Getting into Radio - how ?

Question

I've always tried hard to gain experience in radio at a student and community level as a presenter and producer. I'm just wondering what peoples advice is in going further and really getting myself out there. I'm not looking to become a presenter, more of a production role, i.e a broadcast assistant. I have aims to get into the bbc, and i'm aware that its really competitive, but having done the community and student radio, and briefly done a months work experience at the BBC as a runner - what should I be doing in terms of going further now? I've always been interested in working in the media and radio. I also regularly do other non radio roles for a youth organisation, writing press releases, organising press flights and taking photos. Enjoy getting my articles on the organisational websites etc. But what should I be doing now, what are people looking for etc? Should having no media type qualifications stop me from going to apply for things?

Answer 1

You should go for it. I was on the BBC website yesterday and they have a couple of openings for Asst. Producers. That may be a bit above your level, but there were other openings that might fit.

In any case you should open an account and enter those areas that are a fit into the proper space. they'll email you when something comes up, if nothing strikes your fancy right off.

Good luck!

-a guy named duh

Answer 2

By student, do you mean high school or college?

I'm not sure how things work in the UK, but I can tell you that here in the U.S., the best way into radio on an entry level is through internships. Here, if you want to work in the studio or anywhere on station premises for that matter, then you must be able to get college credit to do an internship (if the station is on the up and up). But, you can volunteer off-site at clubs, concerts, or outdoor events as part of the station's promotion team without getting credit (please note all the above is unpaid).

I cannot count the number of staffers I know currently working in radio who started this way. Some of them are on air personalities who got there simply by hanging out with the morning show team.

Radio stations are usually short-staffed and so they fill in the blanks with interns. You might want to talk to local radio stations rather than a national news outfit like the BBC.

The other route is to take any job you can at the station  (traffic, sales, promotion) and then eventually get to know people there and move to the broadcast side. I've seen people advance this way many times.

Good luck!