Simon Morykin. Presenter. Key 103 & Hallam FM

PASSION

Having passion for radio will drive you. Many long term radio professionals will tell you radio is in your blood. If you have passion and love for this medium, you’ll go far. This isn’t something you can learn, it’s something you’ll feel.

HARD WORK

Work hard to get where you want to be. When I started radio in the late 90s, work experience was stacking CDs and tech-oping shows. Tech-oping still exists but you may not find yourself stacking CDs! Work to prove yourself, help out, volunteer at first to get your foot in the door. Prove you are more dedicated and passionate about this career than the next person, that’s what will make you stand out. I gave up school holidays to work in a radio station, it wasn’t a chore – it was an absolute thrill for me!

LEARN

Learn as much as you can from those who you admire and those who do the job you dream of having. Ask questions, do your own research too. I remember installing CoolEdit Pro (now Adobe Audition) at home in the late 90s, playing around with it and learning how it worked. When I got a week of work experience at an FM station, the MD could not believe this kid knew how this professional audio editor worked! Learn and get yourself ahead of the rest. Contact presenters on social media, ask them for help and advice.

VISIT STATIONS

Content Controllers of radio stations get hundreds of emails from students asking if they can visit the station. Being a full time broadcasting station, there’s often not the time or resource to take on all these visitors. How are you going to stand out from the rest of the people emailing? Make a call. Speak to the CC and make an impression. Even call in to the radio station and ask for a quick chat and a coffee. It’s not stalker-ish, it’s keen!

CREATE A GOOD IMPRESSION

One of the best things you can learn. Be kind to everyone in radio. It’s a very well connected industry, most people are friends or are connected in some way. If you burn a bridge, this could cost you in the future. Network like crazy and create a good impression. You’ll be remembered and people will say good things about you. Reputations matter in radio and this begins from day one.