. Radio's a very fluid business. People move a lot. Because the only way to really get promoted is to go to a bigger market.
Give it a try. You've got nothing to lose. Study all the stations where you live. Visit some of the websites I'll put below. Go around to all the stations (obviously start with the ones where you like the music - but don't leave out religious stations, foreign language stations etc. anything to get experience and something legit on your resume). Because you've studied the station and listened to their format, you'll impress them with your knowledge; go to the remote broadcasts and get to know the promotion people - the ones hanging banners, in the tent and handing out bumper stickers.
Sooner or later someone will leave and you can say, "Hey, I can do that, I want his job now that he's leaving." It's important you have a driver’s license & clean record, 'cause you'll be driving the station van. Go 4 it!
Also, many colleges and some high schools (especially magnet schools) have radio courses of study and there are private vocational schools like Columbia/Connecticut School of Broadcasting. Emerson College in Boston is the premiere Media College in the US.
If you are interested in a career in radio, check out this great scholarship program from the John Bayliss Broadcast Foundation. It could mean $5,000 towards your tuition!
www.baylissfoundation.org
Maybe you can turn another skill, with accounting, traffic, or engineering into an off-air career. Sales, though not as popular with young people, is a great way to get into radio even if you don't have a great voice. You'll also make more money and work steadier hours - but it's not as glamorous. Radio stations also need engineers, accountants and business managers.
US Universities and colleges with radio and/or broadcast programs:
Ithaca College, NY
Monmouth Univ.
Michigan State
SF State Univ.
Southern Il Univ
Newhouse School/Syracuse Univ, NY
Grady College, Univ of GA
Univ. of Miami, FL
Univ. of Nebraska
Arizona State
Cal Poly
Central Mich. Univ.
Emerson College, Boston
Free Radio Newsletters:
www.AllAboutCountry.com
www.AllAccess.com
www.insideradio.com
www.radio-info.com
Good Luck!
Answered By: Duh - 2/28/2009 |