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Connecticut school of broadcasting questions

C

cypress_mixer

Hi all,
I am seriously considering attending the CSB,and I am wondering if anyone has any input.Do you think it is a smart move?Is this a good way to go about getting into the business?Would a CSB graduate make a better hire if you were making the calls?Any experiences working with a grad?,or are there any grads on this board?...if so,what should I expect.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
thanks.
 
> Hi all,
> I am seriously considering attending the CSB,and I am
> wondering if anyone has any input.

You should volunteer somewhere at a local radio station. Or get a college degree in something else while volunteering at the college station. You can teach people how to work the controls, but you can't teach talent.
 
What you can expect to learn at CSB:
Running a board
Pro Tools and Cool Edit
How to edit on REEL TO REEL (they're thorough)
Other studio operation stuff (minidisc, carts, DATs, etc)
How to write a spot
How to read a spot
How to put together an aircheck
Formatics of a "break"
All that TV b.s. too

Upside: Classes taught by people currently working in Tampa radio. The networking opportunities are great, and the director works very hard to try to place all students. Normally the ones that have an ounce of talent get an interning gig somewhere. Also, looks good on a resume that you already know how to handle the equipment. You might even get a p/t paid gig as a production assistant.

Downside: It's ridiculously expensive, and when you're done you'll STILL have to intern somewhere. However, in the age of consolidation, there are not many people working in radio right now that would have time to mentor you.

On paper, a CSB graduate looks better than a GED graduate. You might want to also consider pursuing an additional "degree" to fall back on if things don't work out. A few CSB graduates have managed to form shows and get airtime on AM stations. But be aware that there's no guarantee that you'll get a job in TV or radio, and there are NO refunds.

Good luck-
 
If you have the financial resources, it's a great way to learn. But I don't know any program director that would hire someone just because they've graduated from CSB. It will give you an advantage over someone with no experience, and put you at a slight disadvantage to someone with two or four years of college radio experience.

In the end, the best way to get employed by a radio station is to do an accredited internship (volunteering is illegal...they have to compensate you with college credits or money), and then learn from EVERYONE you can. Barring that, try to get a job doing anything... even part-time... at a radio station you admire.

Good luck... perseverance is a great trait, so don't give up!


> Hi all,
> I am seriously considering attending the CSB,and I am
> wondering if anyone has any input.Do you think it is a smart
> move?Is this a good way to go about getting into the
> business?Would a CSB graduate make a better hire if you were
> making the calls?Any experiences working with a grad?,or are
> there any grads on this board?...if so,what should I expect.
>
> Any input would be greatly appreciated.
> thanks.
>
 
Get a part time job at a small station and learn everything you can. Do NOT expect to land a job at a big rated station within your first five years. Do plan to move around alot. I asked a recent CSB graduate if they thought their CSB training was worth it and I got a resounding "NO!" (Apologies to Ron Harris) I wish you the best.
 
Another option....

IS the broadcast Training Network or the BTN. I work with them regularly and just graduated my latest student and he's now employed here part-time. You(the student) pay them like $1500 they get you in with a radio pig like myself and we train here in house with the workshops they provide. You work in the REAL environment vs. a simulated one. Plus you are making connections while in house here that could REALLY help you along A LOT faster. Just be ready to bust your ass either way and LISTEN to people and thier advice. We ALL have something we can learn from someone else @ one time or another. It can make your road to success a lot smoother....

http://www.learn-by-doing.com/

rig
 
> If you have the financial resources, it's a great way to
> learn. But I don't know any program director that would hire
> someone just because they've graduated from CSB. It will
> give you an advantage over someone with no experience, and
> put you at a slight disadvantage to someone with two or four
> years of college radio experience.
>
> In the end, the best way to get employed by a radio station
> is to do an accredited internship (volunteering is
> illegal...they have to compensate you with college credits
> or money), and then learn from EVERYONE you can. Barring
> that, try to get a job doing anything... even part-time...
> at a radio station you admire.
>
> Good luck... perseverance is a great trait, so don't give
> up!
>


> Rick Sklar for real!!! Possibly the smartest PD in the business. At the very least, formed my programming philosophy (and that of many others).




> > Hi all,
> > I am seriously considering attending the CSB,and I am
> > wondering if anyone has any input.Do you think it is a
> smart
> > move?Is this a good way to go about getting into the
> > business?Would a CSB graduate make a better hire if you
> were
> > making the calls?Any experiences working with a grad?,or
> are
> > there any grads on this board?...if so,what should I
> expect.
> >
> > Any input would be greatly appreciated.
> > thanks.
> >
>
 
I am not in this market, but in Hartford, CT, where there is obviously a CSB. When I was the GM of a small AM station, I took on some interns from CSB. As it turns out, I had to RETRAIN most of them. There were maybe 2 or 3 out of the many that "got it". So, despite what a poster said below, I would hire the GED grad before a CSB grad. (If I'm gonna spend time training, I'd rather they didn't already have bad habits)

If you must spend money, go the learn-by-doing.com way (also in a message below). What I advocate is to start an internship (most likely unpaid) at ANY station that will take you. Show INITIATIVE. Make yourself as available as possible for the crappy jobs. You will earn the respect of the staff, and they will move you up.

CSB grads come in with an "I already know how to do it" attitude. I would say "okay", and leave them be to perform the task. Inevitably, I would get called back to "help them" because they "forgot". There is something about that CSB Certiicate that makes people think they are the next Howard Stern.

Also remember the radio field is more competitive that ever. No matter what you decide, it is up to you and how hard you work to achieve your goals. Just because you get a CSB Certificate, does not mean you are "guaranteed" a job. <P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
It is a big step, but if you have the resources, time, and determination you can succeed. However, Expect to move alot. Expect to work weekends and holidays starting out. Expect crappy pay. Learn all you can learn. And most importantly, expect to get FIRED! If you do get fired, don't take it personal, unless they tell you that you suck! lol

If you want, I can put you in touch with some recent CSB grads that would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.


> Hi all,
> I am seriously considering attending the CSB,and I am
> wondering if anyone has any input.Do you think it is a smart
> move?Is this a good way to go about getting into the
> business?Would a CSB graduate make a better hire if you were
> making the calls?Any experiences working with a grad?,or are
> there any grads on this board?...if so,what should I expect.
>
> Any input would be greatly appreciated.
> thanks.
>
 
Okay so there are such places as CSB..and American Broadcasting School out of Oklahoma. I find it amusing that they don't use thier own graduates to do thier commercials. They hired me, and a Flash Content producer from Maryland to do thier website video..as well as thier radio spots in three different markets. The fact is that getting an "internship" is nearly impossible for the "average person". In a lot of states there are laws prohibiting companies from allowing volunteers to "contribute" time and work for the exchange of learning. Then radio stations whine about there not being any new talent out here.

Let those who are interested attend, and graduate from these broadcasting schools, and weigh thier abilities along with a meager paycheck. Most of the time the small pay, and the bizarre hours will weed out those who really want to do this from those who think it to be an easy way to make gobs of cash.

And a note to the schools themselves...take advice from the industry and ask them periodically what they would want in a graduate..What can they teach more of, or better? Then DO it!

The days of wandering in off the street, and wanting to "hang around" to learn at your average station are g-o-n-e.

What can you really learn from watching a Prophit computer go through it's paces anyway?
 
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