Radio DJ

Knowing what you should get out of radio school is an important part of the school-scouting process. It may seem obvious at first--you want to get a degree! You want to gain some knowledge! But in fact, there are many other factors to consider as well. Nobody has to tell you that the job market is tough out there. Although the relatively new world of satellite radio has expanded the market in many ways, it's still a hard industry to break into, and these days it's more competitive than ever. Radio school is one effective way to give yourself an edge over the competition. But you need to be smart about it and make sure you're getting all you can out of the experience. Below are some of the things to consider when checking out different programs:



1. The curriculum. Your education in radio should be both hands-on and comprehensive. Hands-on means spending time in a real radio studio, working with actual professionals in the field. You should have the opportunity to perform the duties of the position you want to have someday, whether that means producing a show, or performing as a talk-show host, or anything else. Comprehensive means you should graduate knowing about the radio industry from A-Z, everything from the history of the medium to the technical aspects to marketing to on-air content.

2. The teachers. What you should get out of radio school will depend a huge amount on who is doing the teaching. You want to make sure that the instructors are working professionals, not academic who have been out of the radio business for years.

3. The cost. This one is very important. No matter how prestigious a radio school may claim to be, if it costs an arm and a leg and you can't pay for it yourself, it's probably not for you. That fancy degree may help land you a few more interviews, but the paper itself isn't going to be able to pay off the huge amount of debt you're likely to incur through your student loans. Find a low-cost school with the right curriculum and great teachers (yes, they do exist) to make sure the money you start earning stays in your wallet.

4. Your job prospects. Obviously you're going to radio school so you can get a job once you graduate. Make sure the schools you're looking at do everything they can to help graduates achieve their professional goals. This could include internships, mentorships, strong alumni connections, and/or a job placement department. These are the basics of what you should get out  of radio school.