• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Broadcast schools

M

Mr.Bojangles

Guest
Hi there,
My name is Patrick, I stumbled across this board while I was trying figure out what in the world was going on with Free FM. I must say that this is a great board with lots of interesting and informative discussions, my compliments to you all.
The reason for this post is I am seeking advice (yep, I’m a newbie). I’m 29 years old and fed up with chasing careers that everyone else thinks I should do, when all I’ve really ever wanted to do was radio. I am currently researching some broadcast schools here in Phoenix and even one program that sets you up with someone in the industry as a mentor. However, I did a search on this site and from what I read, a quick 7 month broadcast school might not be the best route to take. So, I’m asking for any advice on schools or getting into the industry from anyone willing to offer it. Many thanks and much appreciation to any advice offered.
 
DangerousLoner said:
Advice w/absolutely no sarcasm intended?

Sales.
Click to expand...

Sales, or go work for a dj company if you just want to have fun playing music/entertaining people and get some extra cash.
 
I'd say board-op or promotions lackey (the guy who sets up the remote broadcast equipment). A lot of people say promotions isn't worth snot: you bust your tail off, get bossed around, and work long hours (esp. if you're full-time). BUT, the one thing you get is experience. You interact with the on-air staff, you learn some basic audio equipment skills, get free food (sometimes), and you meet some cool people. Perhaps if you let a cool PD (program director...head of the on-air aspect of a station) know what you want to do, he might let you pre-record a weekend shift if you get good enough.

As for how to "get in"? E-mail a DJ and say you're real interested in radio and want to see if you can get a tour of the place. At the end, ask if they have any employment applications for you to fill out

Sales can be tough if you've never done it before...I'd rather not recommend it. And while the "mentor" setups are OK, they co$t $ome money.

Just persist, and you'll get something figured out

Radio-X
 
Mr.Bojangles:

With pure sincerety - RUN FAR AWAY

Broadcast schools are worthless. You can't teach someone to have a broadcast voice. If you don't have it, they can't give it to you...but they'd gladly take your cash and tell you they can.

Radio is not what it was. The talent pool is shrinking and incomes are on a downward trend. Even sales isn't the income generator it once was. A good AE used to make a solid six figure income. Now? Not so easy.

Deregulation destroyed radio. I loved it once, but now just consider it a dull, meaningless grind. Radio will not love you back.

Do you want to work for MBA market managers who won't know you by name, let alone recognize your face? Want to learn about voice tracking? Canned, over-consulted and contrived formats? Fragmentation from iPod, satellite, streaming audio and upcoming technologies from mobile phone carriers?

Like any deregulated industry, radio is due for some very tough times ahead. I feel for the broadcast professionals that live paycheck to paycheck, hoping it will get better instead of worse.

Sorry to sound so negative, but there are a lot of people in every aspect of radio that feel the same way I do. Please do your homework before you make any decisions.
 
Mr Bojangles,
DANCING won't help you. You can't see that on the radio.

Broadcasting schools are all ripoffs and no good. Get appointments and go see a station manager or 2. Tell them of your interest. Be prepared!

Good luck.
 
I have a certificate from a broadcasting school and it is practically worthless. You need to go to school and get a degree in Mass Communication. Learn TV/video/Movie/news and other related fields. If you already have a College degree it will be much easier because you will not have to take general education math/english credits. If you do not have any college then you could be in for a hard road as you will have to take the College Math credits which will include algebra and statistics. If you are not good in Math or science like Chemistry it will be a long haul. Plus it cost money. If your heart is into it then nothing will stop you. You have to figure out how bad you want it.
 
Mr.Bojangles said:
Hi there,
My name is Patrick, I stumbled across this board while I was trying figure out what in the world was going on with Free FM. I must say that this is a great board with lots of interesting and informative discussions, my compliments to you all.
The reason for this post is I am seeking advice (yep, I’m a newbie). I’m 29 years old and fed up with chasing careers that everyone else thinks I should do, when all I’ve really ever wanted to do was radio. I am currently researching some broadcast schools here in Phoenix and even one program that sets you up with someone in the industry as a mentor. However, I did a search on this site and from what I read, a quick 7 month broadcast school might not be the best route to take. So, I’m asking for any advice on schools or getting into the industry from anyone willing to offer it. Many thanks and much appreciation to any advice offered.
Click to expand...

I must echo the sentiments of others in this thread. Broadcast schools are, by far, the biggest scam going. While it is true that many of them will teach you some technical skills, such as use of editing software and a basic understanding for automation and all the other fine gadgets in this business, they are practically incapable of assuring you will land a job anywhere.

Getting into radio is a complete roll of the dice, it is not necessarily about talent nor skill these days, it's more having to do with right place/right time.

My best advice to you, and I know I have a flare for the sarcastic rhetoric, but don't bother with radio... it's not worth it these days and you will find it is less and less rewarding both emotionally and financially over the upcoming numbers of years.
 
Patrick if you know nothing about radio a good radio school can teach the basics...this is a mic, these are levels, this is how you read news and help you with job placement. Brown Radio School in Minneapolis will do just that and help you find jobs as long as your in radio.

Or you can bug the hell out of a PD at a radio station you want to work for until he/she hires you. Start out at the bottom and work your way up. Give yourself 3 years of learning and doing everything you can. Say yes to whatever oppurtunities, work more than your required, bitch less than anyone else and after 3 years if you still love it get a tape/CD/email together and send it to every radio station you want to work for. Follow up once a week and keeping bugging them until they say yes.

Programming takes awhile to make really good cash, but it's there. Sales you make what you want to. How bad do you want it? It doesn't happen over night, read out loud everyday and get to know the people who can help you advance...networking. Good luck it's a great ride.
 
A job board is something we're looking at very hard. We already allow users to post openings. If there's a specific market or region you're interested in, then I recommend you look at the those boards. I see dozens of openings posted every week.

Thank you for your thoughts on what you'd like to see more of on the site and feel free to offer more of them on Ask Radio-Info.
 
Patrick,

First you have to be totally honest with yourself in regards to your natural ability. Either you've got it or you don't. No school will give you the natural talent that's required for succeeding on-air.

As mentioned here, luck far outweighs talent in this business.

No way would I ever recommend going to college to become a dj. That's just plain absurd. If you're going to go to college, major in business or go to trade school and learn something to fall back on during the many lean times in radio.

Yes, you could toil as a promotions grunt or receptionist for years here in Phoenix, but your chances are slim of ever moving beyond board op.

Broadcast schools give you the knowledge to become competent in the mechanics of radio. There are plenty of on-air talents in this market who are broadcast school alumni. John Holmberg attended the Academy of Radio and TV. However, he was born with the ingredients it took him to succeed-brains and personality.

Your best bet for getting an on-air job is to move to somewhere like Kalispell Montana and working for minimum wage. Pay your dues for a few years, rack up some experience and then try to crack the Valley market.

If you have a family to support, better hope your wife has a lucrative, flexible career.

Good Luck!
JD Clover
 
john david clover said:
Patrick,

First you have to be totally honest with yourself in regards to your natural ability. Either you've got it or you don't. No school will give you the natural talent that's required for succeeding on-air.

As mentioned here, luck far outweighs talent in this business.

No way would I ever recommend going to college to become a dj. That's just plain absurd. If you're going to go to college, major in business or go to trade school and learn something to fall back on during the many lean times in radio.

Yes, you could toil as a promotions grunt or receptionist for years here in Phoenix, but your chances are slim of ever moving beyond board op.

Broadcast schools give you the knowledge to become competent in the mechanics of radio. There are plenty of on-air talents in this market who are broadcast school alumni. John Holmberg attended the Academy of Radio and TV. However, he was born with the ingredients it took him to succeed-brains and personality.

Your best bet for getting an on-air job is to move to somewhere like Kalispell Montana and working for minimum wage. Pay your dues for a few years, rack up some experience and then try to crack the Valley market.

If you have a family to support, better hope your wife has a lucrative, flexible career.

Good Luck!
JD Clover
Click to expand...

I wonder how much impact, if any, Holmberg's attending the academy had on his career in radio. My guess- none. As a now seasoned broadcast professional, i would hazzard to guess that he would likely speak out against the academy. Of course, that is just me thinking out loud.
 
Wow everybody! Many, many thanks for all the replies and advice. It is very appreciated. Looks like I have some decisions to make and some PD' s to pester!
 
Being in radio everyone makes it out just like going to la or nyc to be an actor luck and perseverance takes the day. But radio is a part of the entertainment profession.
 
Patrick,

I have to say, as someone who knows, Mr. Carlson nailed it.

I was being a little flippant when I said "Sales," but the business is NOT what it was even 6 or 7 years ago. PDs and Jocks are taking on more and more stations. I can't think of any major station where you can get a meaningful on-air opportunity from scratch in less than maybe 10 years. There's just not the opportunity there used to be. WAY too many qualified people chasing WAY too few jobs.

Learn Flash, Java, Ruby-on-rails, AJAX and other web development skills. That's where media opportunities lie.
 
Mr.Bojangles:

With pure sincerety - RUN FAR AWAY

No disagreement here. I'm now working on giving Vampires back their good name.
It'll take time, and I most likely will not survive.

At least I can say I tried.

perk
 
Mr B,
I had a deep love for radio since about age 9. I used to "hang out" at several Chicago radio stations.

When I was 12 I got my FIRST radio job; getting pitchers of Tom Collins, soda and pizza for a Saturday night classical music announcer at WXFM, Elmwood Park, IL (near Chicago) He eventually let me start records.

From 1973-85 I owned 4 radio stations and 4 construction permits. I retired from radio, and have had a few other careers since. I'm very happy.

Chase your dream.

If you meet the right station manager you too can have a great career. Find the door, Knock and it shall be opened to you. Seek and you shall find.Good luck.
 
hammondo said:
When I was 12 I got my FIRST radio job; getting pitchers of Tom Collins, soda and pizza for a Saturday night classical music announcer at WXFM, Elmwood Park, IL (near Chicago) He eventually let me start records.
Click to expand...

You operated the turntables at a Chicago-area radio station?
I hope the AFM local never found out. ;)
 
WXFM (now wckg) was non-union in 1961. Most of the fm's in the city were no unin combo operations. I'm also certain that WDHF and WFMF, WFMQ and WCLM were all non-union.

The WXFM dj (Todd Branson) was a Milwaukee sportscaster (also non-union) moonlighting at the classical station on Saturday night. The full-timers there were ALL non-union.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom