When I entered college as a broadcasting major at Montclair State University in NJ I wandered into my school’s college radio station as a freshman with one goal in mind: To have my own radio show and do whatever it takes in order to get it. Fast forward 4 and a half years and I am 6 months into my first full time job as an Associate Producer in my dream career field of broadcasting and I can 't help but reflect back on how much my college radio experience has helped me in my first taste of the real world. My experience in college radio benefited me more than any coursework, jobs, or internships. No matter what field or major somebody chooses the best piece of advice I could give anyone currently in college or entering college is to join their school’s radio station and get involved hands on with every aspect of the radio station that interest you from the web team
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Plain and simple this is an easy way to pad your resume with relevant experience outside of the usual college part time jobs of being a server or working at the mall. 6.) Friendships and Relationship Building. As a commuter student I struggled to meet people my first year and the radio station was where I made most of my closest relationships in college. This is where I made friendships that will last a lifetime and met people from all walks of life. Another aspect of the relationships you build with alumni and school administrators are building a large network for yourself when you graduate and begin your job search. As they drilled into our heads since day one of college: Networking is key. These are the major examples of how I feel college radio prepared me for the real world more than anything else. It had a bigger impact on starting my career than I had ever realized it would. If you 're in college now or graduating in the near future the best advice I could give you is walk into your school 's radio station and ask what you need to do to have your own radio
Plain and simple this is an easy way to pad your resume with relevant experience outside of the usual college part time jobs of being a server or working at the mall. 6.) Friendships and Relationship Building. As a commuter student I struggled to meet people my first year and the radio station was where I made most of my closest relationships in college. This is where I made friendships that will last a lifetime and met people from all walks of life. Another aspect of the relationships you build with alumni and school administrators are building a large network for yourself when you graduate and begin your job search. As they drilled into our heads since day one of college: Networking is key. These are the major examples of how I feel college radio prepared me for the real world more than anything else. It had a bigger impact on starting my career than I had ever realized it would. If you 're in college now or graduating in the near future the best advice I could give you is walk into your school 's radio station and ask what you need to do to have your own radio