How to Become a Radio Disc Jockey

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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You need a pleasant speaking voice and excellent verbal skills for this job. On the air, you may introduce music, conduct interviews, and read commercials and even the weather forecast.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Individual School Requirements And Application
Portable Tape Recorders
Tape Or CD Players
Tapes Or CDs
Postage Stamps
Pens
Stationery
Pens

Step 1

Take speech, drama and English courses in high school and college. Make tapes of your speaking voice and ask your speech and drama teachers for their opinion of your vocal projection.
Step 2

Consider working part-time while you are in high school as a mobile disc jockey at parties. Observe experienced mobile DJs and you'll learn what's good vs. what's unprofessional. Find out from them what equipment you need. If you're really good, you can eventually advance to more formal affairs, such as weddings. The experience will be priceless.
Step 3

Ask your guidance counselor for a list of colleges and universities that specialize in broadcasting.
Step 4

Apply to several schools that offer a broadcasting degree with a radio emphasis. Although it's not always necessary for a DJ to have a degree, it will give you a major advantage within the broadcasting industry.
Step 5

Gain experience at your college radio station by doing any work that will teach you about radio broadcasting, a station's equipment and the problems associated with airtime. Offer to be the DJ or radio announcer at the station during unusual hours. Then make a tape of the show and include the experience on your résumé.
Step 6

Get an internship of any kind at a local radio station while you're in college. It can sometimes lead to a permanent position. Realize that you will most likely be doing office work initially, not talking into a microphone or running the board. But you need this experience.
Step 7

Consult your broadcasting adviser about the availability of entry-level radio jobs through the college.
Step 8

Consider a radio job at a small community station after graduation if the opportunity presents itself. You'll probably begin with an entry-level position to learn the ropes, but your chances of speaking on the air in the near future will be far greater than in a larger market. The large markets want you to have had several years of on-air experience.

Comments

DJBreezy said

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on 12/2/2008 iam 18/f trying to get in to the music staring to DJ party's and i need advise on what classes and things to do to get started if you have any advise for me please send them to famous.beezy69@yahoo.com cuz i really dream of being a DJ in a big time club in Hollywood or something. thank you.

oranges24 said

on 6/15/2008 Hi. =] I am looking at options for future careers. i am really considering working for a radio station. it seems like a really cool job. there are some drawbacks for me though. i get intimidated with situations sometimes. i can really use some tips. and where do i get started with all of this. im 18 years old and will start college soon.

on 6/15/2008 im 18 years old and i am really considering working for a radio station. well i really want to. =] i just dont know where to get started. i get really intimidated with things. any tips????

jwalk4000 said

on 6/21/2007 Key to remember, be hungry and desire to be on the air. Work hard, prep, prep prep, usually for a four hour show you will spend every bit of an 8-10 hr day, reading articles, finding interesting tidbits of info, make it relatable and remember..Hardly anyone gets rich in this business..gotta know the right people, be in the right place at the right time, and have the "right breaks"..good luck.