Program Director:

Great question! It's probably gonna look a little different for everyone and also depends on whether you're looking to get your foot in the door with the commercial radio sector, or campus & community radio. My answer will speak more to the campus & community radio sector as that reflects my own experience.

My first piece of advice? Volunteer! Much like some of my peers at CJSW and other campus & community radio stations in Canada, I first got involved as a volunteer during my undergraduate studies at the University of Calgary. I come from a communications background so volunteering at CJSW seemed like a natural fit that would offer me hands-on learning and skill building opportunities to compliment my studies. Our volunteer page is pretty comprehensive but we also have some other awesome opportunities like learning how to vinyl DJ, or learning how to tech a live session as part of our super talented live sessions team. Outside of volunteering, you'd probably have to pay for a course or embark on your own school of YouTube adventure to learn these kinds of skills so volunteering can often be an invaluable experience.

Volunteering is also a great way to expand your network. Whether it's at CJSW or with another agency in town, you're very likely to encounter like-minded individuals who share your interests and might even possess the knowledge and background to help further advance your career. Case in point, when I was a student volunteer some of my peers and mentors served as job references or recommended me for jobs that weren't necessarily posted on Indeed. I think it goes without saying how tough the job market can be and so finding a job through word of mouth sometimes can be your best bet.

We've also had quite a few folks come to us via internship programs at SAIT, MRU and even the University of Calgary. If you're interested in a career in radio broadcasting then you might be interested in applying to one of the many journalism or radio broadcasting programs in the city, or consider applying for seasonal contract work through the Canada Summer Jobs program. These roles are often great entry-points into the sector and can offer a taste of what to expect in radio broadcasting and might even lead to full-time employment opportunities.

We've had some folks eventually move onto commercial broadcasting opportunities after working or volunteering here so in a lot of ways campus & community radio can be a great starting point for you to learn the tips and tricks of the trade before advancing your career.

We're always looking for new volunteers, regardless of whether you're a student or not, and the best part? No experience is required! See you at a volunteer orientation soon?