Jobs in radio

[iwbus]

What is the best way to starting a career as a radio DJ? Is being a broadcast assistant a good start and how would you find out details of BA or DJ job vacancies?

[tonymclark]

I don't know much about Radio carreers, but getting work experience in Hospital Radio may be good training.

From there, getting in to local Radio may be the stepping-stone you need.

If you can get a job as Broadcast Assistant would help build contacts.

See if the BBC website is any help. They have a vacancies web page.

[Buenchico]

(Posted in 2 Parts):

Check this link for details of careers as a DJ:
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/j obprofiles/profiles/profile780/

This is the one for work as a radio presenter:
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/j obprofiles/profiles/profile780/

This gives details of working as a production assistant:
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/j obprofiles/profiles/profile980/

As Tony has indicated, hospital radio is often the first step in the career path for many DJ's and presenters. Some people move on from hospital broadcasting to part-time work for the BBC (often for very small payments). For example, most of the evening and late-night broadcasters on BBC local radio are part-time freelancers. (Many of them are schoolteachers during the day).

Sometimes you just need to find a way to prove that you've got broadcasting skills. (A teaching colleague of mine used to present a local radio show on Sunday afternoons. When he couldn't be present for a couple of Sundays he asked if I could fill in. From then on I was always on the 'relief' team for that station. Later, when I'd moved to the other side of the country, I did an interview on a BBC local station about plans for a new museum. The presenter was so impressed with the interview that I was asked to co-host his Sunday show (on an 'expenses only' basis -typical BBC!) Unfortunately, due to other commitments, I couldn't take up the offer but it shows that the first thing to do if you want to work in radio

[Buenchico]

(2nd Part):

The BBC website has advice about careers and list all of their current full-time jobs but it won't mention all of these 'back-door' routes into broadcasting:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/jobs/

Some colleges run courses on radio broadcasting. These are often aimed at radio journalism rather than work as a DJ but they teach basic broadcasting skills and might provide students with contacts within radio stations.

Chris

[Buenchico]

PS: Details of jobs in independent radio tend to appear in different publications depending upon the output of the station. Stations such as 'Magic' and other MoR stations might well place their vacancies in the trade journal 'Broadcast' whereas a station specialising in hip-hop or garage (or whatever the latest club scene is) would be far more likely to choose a magazine which might be read by club DJ's who aspired to a career in broadcasting.

Chris

[Buenchico]

Er, I've just noticed that there's a line missing from the end of my first post. It's not particularly important but, for the sake of completeness:
"... is to find some way of getting yourself inside a studio".

Chris

[Careers_Advice_Service]

Hi there,

Chris - the links you posted have now changed to http://careersadvice....780&jobprofilename=DJ (DJ), http://careersadvice....roadcast%20Journalist (Broadcast journalist or radio presenter) and http://careersadvice....Broadcast%20Assistant (Radio broadcast assistant).

Thanks,

Careers Advice Service