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What to expect? I need your input.

Y

yragha

I was recently laid off from the railroad, and for much of the past ten years it's pretty much all I've come to know. I'm now at a crossroads of sorts. I've worked on air at KWHI/ KTTX* back in 2000 and also worked in promotions under the great Coach Robert E. Lee at KILT* again back around 2000. Everything I did learn in Brenham is pretty much forgotten.

*I was working both of these and the full-time railroad here in Houston which ultimately paid the bills.

I'm weighing my options as of now but I know my first love has and always will be radio, I've just never had a chance to live it out. I'm considering going back to school kinda, KACC school that is but it brings me to the question of -

"Once I've completed that, what next?"

A) Does one start out as a board op. at some small station?
B) Does one get a shift possibly at a small station?
C) Is the industry so automated and watered down that you do what I did back in 2000 with no experience and send aircheck after aircheck after aircheck before finally getting a bite?
D) OTHER?

What can I possibly look forward to once I complete the course. I'm 35, will age work against me?

At KILT I had the pleasure meeting many that post right here on this board including LTT, Rowdy, Mike Valdez, Tom Fontaine, and the weekend overnighter whose name escapes me at the moment... she worked at KIOX in Bay City.

Railroad has been life but since I'm currently unemployed this is an opportunity. I've been waiting for a time to "train on the best systems" to possibly live the dream. Please help me with your opinions.

Thank you,
Gary
 
First of all let me make it clear that I am still employed in the business so that no one will say I'm just a old bitter former radio employee. I love this business, but it is not what it used to be. It is in fact "watered down" and with voice-tracking and triple duites to most who work in it,the pay stinks, your under appreciated and your always on the ejection seat not knowing when or how it will all end. I was offered a morning show in Austin recently for $22,000.00 a year. I made five times that much just 10 years ago. If a market like Austin can pay such low wages, I can't imagine what the smaller markets pay. I'm sorry to offer you such a negative outlook but I wouldn't recommend anyone to get into this business today. While television continues to reward its' talent with fair wages, radio owners and operators seem to have forgotten what brought 'em to the dance. Their product is what comes out of the speakers but all their interested in is how much money they can save by cutting corners to pad their pockets. No my friend, things have not gotten any better since 2000, in fact it gets worse everyday. I know you love the biz just like we all do but I swear to God that I wish I had something else to fall back on. My Mom always said I should have become a Doctor and finally I agree with her. This business is not the biz to get back in to when your 35. Unless you are the next big thing, you will be sadly disappointed trying to give it a shot again. Best of luck to you in whatever you do and if you still decide to try it in radio again, I wish you all the luck in the world.
 
Gary,

While I don't know you, I would have to say that iusedtobe has made a valid point - this is not the same business as it used to be, and while it's never been one that will make you financially wealthy, it can be rewarding.

I would recommend that you look for a small market station somewhere - small town radio that believes in localism and doing things the old way...but, understand, you will not make a lot of money - just enough to pay your bills, if you're lucky - but you will have followed your dream.

As for going to school - I would recommend against it. Find that small market station, tell them that you're willing to do whatever it takes to learn the business from the bottom up, and then do it. That's what I did nearly 20 years ago - and I'm 47 now - and yes, while I am still working, albeit part-time in this crazy business, I am still doing something that I love.

Good luck in whatever you decide.
 
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