RADIO ASSESSMENT

The following assessment is provided to help you become better acquainted with discovering which media field is right for you.  Use this assessment as step one in planning now for a clear investment into your future.  Keep in mind this assessment is only a tool to help you find your best fit in the media workplace.  It is not a career placement test, but based on your responses, you should have an idea of which media field you are likely to enjoy the most. At the end of this test, you should know more about your top media strengths and weaknesses.  Do your best to judge yourself honestly.  The closer your answers are to your true skills and career desires, the more accurate your results will be.  Remember, with the right talents and education you can look forward to a truly exciting and stimulating career.

Are you interested in a career in radio?  Radio has a unique way of distributing information to the masses, not to mention entertainment, news and even weather.  Radio production requires a creative mind, as well as a solid knowledge of the technology that is used.  You must be able to pay close attention to detail and remain consistent by following a project to its end.  You must obtain programming skills and presentation and technical skills.  You must have a thorough respect and understanding of marketing and branding in radio in addition to the legal and regulatory compliance of radio. 

Generally, expect to obtain a degree in broadcasting, communications or video and radio production.  Through your classes learn all you can about the principles of radio production, techniques, and communications theory and marketing and communications law.  Gain hands-on experience through academic or on the job internships and apprenticeships. 

1. Think for a moment about the radio stations you listen to and why?
2. Which of the following aspects of a career in radio interests you the most:

1. Assisting a program director with daily duties (the program director is responsible for the sound on the radio station 24/7, the content of the stations broadcast day, including which announcers work there, and what they say to make sure that the station sounds as good as it can obviously, as it all comes down to survey ratings)?
2. Audio production (involves the creation and editing of any sound to be used for the station’s live broadcast)?
3. Marketing/commercial production (the process of creating, shooting and editing on-air commercials and advertisements based on market demographics)?
4. Working as part of the “Street Team” (a focus group to prepare the public for promotional events, album releases, parties/concerts, etc.)?

1. Do you think you’d like to work for a specialized music radio station (i.e.-Urban Radio-R&B/Hip Hop, Oldies, Gospel, Pop/Rock, etc.)?
2. What are your feelings on becoming an on-air radio personality (someone who introduces and discusses various genres of music, hosts a talk program that may or may not take calls from listeners or someone whose primary responsibility is to give news, weather, sports or traffic information)?
3. Are you:
1. a big-picture thinker or more detail oriented?
2. a good team worker or do you prefer to work alone?
3. open-minded or opinionated?

TELEVISION ASSESSMENT

Television bookmarks our lives, preserves moments in time that trigger memories of where we were and what we were doing when historic events occurred.  Through television we are emotionally affected, connected with world events and even prepared for natural disasters. We are entertained, informed, influenced and motivated by the action represented on TV.

      To establish a career in broadcast media through television, you are definitely required to have the talent for it with a degree or diploma program in digital film and television production. Whatever colleges or programs you choose should provide plenty of opportunities for hands-on production work.  This will allow you to develop both your technical and artistic expertise as you produce content such as commercials, news, short digital films and prepare your work for distribution through different digital media.  An education in this area will also prepare you for jobs such as a production assistant, a digital camera operator and an assistant digital video producer.  TV and film producers are usually involved in all phases of program or film making, from script, cast and location selection to the release of the final cut.  A key aspect of the producer’s job is financial control of the project in order to offer cost savings over conventional methods of digital film and television production.  Another key aspect is mastery of digital technology which may well be economically and artistically desirable for a producer. 

1. Think about this.  Does being an important part in the production of a newscast interest you?
2. Which would you most enjoy:

1.  Working as a news anchor or reporter (a television personality, who presents material prepared for a news program, improvises commentary for live presentation, writes and edits the news for their programs and provides commentary for the audience at special events)?
2. Producing a newscast or a story package?
3. Working at the assignment desk of a news station in preparation for breaking news?

• Would you like to learn how to write and produce a PSA (Public Service Announcement) to be aired on television someday?
• Would you be comfortable planning or working at events sponsored by a television station?
• Do you prefer to work on special projects such as commercials, ads, digital film or strictly news?

YOUR SELF-ASSESSMENT EVALUATION

Now that you’ve taken the time to think about the questions and information listed above, let’s evaluate your answers.  By the details in your responses, you should now know whether you’re primarily interested in one of the following areas:

1. Print media (Newspaper & Magazine)
2. Broadcast media (Radio & Television)
3. E-media (Web-based, online and interactive media)


If you’re still unsure or would like more info, please take a moment to find your way to additional resources for your academic and professional career selection process in our Media Resource section.