Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.
Job Description:A radio host announces the news, sports, music, etc., on a radio station, usually for a specific show or time slot.
Education: A bachelor’s degree in communications, radio or television is usually required, but experience in front of a microphone is a plus.
Skills: The ability to fill air time with appropriate information and chatter.
Job outlook: U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “employment of radio and television announcers is projected to grow by 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Employment of public address system and other announcers is projected to grow by 5 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Experienced, formally trained announcers should have the best job prospects..” Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.
Possible employers:With the explosion of the Internet, many radio hosts are finding work with podcasts and Internet radio stations. For a little outlay, you can start your own radio show online.
Preparation: Check out the National Association of Broadcastersor the National Religious Broadcasters for resources and continuing education courses related to radio.
Get your foot in the door: Call local radio stations and see if you could intern for a week or two to get an inside look at the operations.
Testimony: Betsy in Chicago preps for her weekly, live radio show at home. “My biggest challenge is to stop working,” says Betsy. “We live in a twenty-four/seven society that enables me to send e-mails at two in the morning. Sometimes I have to be really disciplined to either say no to my kids or no to my computer. My computer invades the house and I have to be really conscious of that.”
Until next time,
Sarah
