Radio has always been a career of passion. Let’s be honest, radio has always been a tough career. The pay and the hours have always sucked. But this is what you want to do.
Perhaps you are a seasoned broadcaster or former radio guy or gal who has a younger person in your family who wants to join the ranks of radio people. You are wondering if there are any jobs. Is there a career path for a 20-year-old who wants to join radio? The answer simply is yes. The career path has changed, and I will share my thoughts on where we are in 2025.
If you are 19, here is how most radio careers were built before 2010: You started as a night jock on a music station. This job was frequently in an unrated market making minimum wage. You were told that you had to pay your dues. You were also told that you had to spend one year working at that first radio job. The vast majority of radio veterans started their careers on this path.
Your second job was at a bigger and better place. You made more money, but not that much more. 12 months at that station as well. If you were lucky, the third job was at a solid station in a good market. In that third job, you could spend a couple of years there and perhaps be promoted to Music Director, Production Director, or Assistant Program Director. This is how it worked.
It was not unusual for a radio person to live in five towns in four years. The skills learned were essential for your career. You learned how retail radio works, how to shake hands with listeners, and how to get calls on your show. It was important.
For the most part, those days are gone. There was something else that happened. In one of those towns, many radio people met their spouses. Sometimes these radio people met someone who didn’t want to be radio gypsies. Choices were made and some stayed at that small market station. This was how it was generally done.
Once computer automation arrived, changes in how a radio station could be staffed happened. Some of those early jobs disappeared. The traditional path started to change. Without sounding like the old guy, making mistakes and growing is part of the journey. If your first job is at a bigger station, you cannot experiment and make errors. It is not allowed.
The first jobs that evaporated were overnight jobs. My first full-time job was as an overnight board operator. Personally, my career path is closer to today’s model. I started as an intern, then a weekend board operator, and eventually a full-time board operator. After that, I became a producer for a talk show. I put in my time. I was at that station for 2 years before becoming full-time. It was another year for me to move up. I was stubborn. I was going to make it at that station no matter what.
Here is the path in 2025: Pick your format early. I always wanted to work on news/talk radio. I have been a huge fan since I was 15 years old. I also loathed the idea of playing music that I personally hated. Be a specialist.
Now, in your city or town, there are two to four radio groups. Some of these stations have very few employees in the programming department. That is ok. You can become indispensable. Even if there is not an open job, try to get a meeting with the Program Director or Operations Manager. Let them know that radio is your calling. Don’t stalk or harass them. Meet them. Ask if there is a future opening, can you be considered? Managers in radio stations want to hire people who are dedicated to their format. Watch for an open position. Apply. Follow up with a short email. Get in the door. You won’t get many hours or get rich. But you are there.
Figure out how to be essential. If the Program Director calls requesting you to work a shift, make it happen. I would always rearrange my schedule. There was no way that I would not work the requested shift or event. Your new boss will notice that you are always available. That builds trust and dependence on you. Eventually, there will be another opportunity in that building. You will be thought of first. Remember, your Program Director is very busy. They will not have time to work with you, especially at the beginning. Once you have proven that you are invested in the station, you will have juice in that building. You will be on the way to success.
Radio has never been an easy career. In many ways, radio is my mistress. It is my love. I have spent a couple of decades learning from co-workers, Program Directors, Market Managers, and Consultants. I read everything. If you want this career, take it. Make it work for you. Be enthusiastic and smile. You can do this.
Radio needs a next generation. It needs innovators. Why not you? Learn from the old heads. They have seen some stuff and understand the art. Ask questions but listen. Don’t be a pest. It’s a viable career, and the rewards outweigh the pitfalls.
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Peter Thiele is a weekly news/talk radio columnist for Barrett Media, and an experienced news/talk radio programmer. He currently serves as News/Talk Format Captain for Zimmer Communications. Prior to joining Zimmer, Peter held programming positions in New York City, San Francisco, Des Moines, Little Rock, Greenville, Hunstville, and Joplin. Peter has also worked as a host, account executive and producer in Minneapolis, and San Antonio. He can be found on Twitter at @PeterThiele.
