If you want to become a radio broadcaster, you must first be aware of the fact that the broadcasting field is a particularly competitive one. However, if your heart is set on pursuing this career path, you can start preparing yourself for a career in radio broadcasting while you are still in high school. Formal college degrees in TV and Radio broadcasting can further prepare you for the job.
High School Preparation
Some high schools offer broadcasting courses, and may even maintain a school radio station. If you attend a school that has its own radio station, offer to perform announcements on the air for training. Take advantage of any courses that will serve your long-term goals. Communications and public speaking classes will present opportunities for honing your speaking skills. Of course, you will want to take any courses that directly relate to broadcasting.
College Preparation
Generally, a four year degree is required to work as broadcaster at a radio station, however, some radio broadcasters may be hired with only a high school diploma. Not all broadcasters hold four year degrees; they may have worked their way up through the ranks at a particular station. They may have acquired a significant following from a blog or by guest-hosting other shows. If you want to break into the field and do not have any of these benefits, count on getting your bachelor’s degree (please see: Top 10 Best Online Communications Degree Programs) just to get your foot in the door.
Several US colleges and universities offer degree programs in TV and radio broadcasting. When pursuing a degree to prepare you for a broadcasting career, you can expect to study topics such as interviewing skills, announcing skills, radio/TV production technology, laws pertaining to mass communications and mass media advertising.
During the latter part of your university training, you can seek out an internship with a local radio station. Many broadcasters lament that obtaining an internship was the most important factor in establishing their careers. Internships may be paid or unpaid (this is at the discretion of the station). You may or may not receive college credit for the internship, depending on if an agreement exists between the station and your school. Check with your professors and any broadcasting organizations at your school to see if the institution participates in internship arrangements with any of the local radio stations.
Beyond Traditional Training
Chris Kellogg, well known radio personality, recommends that you accept any job you can get with a radio station just to get inside the organization. Chris reports that he did anything that was requested of him on his first job with a radio station. He ran errands and shuttled coffee and eventually was asked to do the announcements on the weather show. These meager beginnings materialized into a flourishing career in radio broadcasting.
Like many things in life, a career in radio broadcasting greatly depends on who you know, not necessarily what you know. By taking an internship or working at a local station, you can get to know some of the key players in the organization. You may even get to know the program director. With the right educational background and access to some key people along the way, a career in radio broadcasting may be in your future. Keep your eye on the ball and make the right career choices, and your dream to become a radio broadcaster may actually become your reality.