How would I go about getting this job?

I don’t think it requires any sort of education. Maybe I’m wrong.

I’m on my iPhone, so I can’t post links, sorry.

Do a web search for the Occupational Outlook Handbook… it lists virtually every career, the requirements, and projected growth/decline.

Around here, they’ve advertised The Connecticut School of Broadcasting for years… I think it’s grown and they use an acronym now; but a web search should direct you to their site, as well.

If you are currently in school, find out if the school has a radio station and go ask what you need to do to observe, learn and maybe get air-time.

Good Luck!!

Thank you!

Being a Radio DJ isn’t really a career in the sense that there is an industry out there looking for staff. Most of the top jocks have very little education, but most are also autodidacts, have a very good general knowledge. Over the past few years the newcomers seem to start on small country or community radio stations and start climbing the ladder from there. Community radio is easy to get into, but country is going to require several years of relocation.

@hearkat Thanks for that site, that was really helpful

The one guy who was a dj that I know well enough to know his story got the job because as a student he got a job as a gopher at a local station, he has a wonderful voice for radio, and managed to make the most of an opportunity that he lucked into. The station suddenly needed someone to take a late night slot, he volunteered and did a good job. Then the manager offered him a daytime slot, and a career was born (at least until he finished all his high school, college and graduate school studies – then he became a scientist who uses satellites to study geology).

I would suspect that a similar path would work today, but you might also check local universities and colleges for any sort of Electronic Media Studies Program. These are designed for folks who want a career in radio or television. This might be needed for the new universal mega-stations that are buying up all the little local stations and thereby broadcasting a common swath of genre music and news throughout North America.

If you don’t want to take the career training at the college level (they have their own radio station here), then I suggest hanging around the radio stations in your area and find an entry job. From there you can move on up.

It’s a career that will require you to be very flexible about where you live.

@YARNLADY I dont think moving will be a problem…I am a natural nomad and being in the military as well as a family-less single 20-year old I find the prospect of relocating exciting. :) Thank you for the advice I appreciate it.

Nothing speaks louder than demo tapes.

I reccomend that you sign on to (free) Blogtalkradio and host your own show. It is fun, easy and done from home.

If you keep it up you will get a following as well as an excellent addition to your resume.

@Dog GA

My son got a DJ slot on his college radio station. He had to go for training a couple of times with an experienced DJ and do some practicing, and then bam, he had an on-air DJ name and his own Sunday-afternoon 3-hour slot. He did it for about six months and really enjoyed it. If he’d been headed for that line of work, he could have done a lot more there.

Well, number one is to go talk to any of your local radio station companies. I’m sure you’ll find one friendly person willing to share with you what they did to get in the business.

Beyond that, you pretty much have to prove your worth to them. This can be done through different ways. One, educate yourself about audio in general (not necessary, but shows you have dedication to this task). Two, try and get a late night slot on your college or university radio station, some high schools also do student-broadcasted announcements so if that’s an option, do that too. If that doesn’t pan out, then get into the DJ business yourself using your computer, any microphone, and free recording software such as Audacity. You can also attempt to offer your services as an intern, so that you will be allowed into the station and can learn about it from the inside out.

I gave it a shot at my college radio station way back when. My first slot was a news reader, then I finally got my own 1 hour lunchtime slot. Judging from some of the phone calls, I had a pretty good following, and could have taken it to another station had I chosen to pursue that line of work.

@hearkat, great answer for that awesome resource—the Occupational Outlook Handbook! I looked at the info on my intended profession, and it was actually really really helpful! Thank you!!