Professional lifecycle of a jock

[fremont]

Knowing people who worked as DJs, it seems like there's little chance of pulling a Larry Nelson or a Steve Slaton and working your entire career behind the mike. I'm sure it's always been true to some degree, but, with the corporatization of radio, the pace has seemingly quickened.

Why would a 20-something choose this line of work? What lies ahead for 90% of those who actually land a DJ gig? Account exec? PD? Voiceover work? DJ'ing Jr High dances?

My father, who was in sales for 36 years, liked to say "There's a reason there aren't many old salespeople."

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

I had a ball in the biz fulltime in my teens and some of my 20's. Then I kinda grew up and realized getting bagged at a moment's notice was not fair to other people who would be tagging along the life journey. So I found another career, and then would do the radio thing PART-time from then on. Never regretted that choice, as it made it more of a "hobby" than a profession. You can still be involved, still have fun, and don't have to worry every few weeks when the new PD comes in and decides you're in the cross-hairs.

Unfortunately, though, the OPPORTUNITY to even do that has diminished ... many weekends are tracked, many utility positions bagged (in favor of music marathons if some jock is sick), so the CHANCE to do that strategy has faded quite a bit. Nevertheless, it's what I recommend.

Even as a "peripheral" player these days (have been in the new media side of radio for over a decade), the opportunities are becoming more scarce. If you have another outlet to exercise your creativity and passion ... pursue that FIRST. I would think radio is more of a "last resort" these days....even though recruiting efforts have trouble finding younger people who want IN because they seem to think radio has already passed away.

 

[SeattleRadioPro]

I had a ball in the biz fulltime in my teens and some of my 20's. Then I kinda grew up and realized getting bagged at a moment's notice was not fair to other people who would be tagging along the life journey. So I found another career, and then would do the radio thing PART-time from then on. Never regretted that choice, as it made it more of a "hobby" than a profession. You can still be involved, still have fun, and don't have to worry every few weeks when the new PD comes in and decides you're in the cross-hairs.

Unfortunately, though, the OPPORTUNITY to even do that has diminished ... many weekends are tracked, many utility positions bagged (in favor of music marathons if some jock is sick), so the CHANCE to do that strategy has faded quite a bit. Nevertheless, it's what I recommend.

Totally agree, LBB. Of course a few 20-somethings will go on to great radio careers - but it's the exception rather than the norm.

If one is really lucky, they'll marry a spouse who's both understanding of how radio works and is also willing to "carry the ball" in a financial sense so the radio junkie can continue to play in the field they love. That too is a very rare thing.

 

[Bongwater]

I had a ball in the biz fulltime in my teens and some of my 20's. Then I kinda grew up and realized getting bagged at a moment's notice was not fair to other people who would be tagging along the life journey. So I found another career, and then would do the radio thing PART-time from then on. Never regretted that choice, as it made it more of a "hobby" than a profession. You can still be involved, still have fun, and don't have to worry every few weeks when the new PD comes in and decides you're in the cross-hairs.

Unfortunately, though, the OPPORTUNITY to even do that has diminished ... many weekends are tracked, many utility positions bagged (in favor of music marathons if some jock is sick), so the CHANCE to do that strategy has faded quite a bit. Nevertheless, it's what I recommend.

Totally agree, LBB. Of course a few 20-somethings will go on to great radio careers - but it's the exception rather than the norm.

If one is really lucky, they'll marry a spouse who's both understanding of how radio works and is also willing to "carry the ball" in a financial sense so the radio junkie can continue to play in the field they love. That too is a very rare thing.

Or just get a new career and enjoy it for the money it brings, if nothing else particularly...

There's internet radio, Part 15, etc. To my wife, it's a hobb - OK, a sickness of mine. But to me....I'm just biding my time.....until the planets align....in a certain way.....then....VENGEANCE IS MINE!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!:

"Honey what's that enormous satellite dish on the roof that's aimed at some defunct Russian spy satellite somewhere in orbit?"

"Um..it's for...uhh...that new HD dish network...you know, with all the latest movies in HD?"

"Well get it off the roof, we're still paying $200 a month to Comcast. And it looks ugly up there. The neighbors are starting to talk..."

"But..."

"..and what's this list of transponders to every radio satellite network in America doing on the fridge.."

"It's just um, a reminder list?"

"Fine, but I also want you to unplug all that electronic crap you got in the attic. It's causing brownouts all over the block..."

Grumble..grumble...grumble....