How can I get on the radio?

Question

I want to be on the radio when I grow up, haha, I'm just wondering what you think I should study at college (and maybe uni) in years to come. My dream is to be on Radio 1, and be like my idol Annie Mac but that'll never happen. Haha.

What subjects will give me the best chance of getting near a radio station?

Answer 1

The following was first written for those in the US. Much of it will carry over to the UK.

Here's my brief version on how 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. 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!

-a guy named duh

Answer 2

I listen to my local radio station (Marcher Sound 103.4) and a few years ago now, they had this work experience guy on.  So he was in year10...probably was studying no subjects to get him there.  Unless Media Studies perhaps.  English Language?  But yeah, just go to your local radio station and ask for some unpaid work experience for a week or so.  Then you might progress with work experience at bigger stations?

Answer 3

Qualification are ever important even for radio1 as there many like you with the same dream.  show some interest in the subject as start it as a hobby, there are many minute stations out there to practice in.  

Answer 4

Go the journalist route.

Whatever you do you will need qualifications.

Talk to someone on your local radio. They would probably be only too pleased to help.

Answer 5

well if you REALLY want to do that stuff for a living and go to college for it, look into radio communications or some sort of technical engineering or something.... but when you get to college, try joining the colleges radio station... a lot of the time your local community college or not so community will let people come in and sign up for a time slot to get on the radio... its worth a shot, go to the closest college and see if they will give you a slot.... and its always good for the resume...  

Answer 6

Look into hospital radio. It is voluntary but many UK dj's start there and take journalism courses. You can join most hospital radio stations from the age of 15 or 16. You couldalso contact your local BBC station and talk to the action desk team

Answer 7

Start off at Hospital Radio, Thats where Chris Moyles Started.. (Now look at him!)

I Started off at Hospital Radio, Was there about a Year..

And Im now the Lunchtime presenter for 2 Major Radio Stations across the UK!

I May never reach Radio 1, And to be honest i dont really want too.

Why not send me a demo, about 3 minuets long.. with some links, maybe an interview, and then we could see about getting you on my radio show or something for an hour or something?

Use the email button, and ill talk to you via that if you are intrested.

Answer 8

Maths, English and music will help.

Why dont you get intouch with the station and ask if they have any work experience slots avalible? It will only be dogs body jobs you will get but it will help you get a foot in the door of the industry and you can talk to the people who know what qualifications you need to get a perminant job with them. And you never know, if they like you and the way you work they might ask you back when you have finished school.

Good luck

Edit. d**n it Pooh Bear. Now I just look like i've coppied you! :-)

Answer 9

Start off at local radio.  Doing anything.  Making coffee or being a secretary, doing reporting.  Ask to be on the news broadcast if anyone is ill or away for some reason.  It might start small but make a name for yourself and have something to put on your radio CV and you can start climbing the ladder.  Its hard!  But good luck!