2 answers
Pavel
Student
New York, New York
1
Question
Updated
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FInding a job in radio broadcast
Hello everyone!
I would like to apply for another jon in the same field *radio broadcast*, but do not know where to start. How do you find jobs at radio stations?
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2 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Pavel !
You haven't mentioned what position you want in broadcasting. It is a very competitive field and you will need a college degree and experience before you would qualify for a position in a radio station (or television). Since you do not know how to go about it, let's start from the beginning.
You're in a great city for broadcasting as there are 129 radio stations in New York City plus lots more in the surrounding Westchester County, New Jersey and Connecticut. So, you're already living in a prime market for this field of work.
The way you will learn how to create your career would be to enroll in college and major in Communications Studies or Broadcasting for your Bachelors Degree. The combination of academics, working on projects while in college and opportunities to network and meet contacts in NYC will teach you exactly what to do for the specific role you want in broadcasting. It's the best way to do this. You will eventually need a reel of your broadcasts if it for on air work or for a non-on air talent role, you should have a a resume filled with experience and the tech, programs, apps and devices that you are proficient in. Like I said, it's quite competitive so you will have to dedicate a lot of time getting experience, meeting people in the business and learning everything to be broadcast ready or operate the studio.
Many colleges have radio stations at which students can get experience so explore various colleges that provide this. Once you get minimal experience, one thing can lead to another if you put the time and effort into it. There's no clear-cut assured way to start this career - just get the education, gain the skills and obtain experience. Similar to acting, networking is crucial also.
Once you are prepared and ready to work, the way you find jobs is to check the individual companies job boards (which most likely are online) daily. Broadcast companies are required by the FCC to advertise jobs on their own websites. When they receive resumes through their own websites, those resumes get priority. There are also employment websites specifically that carry broadcasting jobs, too. Some of these are the websites of tv jobs, broadcast jobs. Do a search online to reach their websites. For non on air jobs, Nexstar, Scripps, Sinclair, Hearst, Tegna, Allen Media Group, Morgan Murphy, and Gray often post openings, particularly on LinkedIn, and following these major broadcast groups can help identify new opportunities. You can register at and make a profile on Linked In now.
So even though no one can tell you how your career will go, what you specifically need to do and how to obtain the work, it's just a path you'd have to take, putting in many hours and investing all you've got if you really want to do this work. In your favor is that you're already in a good location for this type of work, so consider the steps you must take and enjoy each step of the way without predetermining the career. Consider that sometimes you may have to take work in television, too in order to have consistent work to support yourself.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
You haven't mentioned what position you want in broadcasting. It is a very competitive field and you will need a college degree and experience before you would qualify for a position in a radio station (or television). Since you do not know how to go about it, let's start from the beginning.
You're in a great city for broadcasting as there are 129 radio stations in New York City plus lots more in the surrounding Westchester County, New Jersey and Connecticut. So, you're already living in a prime market for this field of work.
The way you will learn how to create your career would be to enroll in college and major in Communications Studies or Broadcasting for your Bachelors Degree. The combination of academics, working on projects while in college and opportunities to network and meet contacts in NYC will teach you exactly what to do for the specific role you want in broadcasting. It's the best way to do this. You will eventually need a reel of your broadcasts if it for on air work or for a non-on air talent role, you should have a a resume filled with experience and the tech, programs, apps and devices that you are proficient in. Like I said, it's quite competitive so you will have to dedicate a lot of time getting experience, meeting people in the business and learning everything to be broadcast ready or operate the studio.
Many colleges have radio stations at which students can get experience so explore various colleges that provide this. Once you get minimal experience, one thing can lead to another if you put the time and effort into it. There's no clear-cut assured way to start this career - just get the education, gain the skills and obtain experience. Similar to acting, networking is crucial also.
Once you are prepared and ready to work, the way you find jobs is to check the individual companies job boards (which most likely are online) daily. Broadcast companies are required by the FCC to advertise jobs on their own websites. When they receive resumes through their own websites, those resumes get priority. There are also employment websites specifically that carry broadcasting jobs, too. Some of these are the websites of tv jobs, broadcast jobs. Do a search online to reach their websites. For non on air jobs, Nexstar, Scripps, Sinclair, Hearst, Tegna, Allen Media Group, Morgan Murphy, and Gray often post openings, particularly on LinkedIn, and following these major broadcast groups can help identify new opportunities. You can register at and make a profile on Linked In now.
So even though no one can tell you how your career will go, what you specifically need to do and how to obtain the work, it's just a path you'd have to take, putting in many hours and investing all you've got if you really want to do this work. In your favor is that you're already in a good location for this type of work, so consider the steps you must take and enjoy each step of the way without predetermining the career. Consider that sometimes you may have to take work in television, too in order to have consistent work to support yourself.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Thank you... with college it is a bit too later :)
I have 20 years of experience at the terrestrial station already, but just want to change the vector a bit :)
Pavel
Michelle, thank you for such a thorough response
So far, I’ve been working for an ethnic terrestrial radio for 20 years (next year) as a sound board operator, rarely co-host, sound producer.
I do have my own home studio where I do a freelance work in voice over and production.
So, I would like to look for new opportunities where I can utilize my skills and expertise.
:)
Pavel
Marty Meyer
General Manager
62
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Marty’s Answer
You've not said what part of radio interests you - tech? announcer? program director? The traditional course of action is to find a school with broadcast curriculum and get a spot on the college radio station.
There are more modern options, not the least of which is to start a podcast. The wise course of action may be to understand the tech, the talent and the distribution. There are few barriers to entry; you can get broadcast experience, statistics on who listens, and enter the content creator community. The world's audience is shifting. There are fewer and fewer jobs in radio and broadcast television; I started my career in this space and have watched the number of jobs decline over the years.
Viewers, and listeners, have moved away from over the air broadcast and moved to streaming and podcasts. You can look of the job boards and get an idea of what's available. Wishing you lots of luck -
There are more modern options, not the least of which is to start a podcast. The wise course of action may be to understand the tech, the talent and the distribution. There are few barriers to entry; you can get broadcast experience, statistics on who listens, and enter the content creator community. The world's audience is shifting. There are fewer and fewer jobs in radio and broadcast television; I started my career in this space and have watched the number of jobs decline over the years.
Viewers, and listeners, have moved away from over the air broadcast and moved to streaming and podcasts. You can look of the job boards and get an idea of what's available. Wishing you lots of luck -