Radio is a Springboard NOT a Recliner.
I could literally write this paragraph and make it the entire story. I cannot tell you HOW many times, EVEN STILL TODAY that I have seen industry people stuck in their career roles. They lose one job after working there for 5 years then get the same job for 5 more years somewhere else and the cycle repeats itself for 20 years. If you are comfortable, YOU ARE NOT GROWING AND YOU ARE GETTING OLDER. At some point, opportunities start to fade, you want to make sure you are prepared for them when they knock at your door.
If you are working for a corporation that won’t let you grow and is stagnating you, start the journey and look for something else. But use your job to do other related things that will make you more valuable at your next gig.
If they ask you to work your ass off doing 10 jobs … that’s a blessing. Learn how to do as much as you can and get paid for it instead of looking at it like abuse. Look at it like college and a stipend instead. Those skills will come in handy down the road. The more you know translates to the more you can work. It’s how I started this site and magazine.
When I worked at Urban Network Magazine in the early 90s, they made me the Rap Editor, I HATED that job and it wasn’t me but I learned how to do sales and I developed relationships with many people who are still in the industry today. We grew up in the industry together. Of course, the white people moved up the ladder much faster and to more powerful positions but we were all still kids in the industry (lol). There was a LOT of infighting and power fights at Urban and I knew my time was limited there but while the “adults” were fighting each other for power I was learning how to do a damn magazine … the REAL power of owning my own. Thanks, Urban Network. Preciate chew.
Finally, befriend one or two of the salespeople at the station and take them to lunch, this kind of relationship is invaluable down the road. Click “NEXT” to see the next suggestion and pass this on to every other Radio DJ you know. Share, share, share.
