RADIO BROADCASTING SCHOOL

Why Learning in a Radio Station is Effective

We live in an exciting time. All media are in a period of growth, and radio is quite possibly changing even faster and in more complex ways than the other fields. Between satellite radio, podcasting, cable music stations, and more, no one knows where the industry will end up.

That's what makes the opportunities -- and the challenges -- so great.

Leading the Way

Any traditional broadcating school must try to keep up with the revolution of radio broadcasting, in order to educate its students properly. However, they can't possibly be ahead of the curve, or even stay abreast of it. Traditional schools necessarily lag behind the trends because of the way they operate: hiring teachers, building facilities, developing curriculums, etc. In addition, much of their energy is tied up with the administration of running the institution.

Not so with apprenticeships. Because they take place in the work force, they put students not just at the leading edge, but at the "bleeding edge" of the business. Any existing radio station, in order to survive, must not just keep up with the trends, but anticipate them.

Apprentices get the benefit of being in the middle of things as they change, and thus will always be better prepared than students at a traditional school or university.

It's All About People

Another, and possibly more important advantage of apprenticeships is the networking. Along with the industry, people are changing as well. But relationships can last a lifetime. Getting to know the people who are at the forefront of that change is vital to entering and building a career in radio broadcasting.

Time Is On Your Side

Finally, there is the advantage of time. While students at traditional schools are "studying" to be radio broadcasters, apprentices are actually doing it. By the time traditional school students have graduated, apprentices have a lead of any where from a few months to several years of working, living, and breathing broadcasting. They have already cemented the relationships that the university graduates have not even started to form.