Much has been said about making a career in radio and all we can think of is a Radio Jockey. The general perception is that if you have an ear for radio and a passion for music, all you need is to tune into your favorite radio channel. However, a huge world of radio also lies beyond jockeying for FM channels. If you have a nose for informing people, then radio is the place you ought to be.

Besides jockeying, radio offers many other career options that can do wonders to please one’s creative needs and provide professional satisfaction. These roles include script writer, producer, actors, audio engineers, news readers, announcers and the like. Here is a brief description of the roles of several jobs in radio:

1. Script writer: Every radio programme that is aired needs a proper script. A script is written according to the time allotted to each programme. So, say for a half-an-hour programme, a script writer has to be very strict with using the number of words that would fit exactly to the programme length. Given the fact that no radio programme is devoid of background music and music makes for some time in between the programme, script writing becomes a vigilant job.

2. Producer: One who produces an idea is the producer. The role of a producer demands making of a programme completely – from generating ideas to deciding on the music and to finally getting it aired. Besides this, a producer also looks after radio show formats, co-ordinates with guests, briefs callers and sees if the show is aired on time. So, if you think you can perform these key roles with an effective approach to communication, the seat of producer might just be waiting for you.

3. Audio engineers: An audio engineer has a crucial role to play in a radio station. No radio show can go live without the assistance of radio or audio engineers. They are supposed to maintain the audio input in a show. They should know when to lower the audio level, when to bring it to the foreground and when to keep it subtle. If something goes wrong with the broadcast, then it’s only the promptness of audio engineers that ensures we listen to some filler music; instead of blankness.

4. Music directors: For this role, one must be familiar with all genres of music across the world. This is so because a music director has the onus of selecting music for a radio show. Music is an integral part of radio as in the absence of visuals, it’s only music that maintains the continuity of any radio programme. So, a music director must be wise enough to decide on the background score, theme music, opening and closing music for a radio show. For instance, a programme on the career of Beatles would only appeal to the listener’s ear if it’s accompanied with the music from their album.

5. Actors: It sounds quite unusual but radio stations too have actors. If the passion for acting runs in your veins and you are trying hard to make an appearance on the silver screen, think twice before you spend your whole life craving for it. Radio might give you the chance, for, radio plays, radio documentaries and the like have become common phenomenon in the booming radio industry. Just go ahead and lend your voice!

With community radios and satellite radios, radio is another big avenue and perhaps one of the major revolutions in the communication industry. Identify where you fit in this industry - as a listener, as an entertainer or as an informer? It’s time to tune in now!