If a college or even a high school student approached you and asked if they should seek out a career in broadcasting; be it an announcer, news reporter, or other position, what advise would YOU give ???
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What Would Your Answer Be?
- Thread starter Mark Giardina
- Start date
Define broadcasting. If you're talking about developing the skills to be a content provider for the electronic media, I'd say that there are more opportunities than ever out there. Monetizing those opportunities might be the most difficult part.
It's unlikely that anyone currently in a broadcasting career is there because they "should" be. The passionate radio people are there because they can't stop themselves. Some mysterious life force from within impels them to pursue this trade which appears to have rapidly diminishing opportunities. They're racehorses with blinders on.
That recent CBS Moneywatch article listing "broadcast announcer" as one of the top 10 disappearing jobs notwithstanding, I would absolutely advise a young person passionate about broadcasting to follow that passion.
I would also advise him that the radio of 2012 will likely evolve into something very different in the next few years. That young broadcaster needs to be completely plugged-in to trends and technological changes currently shaping radio. He must be nimble enough to embrace those things during his professional journey.
Plus, he has to have the fortitude to endure the relentless absence of job security and long periods of unemployment which will probably always characterize our field.
Nick Seneca
That recent CBS Moneywatch article listing "broadcast announcer" as one of the top 10 disappearing jobs notwithstanding, I would absolutely advise a young person passionate about broadcasting to follow that passion.
I would also advise him that the radio of 2012 will likely evolve into something very different in the next few years. That young broadcaster needs to be completely plugged-in to trends and technological changes currently shaping radio. He must be nimble enough to embrace those things during his professional journey.
Plus, he has to have the fortitude to endure the relentless absence of job security and long periods of unemployment which will probably always characterize our field.
Nick Seneca
B
Bob1370
Guest
My answer would be another question--what do you want to be? If it's to be like your traditional disk jockey/music host, that's not exactly an endangered species, but a shrinking profession at least on a local level.
If, on the other hand, talk, sports, or broadast journalism (radio, TV, online/web, or all of the above for the same organization) take in what you want to do, those genres definitely are NOT going away and there's a real need for new voices with new ideas.
If, on the other hand, talk, sports, or broadast journalism (radio, TV, online/web, or all of the above for the same organization) take in what you want to do, those genres definitely are NOT going away and there's a real need for new voices with new ideas.
"What do you want to do and how much patience do you have?" On air? There's a long line ahead of you. Every year smart, talented, attractive, ambitious students graduate from Buffalo State, Fredonia, Brockport and Oswego. They've staked out their claims interning, board-op'ing and producing at talk stations at sports and news stations and the funny team morning shows, to say nothing of being the go-to-part timer in TV station news rooms. The guys from Syracuse and Northwestern have already sent their video files to ESPN thinking they're going to be the next anchor of SportsCenter.
I'd also tell people they could make some good money selling radio if they're lucky enough to be in a good environment that nurtures newbies rather than throwing a phone book at them and telling them to hit the street. Again, if they were patient and were willing to learn the fine art of selling and providing service to their clients, they might find long term success. Every 9th grader already knows about the potential of the Internet, so there's nothing I could explain, except that everybody and his Russian cousin has a blog, website and podcast... but they already know that.
Most of all, I'd tell 'em to have a good Plan B and be ready to go to it. If they were "B+ or better" students in Chemistry, Microbiology or Engineering, I'd smack 'em upside the head or give 'em "the look," point them to the door with the final question being, "Radio? TV? Media? What are you freakin' thinkin'?!"
I'd also tell people they could make some good money selling radio if they're lucky enough to be in a good environment that nurtures newbies rather than throwing a phone book at them and telling them to hit the street. Again, if they were patient and were willing to learn the fine art of selling and providing service to their clients, they might find long term success. Every 9th grader already knows about the potential of the Internet, so there's nothing I could explain, except that everybody and his Russian cousin has a blog, website and podcast... but they already know that.
Most of all, I'd tell 'em to have a good Plan B and be ready to go to it. If they were "B+ or better" students in Chemistry, Microbiology or Engineering, I'd smack 'em upside the head or give 'em "the look," point them to the door with the final question being, "Radio? TV? Media? What are you freakin' thinkin'?!"
I doubt that I would be asked, but I would probably give the same advice that I got, not in so many words, from someone who was in the business when I was in high school: "Don't."
As much as I was disappointed, time has proven that he was right. And there's still the back door option of buying a station -- assuming I get a certain six numbers correct ;D
As much as I was disappointed, time has proven that he was right. And there's still the back door option of buying a station -- assuming I get a certain six numbers correct ;D
When was the last time you heard someone under 25 asking that question? I find more blank stares than anything else when I mention producing audio-only content.
In today's market, a better vehicle for your big break in media is having a YouTube video go viral. Recent examples: Rebecca Black, the Jib-Jab guys, a bunch of people with pet cats and time on their hands...
If you have a ridiculous video that gets attention online, you can easily wind up on The Tonight Show or TV newscasts.
In today's market, a better vehicle for your big break in media is having a YouTube video go viral. Recent examples: Rebecca Black, the Jib-Jab guys, a bunch of people with pet cats and time on their hands...
If you have a ridiculous video that gets attention online, you can easily wind up on The Tonight Show or TV newscasts.
For years, our local radio organization put on its annual exercise in mental masturbation, otherwise known as a job fair. And all the participating stations would send a couple people to shake hands and take resumes...while layoffs were taking place back at the participating stations.
I believe last year's was the last one. I googled for a link to the fair or even the radio organization website and it looks like it's all defunct.
'bout time. The copy they used to promote the fair in years past sounded like it was written in 1972..."Ever dream of being part of the creative team that makes those commercials"...IIRC was one of the copy points! I think our cluster was the last one in town to employ a full-time copywriter...and her position was eliminated in 1998! So who were they trying to kid?
It was embarrassing running those spots, knowing how opportunities that once existed have long-ago dried up.
Hence the point of this thread.
JPB's point..."What do you want to do and how much patience do you have?" is excellent.
If the answer is on-air, I think college is a must as that's most likely the only starting point anymore. Hopefully an internship at a reputable station/cluster will be a part of that college education. At our cluster, that internship usually involves working with the Promotions and Events departments. Sometimes an internship comes up helping out on an AM show or something similar. Our cluster has hired a good share of interns to at least part-time gigs.
And making beaucoup $$ can't be the goal...although there's some $$ to be had for the right situation. Of course there are fewer such situations these days. (insert collective "duh!" here
)
Resourcefulness - and the ability to adapt - is key. Can you adapt to doing spoken-word radio? How 'bout podcasts? Can you generate engaging web content?
Radio's not a 9-5, 5-day a week job as anyone on this board can attest. Sometimes I think kids graduate from college and expect their dream job on a silver platter. Unrealistic expectations...meet reality. In a warped way such attitudes probably help thin the pool of grads interested in radio as a career.
I usually come back to one point when this discussion takes place...are you willing to live with a mistress?
Are you willing to be part of something so intrusive that it can realistically be described no other way? If you marry, will your spouse be able to deal with the sudden change in plans because of a coming snowstorm...or your replacement didn't come in...or Whitney Houston died?
Personally...if I had it to do all over again...I would. Because, as Nick said..."passionate radio people are there because they can't stop themselves". And by God's grace, I still get to do it!
I believe last year's was the last one. I googled for a link to the fair or even the radio organization website and it looks like it's all defunct.
'bout time. The copy they used to promote the fair in years past sounded like it was written in 1972..."Ever dream of being part of the creative team that makes those commercials"...IIRC was one of the copy points! I think our cluster was the last one in town to employ a full-time copywriter...and her position was eliminated in 1998! So who were they trying to kid?
It was embarrassing running those spots, knowing how opportunities that once existed have long-ago dried up.
Hence the point of this thread.
JPB's point..."What do you want to do and how much patience do you have?" is excellent.
If the answer is on-air, I think college is a must as that's most likely the only starting point anymore. Hopefully an internship at a reputable station/cluster will be a part of that college education. At our cluster, that internship usually involves working with the Promotions and Events departments. Sometimes an internship comes up helping out on an AM show or something similar. Our cluster has hired a good share of interns to at least part-time gigs.
And making beaucoup $$ can't be the goal...although there's some $$ to be had for the right situation. Of course there are fewer such situations these days. (insert collective "duh!" here
) Resourcefulness - and the ability to adapt - is key. Can you adapt to doing spoken-word radio? How 'bout podcasts? Can you generate engaging web content?
Radio's not a 9-5, 5-day a week job as anyone on this board can attest. Sometimes I think kids graduate from college and expect their dream job on a silver platter. Unrealistic expectations...meet reality. In a warped way such attitudes probably help thin the pool of grads interested in radio as a career.
I usually come back to one point when this discussion takes place...are you willing to live with a mistress?
Are you willing to be part of something so intrusive that it can realistically be described no other way? If you marry, will your spouse be able to deal with the sudden change in plans because of a coming snowstorm...or your replacement didn't come in...or Whitney Houston died?
Personally...if I had it to do all over again...I would. Because, as Nick said..."passionate radio people are there because they can't stop themselves". And by God's grace, I still get to do it!
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