Role Overview:
A Radio Station Intern provides support across various departments at the station, gaining hands-on experience and learning about the different aspects of radio broadcasting. Interns are typically involved in both on-air and off-air activities, working closely with professionals to assist with daily operations, content production, and station promotion. This role is designed for those looking to break into the radio industry and offers exposure to a wide range of tasks depending on the department.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Assisting with Show Production:
- Pre-production: Help research topics, prepare scripts, gather sound bites, and ensure all materials are ready for shows.
- Live production: Assist with operating equipment during live broadcasts (e.g., running soundboards, cueing up music, handling phone calls).
- Post-production: Help edit and organize audio files, create podcast versions of shows, or update online content.
2. Social Media and Promotion:
- Content Creation: Assist in creating and scheduling posts on the station’s social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok).
- Listener Engagement: Monitor social media for listener interactions (comments, mentions) and help respond to messages or comments.
- Event Promotion: Help promote station events, contests, or giveaways across digital platforms, preparing promotional materials like banners or graphics.
3. Office and Administrative Support:
- General Assistance: Help with day-to-day administrative tasks such as answering phones, sorting emails, and preparing reports.
- Scheduling and Coordination: Assist in scheduling guests for interviews, confirming appointments, and coordinating logistics for in-studio or remote events.
- File Management: Organize and maintain digital files, including audio clips, scripts, and show rundowns.
4. Event and Community Engagement:
- Event Assistance: Help coordinate station events, including live broadcasts, community outreach, or promotional events.
- On-site Support: Assist with the setup and breakdown of equipment during remote broadcasts or live events.
- Listener Interaction: Participate in listener giveaways, live events, or contests by helping manage entries or promoting activities.
5. Learning and Development:
- Observing Professionals: Shadow radio hosts, producers, and engineers to gain insight into the creative and technical aspects of radio production.
- Feedback: Regularly meet with supervisors to receive feedback, ask questions, and discuss progress on tasks.
- Training: Participate in training sessions (if available) on operating studio equipment, software tools, or station protocols.
Skills Required:
1. Communication Skills:
- Verbal: Clear and professional communication is essential, whether interacting with listeners, guests, or other staff members.
- Written: Strong writing skills for crafting social media posts, creating show notes, and assisting with script development.
2. Attention to Detail:
- Accuracy is key when editing audio, managing show schedules, or preparing promotional materials. An intern needs to spot errors and inconsistencies in content and processes.
3. Technical Aptitude:
- While an intern is not expected to be a technical expert, a basic understanding of radio equipment (microphones, mixers, soundboards) and software tools (e.g., audio editing software like Audacity, Pro Tools, or Adobe Audition) is helpful.
- Adaptability: Willingness to learn how to operate new software or equipment quickly is crucial for an intern role.
4. Multitasking and Organization:
- Interns often juggle several tasks at once, from helping produce shows to posting on social media or assisting with event coordination. Strong organizational skills help manage competing priorities.
- Time Management: Meeting deadlines for tasks such as editing audio, creating content, or preparing reports requires strong time-management skills.
5. Creativity:
- Interns in creative roles may need to contribute ideas for shows, social media posts, or promotional content. A creative mindset helps generate fresh, engaging content for the station.
- Problem Solving: Radio production is a dynamic environment. Interns should be quick thinkers who can adapt and find solutions if something goes wrong during a live broadcast.
6. Teamwork:
- Radio stations are collaborative environments, and interns should be able to work well with diverse teams, from on-air talent to producers, engineers, and sales staff.
7. Willingness to Learn:
- Since internships are designed for learning, a positive attitude, curiosity, and a willingness to absorb feedback and improve are essential.
Example Tasks an Intern Might Be Involved With:
- Audio editing: Cutting together clips for promos or editing interviews for radio shows.
- Guest coordination: Assisting in organizing and confirming guest appearances or phone interviews.
- Social media campaigns: Helping brainstorm ideas for social media posts, creating graphics, or tracking the performance of digital campaigns.
- Event support: Assisting in the organization and execution of station-sponsored events or promotions, including setting up live broadcasts.
- Research: Researching music, trends, or news topics for shows, interviews, and segments.
Unique Opportunity:
An internship at a radio station offers a unique opportunity for aspiring broadcasters, producers, or media professionals to gain practical experience in a fast-paced, creative environment. While the tasks and responsibilities will vary depending on the size of the station and the department the intern is working with, the core purpose of an internship is to learn, support, and gain hands-on exposure to the inner workings of radio.
Interns should be adaptable, willing to learn, and ready to take on various tasks, contributing to the smooth operation of the station while gaining valuable skills in the media and broadcasting industry.
To Apply:
Please send your resume, a brief cover letter, and a demo reel of your on-air work (if available) to inceptionfmradio@gmail.com. Be sure to highlight any relevant experience and your passion for radio.
InceptionFM Radio is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
