If you are interested in radio, definitely don't give up your day job.

As some PPs have noted, radio is basically a dead medium. Places like NPR typically are looking for journalists and it is highly competitive. Could you use your current skills to land a job at NPR or a radio station (i.e., working in the advertising or accounting department)? That might be a way to be get into the radio world, make friends with some on-air talent or producers and learn some skills in your off hours.

Do you know anyone at a station? Send a friendly e-mail, offer to take someone out for coffee for 20 minutes and do an informational interview. That way you could learn more about radio and get the word out about your interests. If you respect people's time and show genuine enthusiasm, people are often willing to talk, even if they can't get you a job.

If music stations are what you are looking for, it can also be tough to break in there because a handful of companies have bought up the radio stations, have cut costs, laid people off, etc.

I am not saying this to be a downer. I am about to leave a soul-sucking job to chase my own rainbow, so I get where you are coming from. That said, I have been working toward the transition for a few years and I still have a way to go. I also have a backup plan that would involve getting a pretty unglamorous job if things don't turn out as I hope. It takes king-sized cojones to try something new. I say explore your options. Just make sure you do it with your eyes open.

Best of luck.

Given your interests, definitely check out opportunities to volunteer at smaller community stations and college stations. WAMU and WETA may also take volunteers. WPFW is in a bit of disarray right now -- they just moved locations, are in financial trouble, and the station manager is opposed by many volunteer DJs. I'm not sure if the trouble they are experiencing would make it easier or harder to get involved, though! There is also an unlicensed low wattage station in Mt. Pleasant, called Radio CPR. Google it, I think they meet regularly and you might be able to get a show there quickly if your interests dovetail with the station mission (community empowerment, non-commercial music).

OP here (again). Thank all of you for your positive feedback. I never had plans of trying to be the next shock jock. I lean more towards NPR type of broadcasting, classical, jazz, and mind-stimulating talk radio. I forgot about maybe volunteering at WPFW where I would probably have a chance voluntering.

I got the bug when I was in college and substituted for my sibling's radio show one night due to illness. I've been hooked ever since. But my parents encouraged me to major in something more substantive so my personal aspirations were kicked to the curb for the sake of security

I am pumped (as my kids would say) about the possibility of being in the radio zone. I can live with that. Long live dreams!

OP - I suggest you find a local college radio station that has community volunteers. I had a show at WRUW in Cleveland for years after I was a student. My dear friend who is in his 50s started his show 8 years ago and now he's one of their highest fundraisers during telethon. Good luck with your dream!

When I did radio work, I got into it gradually (DJed at a college station, then a community station, then subbed as a paid host at a NPR affiliate, then got a regular show) and that's how most people I know got into it. Maybe you could volunteer at a non-profit or community station (WPFW, or a college station, or maybe an AM community station if there are any out there) and look for opportunities to sub for other hosts?

If you have any contacts in the business, maybe pick their brain about contacts and how to get your voice in front of the decision makers -- what kind of promo tape should you make, who would you submit it to, etc. You might also want to look for a contact in the field of voice over work -- many TV production companies are located in DC and if you've got the radio voice, you might be good for voice over/narration work too.

I'm not sure if a degree or class work would be useful, unless the professors are well connected locally and can help you network. It seems like networking, not actual learning, would be the primary benefit of going to school for this. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:Check out transom.org

OP here. Thank you for this info. It's an interesting site worth consideration.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is your dream, exactly? Because there are about -56 jobs in radio.

Are you contributing to OP's cause as I didn't notice any suggestions, general or otherwise.

I'm contributing in that if OP wants to take courses and learn how to do it, that's fine and OP should go ahead. But if the goal is to take courses with an end result being a full-time, paying job, I would put the brakes on hard and fast now.

Anonymous wrote:What is your dream, exactly? Because there are about -56 jobs in radio.

Are you contributing to OP's cause as I didn't notice any suggestions, general or otherwise.

What is your dream, exactly? Because there are about -56 jobs in radio.

Check out transom.org

Getting ready to hit a serious milestone birthday and have kicked myself for decades for not pursuing my passion in college, radio broadcasting. I am so tempted to take the non-credit courses at Montgomery College for broadcasting. I know I can't give up my day job (too old, too many bills, too much kids tuition) but it sure would be nice to capture a tiny piece of my dream since no others have been realized.

Yep, still have that radio academy voice that I had in yesteryear. I wonder if I saw Mont. College's broadcasting certificate program through to the end would I be able to realize my dream at my age? Not to worry youngsters....Justin B. is safe from me.

Thoughts?