How would I get a job at a radio station?

Question

I'd really like to get a job at a local radio station, but I'm not sure how to go about that. Is it an application process, where you visit some stations and ask for forms to fill out, or do you need to wait around until a station posts a vacancy?

Answer 1

Below is a piece I've posted before on how to get into the biz (from a US perspective).

-a guy named duh

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!

OK, 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 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 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

Answer 2

Took classes in high school and worked at the high school station

I went to college at Columbia in chicago

Worked at the college station all 4 years

Did My inter-ships at station in chicago

Worked in radio for a while

Best thing to do is just talked to the radio station and see what you can do to get in. Inter-ship can and do lead to jobs sometimes

Good Luck