What is needed to become a radio show host or to work within the radio business??

Question

At the moment I'm taking classes to bacome an accountant but that really is not my passion. I found out a while ago that being on the radio and having people listen to me is what I would really like to do. I have been trying to find out what is needed to get into the radio show business. What kind of school do I need to get into? What school offers this? and how long does it take?

Well if anyone has an idea of what I'm asking I would greatly appreciate it if you would answer me please. I'm completely clueless and I have been trying to find out through the internet but its not working so far.

Thank you,

Edith

Answer 1

One way to get a shot at it is to intern for a radio station. Most stations nowadays require that your educational discipline is in broadcasting, like Mass Communications. However, some do not have that requirement (usually smaller market M&P's). Getting an internship could allow you to get a real inside view of how they do business. Not neccessarily how everybody does business, though. Talk to a guidance counselor to see if they have any insight and connections to make this happen.

My career started out with an internship, and I have been in broadcasting all of my life and I love it. Not all the glam everyone thinks it is, but a great job if you can stay focused and keep you heart in it. Good luck.

Answer 2

You need experience. certainly understanding how to work the dials and k***s are quickly mastered, but it don't mean a thing if you cannot get airtime.

Believe me, if you can work the financial end, radio stations are always looking for that.

talent is a dime a dozen, but someone who understands traffic (not traffic reports) or can manage the ad accounts can write their own ticket

Answer 3

http://www.media-courses.com/boxespages/...

Answer 4

OK, here's my brief version on how to get in radio. 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

In your case, maybe you can turn your skills with accounting 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 acountants and business managers.

-a guy named duh