A few Job roles you can get out of radio
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Broadcast assistant
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Radio presenter
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Reporter
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Radio producer
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Radio traffic manager
Broadcast
Assistant
Work both in speech based and music radio, they offer
practical support to producers and presenters, they undertake a wide range of
key administrative tasks to ensure the smooth running of live and recorded
radio programmes, and also might help with research planning and production.
This job title is used a lot within the BBC for entry level roles in radio
production. In the BBC most of radio broadcast assistants are members of a
small team, although some are part of much larger programme units. They are mainly
based in offices and recording studios, but may also work on location assisting
with the production of outside broadcasts. This job role varies considerably
from station to station, or programme to programme, in terms of the breadth of
duties, and the balance between administrative and technical or production
tasks. They are also expected to access information for research purposes, and
ensure that it is accurate keep up to date contact lists, produce transcripts
running orders and programme logs and deal promptly with correspondence and
queries. The industry a radio broadcast assistant would come under would be print and publishing and marketing and advertising. The average salary only on a guide would be varied depending on whether you are in radio or television or freelance. Salaries for broadcast assistants with the BBC are usually at grade 3/4. From August 2012 (based on the type of contract) Grade 3 is £20,553 to £29,161 a year (in London) and £16,308 to £25,482 a year (outside London). Grade 4 is £22,819 to £32,739 a year (in London) and £18,574 to £29,060 (outside London). Starting salaries in local radio stations tend to be around £13,000 to £16,000 a year. The skills required include communication skills, good eyesight, good hearing, creative skills, IT skills, Keyboard, Organisational, Team work, Clear speaking voice, Confidence, Administration, Assertive, Flexible, Initiative, Meeting deadlines, Multi - Tasking, Remain calm under pressure. The qualifications needed are First Degree and HND. Good subjects would be media studies or broadcasting. Any experience could be broadcasting.
Radio
presenter
Radio presenters are the voice of a station or programme, whether
the work in speech based or music radio. They are responsible for creating the
tone and style of Radio output and establishing a relationship with listeners.
They may also be required to carry out a range of other production tasks, as
well as deliver content for related websites or other mobile platforms. Presenters in music Radio work for a range of stations and programmes, catering for all music tastes. They work in all genres from topical talk shows to documentaries, light entertainment and comedy. Working hours can vary enormously and may involve early mornings, late nights and over nights, as well as working weekends or holidays. In some roles presenters are expected to travel to work on location, both win=thin the UK and abroad. Presenters need to be aware of their target audience and to be knowledgeable about the subject matter of the output they present. Radio presenters may present live or recorded shows, scripted and unscripted. They can be required to generate original ideas; carry out research; write scripts and links; work from a brief supplied by other members of a production team; conduct interviews with contributors in a studio or over the phone; handle debates or phone in's; and host live events. They are expected to fully know and understand all the media law's, regulation and industry codes. They should be able to operate various radio studios, and to record audio both in studios and on location. They may be also required to edit audio material - using suitable computer editing software. Some Radio Presenters may be required to write material for websites, blogs or other platforms, and to prepare visual images and video footage, as well as audio material, for on-line use. There is no clear career path in radio presenting and there are no set rules to advancing to the next stage. Radio presenters traditionally acquired their skills with hands on experience gained from working in hospital radio, student or community radio. Some presenters have entered the industry after studying an undergraduate degree or a post-graduate Diploma or MA in Radio or Media Production at college or university. Others have worker their way up to presenting from entry level positions within the radio station. From there moved to more mainstream time slots and then progressed to national shows. Some radio presenters can be recruited due to their specialist knowledge or because of their celebrity status. Some presenters moved to radio from TV and some radio presenters have crossed over to working in TV.
Skills and knowledge needed for this job would be, possessing excellent oral communication and presentation skills, having the capacity to work to a rigid schedule and manage their time effectively whilst working under pressure, being up to date with current affairs and possessing research skills which can ensure accuracy of the information they are presenting on the air, having the ability to create dynamic and original shows consistently, self-motivation and adaptability.The salary varies widely, ranging from £14,000 for a presenter starting out on a local radio station to more than £150,000 for the best known celebrity presenters. Many work freelance.
Reporter
Radio reporters identify and research news stories then present them on air to a wide range of different audiences. Some of the work is office or newsroom-based, but they are expected to spend much of their time out and about gathering information, witnessing and recording events, and interviewing those involved. They may report live from events as they unfold, or record and edit material to create pre-recorded items for inclusion in news bulletins, or produce longer features or documentaries. Radio reporters may be required to work a variety of shift patterns - including night shifts, weekends and holidays. They must be prepared to travel, sometimes long distances, at any hour of the day or night, to research and report on events. Reporters may cover a wide range of stories, or focus on a specialist area such as politics, finance, sport or foreign affairs. They may be assigned to specific stories, but they are also responsible for generating ideas, researching background data, and assessing the value and accuracy of ideas and information from other sources. They must also pitch ideas and present new items for consideration by Editors, commissions, or other decision makers. The typical career routes for a reporter are to go to a larger station with a wider audience or from a local to a regional or national service. The starting salary for this job is around 13,000 and increases when you become a professional. The qualifications and training you need for this job are you might need a degree but it is not always essential, the majority of Radio producers are graduates, However radio employers do not necessarily expect the degree to be in the media-related subject, and may even prefer their recruits to have degrees in other disciplines - particularly those related to the radio genre in which they wish to work. Places on direct trainee schemes run by some of the larger broadcaster are highly sought after, as places are limited and such schemes do not recruit on a regular basis. A degree or equivalent may be a requirement for some of these schemes, but others may specifically target non-graduates. It may also be possible to secure some entry level roles in Radio without a degree, and to advance to producer level by gaining experience and contacts on the job.
Radio producer
Radio producers are responsible for the audio content of broadcasts via radio, the internet and other mobile platforms. They are involved in the entire process, from generating idea's to managing the audience response after a programme. Producers manage and work with broadcasting assistants, presenters and DJ's, engineers and IT staff. They may also be responsible for the business and commercial management of a programme. Producers can work in the publicly funded, commercial or voluntary sectors of broadcasting. Wherever they work, they are part of a digital revolution which is having a profound impact on the way in which radio is produced and accessed. Conditions vary widely depending on whether you are on a staff contract with the BBC, which offers well-defined and protected conditions, or part of a small community radio team. Salaries are extremely variable, but a graduate with some relevant experience might hope to earn up to 16,000. Non-graduate entry positions could command around 12,500. Salaries at senior level for those with experience range from 30,000 - 25,000. Freelance salaries vary from 150 to 300 a day, depending on experience. Working hours may be long and unpredictable, typically including unsocial hours such as shift patterns, weekends and holidays. Although this area of work is open to all graduates and diplomats, a degree in radio or media production may increase your chances. Degrees in broadcast journalism or media studies may also be useful. Although a postgraduate qualification is not essential, a postgraduate diploma or Masters in radio production may be useful, particularly if your degree is in an unrelated subject. Two thirds of all radio workers have a degree or postgraduate qualification. Progression within this career is usually self-driven. Many producers work on a freelance basis and move from one employer to another. It is possible to gain freelance work on a long-term basis. Making contacts within the industry is essential, particularity the start of your career. Think of creative ways to make links with potential employers and to gain relevant experience. Career development is achieved by moving to a different programme or network. For example a local radio producer with several years experience may apply for a post on national radio career, career progression is gained through working for a more prestigious network, programme or presenter. As they gain more experience, producers also tend to focus on a specialist area of interest such as news, drama or documentaries. Radio producers may be employed by the BBC, commercial and community radio, or local or national stations, or by independent production companies...
Typical employers include:
Skills and knowledge needed for this job would be, possessing excellent oral communication and presentation skills, having the capacity to work to a rigid schedule and manage their time effectively whilst working under pressure, being up to date with current affairs and possessing research skills which can ensure accuracy of the information they are presenting on the air, having the ability to create dynamic and original shows consistently, self-motivation and adaptability.The salary varies widely, ranging from £14,000 for a presenter starting out on a local radio station to more than £150,000 for the best known celebrity presenters. Many work freelance.
Reporter
Radio reporters identify and research news stories then present them on air to a wide range of different audiences. Some of the work is office or newsroom-based, but they are expected to spend much of their time out and about gathering information, witnessing and recording events, and interviewing those involved. They may report live from events as they unfold, or record and edit material to create pre-recorded items for inclusion in news bulletins, or produce longer features or documentaries. Radio reporters may be required to work a variety of shift patterns - including night shifts, weekends and holidays. They must be prepared to travel, sometimes long distances, at any hour of the day or night, to research and report on events. Reporters may cover a wide range of stories, or focus on a specialist area such as politics, finance, sport or foreign affairs. They may be assigned to specific stories, but they are also responsible for generating ideas, researching background data, and assessing the value and accuracy of ideas and information from other sources. They must also pitch ideas and present new items for consideration by Editors, commissions, or other decision makers. The typical career routes for a reporter are to go to a larger station with a wider audience or from a local to a regional or national service. The starting salary for this job is around 13,000 and increases when you become a professional. The qualifications and training you need for this job are you might need a degree but it is not always essential, the majority of Radio producers are graduates, However radio employers do not necessarily expect the degree to be in the media-related subject, and may even prefer their recruits to have degrees in other disciplines - particularly those related to the radio genre in which they wish to work. Places on direct trainee schemes run by some of the larger broadcaster are highly sought after, as places are limited and such schemes do not recruit on a regular basis. A degree or equivalent may be a requirement for some of these schemes, but others may specifically target non-graduates. It may also be possible to secure some entry level roles in Radio without a degree, and to advance to producer level by gaining experience and contacts on the job.
Radio producer
Radio producers are responsible for the audio content of broadcasts via radio, the internet and other mobile platforms. They are involved in the entire process, from generating idea's to managing the audience response after a programme. Producers manage and work with broadcasting assistants, presenters and DJ's, engineers and IT staff. They may also be responsible for the business and commercial management of a programme. Producers can work in the publicly funded, commercial or voluntary sectors of broadcasting. Wherever they work, they are part of a digital revolution which is having a profound impact on the way in which radio is produced and accessed. Conditions vary widely depending on whether you are on a staff contract with the BBC, which offers well-defined and protected conditions, or part of a small community radio team. Salaries are extremely variable, but a graduate with some relevant experience might hope to earn up to 16,000. Non-graduate entry positions could command around 12,500. Salaries at senior level for those with experience range from 30,000 - 25,000. Freelance salaries vary from 150 to 300 a day, depending on experience. Working hours may be long and unpredictable, typically including unsocial hours such as shift patterns, weekends and holidays. Although this area of work is open to all graduates and diplomats, a degree in radio or media production may increase your chances. Degrees in broadcast journalism or media studies may also be useful. Although a postgraduate qualification is not essential, a postgraduate diploma or Masters in radio production may be useful, particularly if your degree is in an unrelated subject. Two thirds of all radio workers have a degree or postgraduate qualification. Progression within this career is usually self-driven. Many producers work on a freelance basis and move from one employer to another. It is possible to gain freelance work on a long-term basis. Making contacts within the industry is essential, particularity the start of your career. Think of creative ways to make links with potential employers and to gain relevant experience. Career development is achieved by moving to a different programme or network. For example a local radio producer with several years experience may apply for a post on national radio career, career progression is gained through working for a more prestigious network, programme or presenter. As they gain more experience, producers also tend to focus on a specialist area of interest such as news, drama or documentaries. Radio producers may be employed by the BBC, commercial and community radio, or local or national stations, or by independent production companies...
Typical employers include:
- BBC Radio
- Independent radio groups
- Community radio stations
- Independent production companies
- Large media groups example: Bauer media, Global radio, Real and smooth
- Large commercial radio groups - radio centre
Radio traffic manager
Radio traffic managers run traffic teams, who's purpose is to accurately schedule commercial airtime and station promotions, and to produce data analyzing the effectiveness of campaigns for the sales team and clients. They co-ordinate the work of traffic executives and traffic assistants. Radio traffic managers are expected to work closely with colleagues in sales marketing, sponsorship,promotions, events, publicity and programming. They must ensure that their team offers an efficient service, handling bookings, communicating availability to the sales team, and ensuring that all commercial activity is delivered to the satisfaction of clients and agencies. Although there is no set entry route for traffic managers in radio, employers look for significant experience of dealing with traffic in radio or related media environment, such as tv broadcasters or advertising agencies. The skills and knowledge you will need for this are excellent organisational and administrative skills, attention to detail, ability to ananlyse and interpret data, and make the information accessible for non-specialist colleagues.
