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Looking For A Program Director Gig

You can’t “hold out for a management position” like cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation, especially when you don’t have the proper credentials.
Now that made me laugh!
 
Again, everyone here is making great points...like when George and Jerry are talking on Seinfeld, and George says "I believe I could work in sports, specifically as a baseball color analyst, because I'm always making interesting comments during the game". And Jerry replies that they "tend to give those jobs to ex players or people with actual broadcasting experience." Long story short, it's hard to become a consultant without any actual experience.
 
Going from internet radio operator to a programming consultant for commercial terrestrial radio will be even more difficult than going from internet radio operator to PD. You need to get your foot in the door first. Doing board op or promotions work may not sound exciting, but if you want to grow within the industry it’s where you’ll need to start. You can’t “hold out for a management position” like cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation, especially when you don’t have the proper credentials.
"Playlist's full!"
 
I'll chime in and say, first of all, if you're making a living and happy with what you're doing, that's great. Keep doing what you're doing so long as it meets those criteria. If, however, you're looking for a change, nothing wrong with shooting big, but I'd recommend looking at radio jobs and making two stacks. One is jobs you really want; the other is jobs you think you can get. Put those PD jobs in the "jobs I really want" category, but don't forget to apply for other jobs. If you had done that when you originally posted this not quite a year ago and landed one in the "I think I can get it" column, you'd be about 1/3 of the way to something better. It might not be a PD position, but most management and larger market jobs require at least 3 years of experience.

I worked at two college stations, and the PD of the 10 watt college rocker got a job at a large market all sports station right out of college. It was as a producer, not a PD, but that was still a case of aiming big and landing.

If you're looking for a change, the best time was 11 month ago. The next best time is now.
 
I'll chime in and say, first of all, if you're making a living and happy with what you're doing, that's great. Keep doing what you're doing so long as it meets those criteria. If, however, you're looking for a change, nothing wrong with shooting big, but I'd recommend looking at radio jobs and making two stacks. One is jobs you really want; the other is jobs you think you can get. Put those PD jobs in the "jobs I really want" category, but don't forget to apply for other jobs. If you had done that when you originally posted this not quite a year ago and landed one in the "I think I can get it" column, you'd be about 1/3 of the way to something better. It might not be a PD position, but most management and larger market jobs require at least 3 years of experience.

I worked at two college stations, and the PD of the 10 watt college rocker got a job at a large market all sports station right out of college. It was as a producer, not a PD, but that was still a case of aiming big and landing.

If you're looking for a change, the best time was 11 month ago. The next best time is now.
Kent, you are right on the nose! This has been the near-exact approach that I have done. It hasn't worked out, YET, but I hope that it does with this technique.
 
Did you contact Sam Weaver yet? I think he’d be the best person to talk to about how to become a PD, unless you know someone else who’s a PD or has been a PD. He used to write an All Access column that was really good too.
 
Did you contact Sam Weaver yet? I think he’d be the best person to talk to about how to become a PD, unless you know someone else who’s a PD or has been a PD. He used to write an All Access column that was really good too.
I'm gonna have to do that. Thanks for the suggestion!
 


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