From radio to a "real" job - successful transitions?

[blueboy]

I posted on other boards but feel it is a universal situation. I've known many people over the last year or two who have found that their radio career has unceremoniously ended. Some still cling to the idea of working again. A few have given up radio and given in to depression. Others are trying to find direction outside of radio but either don't posses or don't recognize any of their transferable skills. I'm wondering if any of you have a success story about yourself or someone else who made the transition to something completely outside of broadcasting.

 

[blueboy]

I thought I might reboot this with a couple examples. In the early '90's I knew a pt weekend jock at WXTU who had worked ft in NJ during the week until getting fired. He decided to make the leap out of radio to sell life insurance. Another jock who got fired from mornings in the Lehigh Valley discovered his skills translated better to tv. He is now a presenter on QVC. Getting fired stinks and can obliterate your sense of worth. The experience can make it impossible for some in this situation to objectively judge their transferable skills. If you had never prepared for another line of work it can be frightening. Just know you do have choices if you are struggling with this.

 

[amfmsw]

Well, many quality engineers, once a full-time staple, were replaced with contract engineers. They were the 1st to go. Many of the better ones became Independent Contractors themselves, especially if they were good at problem solving or running interferece (pardon the refernce) with the FCC for smaller operators. Some went to great careers with the Phone Company, satellite firms, cellular phone services, security services, one I know just retired from the current incarnation of Muzak with a nice pension.

Some DJs went to clubs, where they were already suplimenting their income anyway. A few smart ones focused and teamed with wedding/party planners and earn a nice income doing both events and clubs. But they don't look at it as pocket money, they take it seriously. Some created internet Stations, but few have figured out how to turn a profit. Royalties are real dollars.

Some sales people went into Real Estate or Auto Sales, both of which also fell on hard times. Some Internet sales.

The talent that was on-the-air for decades in the same community could still demand a nice check for voiceover work from home with a simple AT-2020 kit plugged into the USB port to record! $149 from BSW. And it sounds better than the $600 EV they used at the station.

Some took anything to put food on the table that was honest work.