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Date Posted: 13:52:49 10/31/02 Thu
Author: Doug
Subject: advice
Ok, I'm sure you guys get this all the time on here, but I was told to come here for some advice, so here goes: I am thinking about getting into the business. I'm not some naive 19 year old, I'm 32 and have a decent idea about how radio operates these days. That I'm still willing to take a chance should say something about how much I love it. I don't have any formal training, but am looking into going to school. I DO have practical experience, I have a show on a local college station (I live right outside Atlantic City, NJ). I am completely comfortable in front of the mic, I know how to work the board, and my breaks and segues are smooth. I have ZERO experience with production. That being said, I'll throw out some questions:
-I am looking into attending the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in Cherry Hill, NJ. Any opinions about the quality of education you get vs. the price?
-I have been told by a few local jocks that going to college isn't always necessary if you have a good demo tape and some experience. Is this true, do a lot of people break into radio without a formal education? I'm not trying to cop out of going to school, I just can't afford it right now, but I can have a demo done in a relatively short amount of time.
-What can a starting jock expect to make, money-wise. Give me comparisons, small market vs. large, indy vs. corporate stations. I need hard figures or at least close ballpark, I have a family to think about.
-finally, any stories you want to share about your experience in the field, whether you've found it rewarding, you hate it, whatever. Don't sugar coat, PLEASE BE HONEST and give me reasons why you feel how you do. I wasted ten years in another career because instructors and professionals blew smoke up my ass. I don't have another decade to waste.
I have been a club DJ for a few years and recently started the on-air gig, and it's addicting like a drug. I just have to be sure that it would be a good, responsible move on my part, because I would really love to be in this business. Thank you for any advice I get, it will really help me make my decision easier.
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ADVICE! -- outside-in, 13:32:26 11/02/02 Sat
Doug,
Save your money. What is the cost these days? Close to 10 K? If the CT School in NJ is anything like the ones I've seen in other parts of the country you may as well just ride down the tpk and throw your money out the
window! I've know of instances where board ops at some
stations have graduated to instuctors at that school. Not
exactly what I would deem as qualified. Plus the radio
industry is going through some tough times. Opportunities
are few and far between, pay is poor even substandard.
It doesn't matter how good your think your are or may be. There are plenty of qualified professionals on the beach.
My advice in a nutshell.....keep doing it for the fun but have a real career as backup!
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I think my advice was more rational and certainly less pessimistic, don't you think, Surf? -- the Formal Observer, 21:46:24 11/02/02 Sat
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I don't know, I suppose if you posted it .... -- Surf, 09:12:41 11/03/02 Sun
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Postings -- Captn Hank, 10:18:46 11/03/02 Sun
Surf..... Did some of the posting disappear to byte heaven? I added a comment about Glenn Beck last week that was never posted.
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for more helpful and constructive advice click here -- the Formal Observer, 12:04:01 11/03/02 Sun
My first try must have gotten lost in the shuffle. I wanted to tell doug to save the money he would spend on school and buy his own radio production hardware and practice/produce on his own. Get a good computer and load ProTools on it. Buy some studio grade condenser mics and a good 14-16 channel mixing board. Start his own audio production studio for commercials, jingles, live recordings of bands etc. He could even start streaming a show from his own home. Study for his first class FCC Radio Telephone license. Who knows what that could lead to? He should also find a old radio biz mentor to introduce him to key people. Above all, remember this, no one in the radio biz really knows more than anyone else. It's not a biz that attracts brainiacs, just people with larger than life circus-like personalities and a deep desire to command and hold the attention of others.
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What're you in the business of selling radio hardware? That's expensive advice, considering he can just play with the toys at the college station. I mean, I don't want to use the word "stupid" or anything, but I think Dougie should save his money. He strikes me as the type that gets diarrhea at Circuit City he gets so excited. -- Madison, 17:11:08 11/03/02 Sun
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Dude, don't be a naive 32-yr old. (more) -- Madison, 12:42:50 11/03/02 Sun
Don't give up your dreams, or your day job. (I think I just wrote a bumper sticker there.)
While "between jobs" recently, I started finding writing work. Some of it I actually got paid for. Some of it was contributed to the next governor of this fair state. Some of it was two children's stories that I've been messing with for the past 5 years. I just found an illustrator for them.
And I'll continue to do that. I picked up a nice chunk of change for writing a brochure about captive insurance. But I also just took a job that I'm not crazy about but I can live with. Which should also make me an obscene amount of money if I just show up, but I digress.
The point is, get all the radio work you can, if that's what you love. Even Smerconish hasn't given up his day job. So be smart.
And as for the school, I'd just as soon put my money into Ted Baxter's Famous Broadcaster's School. I'm beginning to think even the traditional 4-year thing is a waste of time and money. Put your time and money into making your own show interesting and trying different things.
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Doug: always be suspicious of people that call you "dude" and tell you that they are "between jobs." You have to ask yourself, if they are so full of wisdom and advice, how is it that they weren't able to hold on to their previous job? -- the Formal Observer, 22:17:28 11/03/02 Sun
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Dear F.O. If you'd read the post before shooting off your big fat mouth, you'd see that I referred to being between jobs in the past tense. -- Madison (P.S. We're out of corn flakes. F.O.), 09:45:20 11/04/02 Mon
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He is like that Madison. He is here to disrupt and not to enlighten. Small minds go with small doings. -- Freddy, 17:27:18 11/04/02 Mon
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I don't see how encouraging Doug to pursue his dream with some savvy business acumen is in any way being disruptive. What I choose to "disrupt" is bad judgement and illogical thinking. Hence my reaction to Madison's post. -- the Formal Observer, 22:04:14 11/04/02 Mon
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Ultimately, it matters not what your present job status is. What matters is that some people aren't qualified to dispense career advice, especially when they publicly indicate a clear misunderstanding of the opportunities that await an eager self-starter such as Doug. Naysayers as yourself appear simply resentful (or jealous?) of anyone with an optimism and enthusiasm that was lost to you long ago. Doug, if you're reading this, don't listen to failure stories. -- the Formal Observer, 21:59:16 11/04/02 Mon
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I fail to see how encouraging someone to pursue his dream, while being cautious about spending unnecessary money, is illogical. Doug is obviously a manic-depressive on an upswing who will spend the rent on his current obsession and you're selling him karaoke equipment I mean, I don't want to use the word "cretinous," but really, this was well under the mean of logic, even in this forum. -- Madison, 11:22:22 11/05/02 Tue
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I think Doug would be able to read the exchanges in this thread and decide for himself what course of action to take. BTW, a fast PC with lots of memory and a SCSI drive (or two) with ProTools software, a good mackie board, some broadcast quality AKG or EV mics is NOT karaoke equipment. Sorry, but I know my audio gear, babe. -- the Formal Observer, 23:09:08 11/05/02 Tue
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At this point, I'm thinking that Doug is probably just sorry that he asked. -- Rockford, 12:49:33 11/06/02 Wed
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This Thread is Closed -- ., 17:31:02 11/07/02 Thu
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