Internships in radio can be obtained in a variety of ways, and they are frequently an important part of training for those interested in pursuing a career in radio. Competition is fierce in the radio industry, and full-time jobs are scarce. Internship completion can mean the difference between getting a radio job and not getting one. Internships in radio can sometimes lead to part-time or full-time paid positions. Paid and unpaid internships, volunteer work, and internships for college credit are all examples of different types of radio internships.
Internships in the radio industry are a great way for people to get their feet wet. People who are passionate about radio may be willing to do an unpaid internship at a radio station. Unpaid radio internships can provide valuable experience and insider knowledge in the future.
Internships are sometimes offered by schools to their students. For example, students enrolled in a communications degree program at a college or university may be able to complete an internship at a radio station that will earn them college credit and count toward their degree. Students would work for the radio station during an internship like this, which is usually unpaid, and complete whatever tasks are required. Students must follow the rules of their school and the radio station in order to receive credit. They must also receive positive feedback from their supervisor, who will be able to evaluate their performance at the end of the internship.
Another option for completing a radio station internship is to volunteer. Volunteering at radio stations is governed by a variety of rules. Volunteers may be given a choice of which area to assist with, such as news, music, weather, sales, or sports, as with other radio internships, or they may be required to assist wherever there is a need.
Radio stations are less likely to offer paid internships. Paid radio internships can take the form of a part-time or full-time job that is temporary or seasonal. Although it may not be formally referred to as an internship, it may serve the same purpose. For example, a radio station might need temporary salespeople to take calls or make cold calls to businesses during a fundraising drive. Even though this is a temporary position, it will provide people with radio experience that will help them improve their résumé.
In any of the various types of radio internships, there are some characteristics that will be similar. Interns will be expected to do whatever the radio station asks of them or will allow them to do, whether that is assisting radio show hosts, making sales calls, or simply assisting people while they work. Anyone who completes a radio internship can add that experience to their résumés, making them more marketable for jobs in the communications industry.