Radio Internships Part Two

This is the second entry of a three part series on internships at radio. Read the first installment by following this link.

For a review of "How to Become a Radio Intern", visit here.

Once it is established where you would like to intern, it is up to you to make contact. Call the radio station's business office and ask for the program director (PD). The receptionist will transfer you. If you get a recorded prompt instead of a receptionist, select Programming. If you actually get the PD or an assistant, state your name, your school name, and your desire for an internship. If the transfer goes to voice mail, leave the same information and your phone number and wait a week for a return call. If it does not come, phone again. Keep trying every few days until someone responds. Polite persistence pays off. Stations usually react quickly to internship inquiries.

Interns are welcomed because there is so much work at a radio station and never enough hands to get it done. The first thing to do is to inform the station supervisor of your computer and writing skills. You’ll be an instant success. Try to intern for the Operations Manager or Program Director. Every department works closely with them. This will give you an overview of the entire work environment. It will also speed up the learning curve.

In the beginning, duties will consist of paperwork and typing memos. You’ll also be a foot soldier, delivering information throughout the company. It will seem like busywork, but it’s not. All work is important and serves a purpose. Focus on the assigned duties and earn the trust of others. In return, people will share knowledge. Good social skills lead to temporary assignments such as answering business phones, request lines, assisting promotions, or helping the music director. No matter how small, all tasks contribute. Social skills consist of politeness and manners. “Yes Sir,” “No Sir,” “Yes Ma’am," “No Ma’am,” Mr. Mrs. or Ms. It is little things like not openly sneezing into the air, covering your mouth when coughing, or cleaning up after eating. Everything reflects on character.

To read the entire article click here. For a review of Radio Interns Part One, follow this link, Radio Interns.

If you are a veteran broadcaster or have an ambition to become an announcer, visit the Radio Coach, http://www.radiocoach.biz.