Calling All Interns

[cabradio]

I am looking for 6-7 people, each to intern 2-3 hours per week.

I am looking for Producers. You will be responsible for specific locally produced shows. You will run the board, record the show, upload to podcast, produce commercials, write commercials, a little bit of EVERYTHING. You get to be a BIG fish in a small pond. This is great experience for a short resume. Some positions will be paid...some are not.

Contact me via email *first*. Let me know what kind of experience you have, if any. Let me know that you have transportation, and what you're availability is. I would *prefer* availability between 9a-11a/12p Mon-Fri. BUT, don't let that stop you from applying. I may be able to accommodate various schedules including Saturday and Sunday, and/or some evenings.

So, if you want to expand your radio experience, and be a part of a new growing format in radio, send me an email with WXCT INTERN in the subject line. This is a simple instruction that must be followed if you want to be considered.

 

[MarcB]

Good luck, Charlie. I hope things work out for you.

 

[Ozman]

sometimes I wish the new-haven springfield commuter rail road line was in use already...
it be a nice 3 mile walk from the trainstation...
I'd look into it if that wasn't holding me up..

I am looking for 6-7 people, each to intern 2-3 hours per week.

I am looking for Producers. You will be responsible for specific locally produced shows. You will run the board, record the show, upload to podcast, produce commercials, write commercials, a little bit of EVERYTHING. You get to be a BIG fish in a small pond. This is great experience for a short resume. Some positions will be paid...some are not.

Contact me via email *first*. Let me know what kind of experience you have, if any. Let me know that you have transportation, and what you're availability is. I would *prefer* availability between 9a-11a/12p Mon-Fri. BUT, don't let that stop you from applying. I may be able to accommodate various schedules including Saturday and Sunday, and/or some evenings.

So, if you want to expand your radio experience, and be a part of a new growing format in radio, send me an email with WXCT INTERN in the subject line. This is a simple instruction that must be followed if you want to be considered.

 

[cabradio]

Hi Jamie,

There is no train station in Southington. The one in Meriden is more than 3 miles away.

 

[Whale]

I'd do it if it weren't all the way in Southington. Gas prices going up over $3 this summer, gotta save.

 

[caliv]

LOOK AT YOU PEOPLE...All posting LAME excuses as to why you "wish you could" but, can't.
This board is FULL of wannabe's who talk about how there is no entry position in radio and how corp. radio KILLED the biz....But, what do you do when somebody offers up a chance to get in...PASS. I guess you are all above board op gigs. Gas is too expensive, the train is too far away. I hate to sound like the "old man" here but I gotta tell you I lived on a package of hotdogs for more than a week EVERY week and didnt have a car or a place of my own but i did have a part time part board op part on air gig in albany when I started out. I also lived about 2 and a half hours away from albany. I (like many others in the biz) did anything and EVERYTHING I could to get a break. A 3 mile walk to the train or a part time job to pay for gas is NOTHING.

 

[chris560]

LOOK AT YOU PEOPLE...All posting LAME excuses as to why you "wish you could" but, can't.
This board is FULL of wannabe's who talk about how there is no entry position in radio and how corp. radio KILLED the biz....But, what do you do when somebody offers up a chance to get in...PASS. I guess you are all above board op gigs. Gas is too expensive, the train is too far away. I hate to sound like the "old man" here but I gotta tell you I lived on a package of hotdogs for more than a week EVERY week and didnt have a car or a place of my own but i did have a part time part board op part on air gig in albany when I started out. I also lived about 2 and a half hours away from albany. I (like many others in the biz) did anything and EVERYTHING I could to get a break. A 3 mile walk to the train or a part time job to pay for gas is NOTHING.

NICELY put CALIV!!! I remember the days of nothing but Hot Dogs & if it were a GOOD week I'd get myself a few boxes of the white box/black lettering (generic) Macaroni & Cheese. Anyway, long story short - As I moved up the ladder & became PD of a big FM in Central New Hampshire I met up with a guy who was chomping at the bit to get his foot on the door. He called me one day, I'll never forget it, one of the wildest winter storms in memory, asking if I had any openings. I told him there might be something available in the next couple of months. Told him to swing by when he had a moment and we would discuss further. No more than 30 minutes later this "kid" came bounding in the door, dressed in a suit & tie with dress shoes (not snow boots) on - soaked to the skin. HAHAHA! I'll bet his feet are STILL soggy from that walk! Wouldn't you know it? I hired him on the spot. He had the "bug" and NOTHING would stop him. He reminded me of the many things I would do just to get in front of a PD. Walk, run, bummed rides & gas money. I guess the moral of the story is; if you've got the bug, you've got the bug. If you don't? You complain about the price of gas or a three mile walk!

 

[Turntable]

LOOK AT YOU PEOPLE...All posting LAME excuses as to why you "wish you could" but, can't.
This board is FULL of wannabe's who talk about how there is no entry position in radio and how corp. radio KILLED the biz....But, what do you do when somebody offers up a chance to get in...PASS. I guess you are all above board op gigs. Gas is too expensive, the train is too far away. I hate to sound like the "old man" here but I gotta tell you I lived on a package of hotdogs for more than a week EVERY week and didnt have a car or a place of my own but i did have a part time part board op part on air gig in albany when I started out. I also lived about 2 and a half hours away from albany. I (like many others in the biz) did anything and EVERYTHING I could to get a break. A 3 mile walk to the train or a part time job to pay for gas is NOTHING.

Dude, what's your beef? Maybe you didn't notice the word INTERN in Charlie's O/P?

Most people who would be interested in any of these positions are younger people without their own transportation and/or on a slim budget.

In today's world, doing anything and everything you could to get a break in radio would only be realistic if there was a chance of that break making you the next Rush Limbaugh or Howard Stern. Therefore, you defeat the very point you try to make. Pretzel logic. This is a different day and age, and things perhaps aren't the same as when you got into radio. Give these kids a break, and step down from your high horse, would ya?

I'm another one of those who "would if I could but I can't". It isn't because I don't have a car, it isn't because I can't afford gas, it isn't because it's too far away (my girlfriend lives in Southington) and it isn't because there is no train station there. It's because I hold down a steady, well-paying day job and need to be there every day. I have no time to "play radio" anymore.

I would, however, consider a flexible on-call status thing where I could produce spots and do some voice work for 'XCT if Charlie would find that helpful. Charlie, if you're reading this, I'll get in touch with you soon.

-A

 

[PaulBWalkerJr]

To those who genuinely can't take a position like this because of a day job or school, I truly understand.

To those who can't because they don't wanna walk or drive that far, oh well.. with an attitude like that.. you'll never get anywhere.

I know I haven't had the best jobs or even been there for long sometimes, but i sure tried hard. I moved over 1000 miles away from home for my first job and over 1500 miles away from home for my third job. And here I am again, in Upstate SOuth Carolina over 1000 miles away from home.

Think of it, when you have to move far, far from home for your first radio job to a small station in a small market... as a learning expierience about more then radio. In a small town, you meet lots of people and make new friends. You also learn about local "culture".

You've got nothing to lose but the expierience you could've had. I enjoyed my time in Mississippi, Florida North Dakota and New Hampshire. If it hadn't been for my "OH, I've never lived there before, I'll meet new people" attitude when I left for Mississippi, I never would'vbe had the balls to do it 3 or 4 more times. And here I am..... Managing and Programming a Small Station all by myself.

If you work hard and show people you deserve it, you'd be surprise what they'll do for you or where you might end up. Sure, you may not like small markets.. but that's where you gotta start. However, that's also where you gain the most expierience.. and that all around hands on expierience is what will make you valuable to another broadcaster 1 or 2 years down the road

If I want something bad enough, I've ALWAYS found a way to make it work!!

Sure, I'm far from perfect.. but i wanted to offer my 2 cents.. for what they might be worth.

 

[cabradio]

Dude, what's your beef? Maybe you didn't notice the word INTERN in Charlie's O/P?

Most people who would be interested in any of these positions are younger people without their own transportation and/or on a slim budget.

In today's world, doing anything and everything you could to get a break in radio would only be realistic if there was a chance of that break making you the next Rush Limbaugh or Howard Stern. Therefore, you defeat the very point you try to make. Pretzel logic. This is a different day and age, and things perhaps aren't the same as when you got into radio. Give these kids a break, and step down from your high horse, would ya?

I'm another one of those who "would if I could but I can't". It isn't because I don't have a car, it isn't because I can't afford gas, it isn't because it's too far away (my girlfriend lives in Southington) and it isn't because there is no train station there. It's because I hold down a steady, well-paying day job and need to be there every day. I have no time to "play radio" anymore.

I would, however, consider a flexible on-call status thing where I could produce spots and do some voice work for 'XCT if Charlie would find that helpful. Charlie, if you're reading this, I'll get in touch with you soon.

-A

I think you miss their point, Alan. They aren't saying people should quit their jobs for an internship. They are saying to stop making "excuses" for not doing one. There are plenty of opportunities, not only here at WXCT but at other stations too, that can work around various schedules. You have to be willing to do what is necessary (within reason for your personal obligations, of course) and stop expecting things to be handed to you. You have to show the stations that you are eager. Making excuses for not even making contact shows a lack of desire, a lack of passion.

I think that expectation you mention of only doing "anything and everything" only if they could be the next Howard or Rush is inappropriate. That would be like telling musicians don't make any effort unless you can be the next U2, or Justin Timberlake. When you have the passion, you do whatever it takes, no matter what the reward. Because the reward is "doing what you love", not the financial gain or fame.

I have had someone email me from San Francisco just looking for that ONE chance to get their foot in the door. I have someone willing to drive TWO hours for that ONE chance too... It seems most people want things handed to them instead of making a valiant effort to show their enthusiasm, reliability and dedication. If you have transportation issues, you make arrangements. If you have a schedule conflict you explore the opportunities with the station to find what you CAN do and stop dwelling on what you CAN'T. You have to position yourself to be at the right place at the right time with the appropriate experience. Not doing ANYTHING gets you NOWHERE fast.

It's not about shirking responsibilities to keep food on your table, but about finding out HOW you can get your foot in the door. Many stations have opportunities that will work around your schedule...you have to make an effort to find out about them, and act on them.

 

[Turntable]

OK. I stand corrected. Perhaps I was exaggerating with the Rush and Stern comment. However, the fact of the matter is that in today's radio world you'd have to work VERY hard just to land a position in radio that pays decent money. Engineering, voiceover, and commercial production (on a national level, not just local production) may be lucrative to those with the talent and technical knowledge, but for the average on-air hopeful, it's next to impossible unless you're already independently wealthy and view it as a hobby. With today's corporate, largely automated and voicetracked radio industry, you'd be hard-pressed to make a decent living on radio alone.

Perhaps if there were more locally focused stations like WXCT, there would be more room for careers, but sadly, it's a declining industry.

-A

 

[justareporter]

I agree completely with those who suggest (in effect0, "you have to invest some of yourself in this business FIRST before anyting happens." I know I did and I think most who write on this board have had to as well.

That said, many TV stations and some radio stations have now recognized the need for "paid" or "subsidized' internships. $5 a day for gas or a bus ticket (in those markets obviously where there are buses) in many cases goes a LONG way.

I can think of lots of stations that can't afford it, and as many that can.

 

[PaulBWalkerJr]

That said, many TV stations and some radio stations have now recognized the need for "paid" or "subsidized' internships. $5 a day for gas or a bus ticket (in those markets obviously where there are buses) in many cases goes a LONG way.

I can think of lots of stations that can't afford it, and as many that can.

So can I, the station I work at being one of them. I'm having a hard time finding a sales person when I can only afford to pay 35 percent commission with no base or gas allowance. I realize how important some of this stuff is, but when you simply can't afford it.. you can't give someone something you don't have.

 

[MarcB]

Unfortuantely Charlie's gonna need one more intern than he thought as I failed my driving test again.

 

[justareporter]

35% wow!

Most I ever heard of was 20% with a base. It is why I am always in awe of those folks who can truly "sell."

 

[PaulBWalkerJr]

Well, since I can't offer base or gas allowance, I figure 35 percfent is a nice incentive.

 

[GreatCalloftheNE]

Well, since I can't offer base or gas allowance, I figure 35 percfent is a nice incentive.

Why don't you let the salesperson find a trade for the gas? When I was selling in Hartford just about everyone in the sales department had a gas trade.

 

[Whale]

Is the studio off the bus line? I no longer have a car, so I cannot drive there. Is there a way to take public transit from Hartford?

 

[MarcB]

There's an Express bus provided by Dattco that goes from Hartford to the Plantsville section of Southington. It drops and picks up people at the Commuter Lot across from Gene's Restaurant, which is a short drive and a 15-20 min walk (I never walked it so I don't know for sure). from the WXCT building. Getting off the bus at the commuter lot you would cross Route 10 and walk up Mullbery Street. Then you'd go left onto Old Turnpike Road. And walk. The station is on the left just past the Town Dump and Chuck & Eddies Junkyard. It's a white cinder block building (with a sign that says WNTY on it) with two towers in the back (and the mailbox is missing from the curb).