For anyone who enjoys the medium of radio and wants to make it their career, there are a number of paths that can increase their chances of finding paid employment. Bear in mind that the radio industry needs new people with new ideas as much as the new entrants need to find a way in.
Nothing Beats Experience.
Most job hunters will be familiar with the Catch 22 conundrum of not getting the job they want because they have no experience and can’t get the experience the need because they can’t the job. There is a way to break this cycle and there are many places to gain valuable experience. Any radio connected experience is good experience and although some of it initially may be unpaid, the contacts gained are invaluable, places like:
- Hospital Radio. In many countries a well established broadcasting network and local hospitals will have more information for volunteers.
- Student Radio. Again an established network in many countries and linked primarily to and for those involved in “places of education.”
- Community Radio. Many local people often start a not-for -profit radio station in their own community and all need a constant supply of volunteers. Radio authorities or local papers will have contact details.
- Local Radio Stations. Starting at one local station as an un-paid volunteer (volunteer for anything!), is experience, valuable in job-hunting with another station.
- Radio on the Internet. There are a number of sites on the internet that promote self –start up internet only radio stations.
Having any kind of radio experience, however slight, unpaid for or seemingly obscure is valuable in applying for paid for work within the radio industry. The decision most candidates have to make is how long they’re prepared to work unpaid, until the paid position present itself.
Radio in Education.
Radio and media courses in general are commonplace in most colleges and universities. As any experience is good experience, so any related or even not-so- related qualification, is a good qualification to have on a resume, and will increase the chances of gaining an interview and paid for employment. Courses to consider are:
- Specific radio courses and radio training courses in any discipline.
- Combined radio and TV production courses.
- Sound engineering or computing and technology courses
- Journalism courses; relevant for both news and programming positions.
- Most media courses across many disciplines are relevant.
- All courses in creativity, like creative writing, even design and art based courses are also relevant.
Before choosing a course, it will be useful for the new entrant’s future in radio to consider at this stage what ‘Dream job’ they would like, and tailor their course choice to that job. A would-be engineer could choose a technology course, while a would-be presenter might veer towards a specific radio or creative course.
Specific Jobs in Radio.
At this stage it’s also worth considering the various areas of opportunities within a radio station open to the new entrant. The on-air staff are the front-line and most obvious public face of a radio station but there are many other opportunities that often can often lead to on-air work and other careers. Jobs to look out for include :
- Production Assistants, full time, part time and on specific shows or features.
- Record librarians.
- Features producers and assistants.
- News readers and Newsroom journalists.
- Sales support and advertising commercial traffic staff.
- Commercials producers and sound engineers.
- Airtime sales and sponsorship executives.
- And all kinds of administration like receptionists, accounts staff, secretaries and pa’s, and production support.
Most of these specific jobs are ‘normal’ paid for jobs and the only difference is that they are at a radio station, however they all give new entrants a chance to work in a radio station, make contacts, and be paid.
It’s WHO You Know.
Building up experience, gaining a qualification, working in radio in any capacity will give anyone looking to make a career in radio and be paid for it a chance to talk to people already in the industry. These are valuable contacts who will give advice (if asked) and perhaps point to possible opportunities.
It’s often said, “The difference between an amateur and a professional is persistence.” Be persistent.
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