"I read your book, 'The Cash Cage', about a year ago because I have been, and still am in a sense, considering a career in radio...I'll be honest though. Some of the things you noted about the radio industry (e.g. the constant and unpredictable moving, time away from family, lack of job security) really got to me. These observations really opened my eyes, but they have also made me more tentative towards pursuing a radio career... judging from your standpoint, my question is this: in today's job market, is it worth it to stay in radio?"
Radio is not what it was when I first got in. But, that's AM and FM. If you’re considering a Radio career, what you have to do is think beyond AM and FM and consider the possibilities in Internet Radio, Satellite Radio, Cell Phone Radio, etc.
These emerging fields will offer many opportunities in the future but right now we're kind of "between" technologies – less opportunity in AM and FM and not enough in the others yet.
Radio, in one form or another, will always play an important role in society. You just can't limit yourself to what Radio has traditionally been.
Smart, innovative programmers will always be needed no matter which method of Radio distribution you're interested in and talented personalities have a way of rising to the surface and making a name for themselves no matter where they work.
Once Internet Radio resolves the royalty issue, hopefully there will be many future opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to run their own Internet radio stations.
Satellite Radio will inevitably be successfully and as it grows its subscriber base, more jobs will open up in that field. Radio content on cell phones will also expand greatly in the future and content managers (programmers) will continue to be needed.
Plus, don’t forget the other aspects of Radio which also need bodies: salesmen to sell commercials at AM and FM stations, Production Directors who create imaging and produce support audio, Music Directors, and managers.
Of course, I do think the most fun part of Radio is being on-the-air or maybe I should start saying "in-the-bandwidth" as we acknowledge the growth of Internet Radio. Nothing has ever gotten me more jacked than doing a radio show and even with the negatives that come with this profession, I still consider myself lucky to have spent my whole adult life as a Radio personality.
So, the bottom line is this: if your dream is to be in Radio, it is always worth the personal commitment. But, realize that it is a competitive field and you will have to work for what you want.
