Getting some form of education, finding representation, and applying for jobs are all options for becoming a radio talk show host. The path isn’t always clear, and some people who have never broadcasted on the radio have become well-known hosts. Others receive formal education or have expertise in a field that would be interesting to listeners. The field is competitive, and despite extensive training and experience, many people who apply for jobs in this field are unsuccessful.
A few high schools provide radio hosting training or the opportunity to participate in campus radio stations. People who want to work in radio often have to wait until after high school to enroll in college or certificate programs. A bachelor’s degree in journalism, broadcast journalism, or communications is the most formal training path. Because hosting a show often necessitates basic, correct knowledge of general topics, you should take your general education studies seriously at this level. If you spread a lot of false information, you’ll lose credibility.
Students who want to work as a radio talk show host in college should volunteer at the campus radio station. When studying, it’s important to learn more than just theory, and hosting your own show allows you to learn by doing and gain experience as a host. Students can also use audio recordings of their early broadcasts to evaluate and improve their performance.
Attending a school that specializes in broadcast journalism is another option. Because hosting is a form of acting and one of the performing arts, some of these schools are linked to drama or acting schools. This link does not exist at other schools.
When choosing a broadcast school, consider how long the program will take to complete. When you successfully complete the program, some schools will award you a certificate, while others will award you a bachelor’s or other degree. It’s usually best to enroll in a school with a good reputation and an accredited program. Any school that promises a career in this field should be avoided, as this is a competitive industry, and not everyone who aspires to be a radio talk show host succeeds.
Another option is to have deep knowledge in a field that radio stations believe will appeal to listeners. Many radio stations hire therapists or psychiatrists, doctors, tool experts, financial experts, and other professionals, as well as people who have primarily worked in stand-up comedy. Some people combine subject knowledge with broadcasting training, which could be a winning formula.
If you’ve had any on-air training, you’ll be able to collect tapes of your performance to send to local radio stations. Having an agent to help with this can be beneficial, but not everyone gets an agent before landing their first job. As your hosting career progresses, an agent can continue to promote you to bigger stations. However, only a small percentage of people who become radio talk show hosts achieve national prominence.