Okay: If there is any way to do any sort of development work on the side once I have a first real job, I would love to do that. I already do a little bit of very informal consulting with friends who are in different organizations to help them raise money, since the scope of money their organizations could utilize is far, far lower than ours. I've worked with other students, by myself, with the college's professional development department, and others...people have said this is something I should look into after college but it won't pay off the loans as well as an engineering gig. I would love to stay involved with non-commercial radio, be it college, community ran, or NPR. Or I could just be like an older friend of mine who is starting his own community radio station. That could be fun.
I think dev with a station could dovetail nicely with an engineering gig. Especially since the paying engineering jobs will have you working late nights on weekends. All depends on how much you value free time, I guess. Kleinbl00 would know more about that particular track, though. I wouldn't dismiss development out of hand as a second job so quickly, though- the guys I work with are pretty strapped for cash right now- haven't hired a full time production person in years and years- but they've picked up six full time development people this year, and a handful of other part time folks. That's the area that pays. Not to mention the benefits for our full time people are off the heez. Or so I hear. I'm nowhere near that full time jounx. But I'm telling you man, you're set if you want that kind of job. Why instantly relegate it to "non-real job" status?
I value my free time a lot, but for something like this I would gladly give up a lot of it. Radio means that much to me. As a second job would be a definite possibility, but again it goes back to I have no idea how to approach that as a second job or how to get a foot in that door. I think a lot of that will depend on wherever I end up after graduating. But yes, development is much more interesting to me than DJ'ing. Six people? Where do you work where you've hired that many and how can I get in on it? "Non-real job" status is because the past five years have been spent beating the notion into me that to pursue something other than engineering after college is a bad idea. It was more facetious than anything else. It's a totally real job, but it seems like more of a fantasy than anything else at this point. And I wish it wasn't.
I mean, if you end up moving to the west coast after college... I'll already be gone. But I'd be happy to put a good word in for you at the place I work. Any time in the next two or so years would be good because they're trying to raise a rippin' bongload of money for a move to a new home. My boss has urged me several times now to apply to the development positions, which open up maybe every four to six months. It would get me onto a more regular schedule there (rather than the totally piecemeal schedule I now work dependent on production needs, budget allowances and harmony with my other job, which pays too much to put in the backseat at this point) and more security. It's almost worth it to me. But I'd be terrible at development, and I love production too much. But hey! All the more room for a fresh-faced radio entrepreneur to bust in and grab life by the short and curlies. To the best of my knowledge, all development new hires started as interns in a program that lasts 6 months. Talent is mined heavily from that arrangement. Helps to have recommendations, which I'd be happy to give, if the situation ever arose.
FUFFLE! How did I never know that you work at KEXP!? Between you, Moose, and kb, Hubski has encompassed three of my 5 favorite radio stations across the country (Radio UTD and WFMU being the other two). I'm a little intimidated, those are stations that my roommate and I look up to. I've got some production experience as well, but am the opposite of you. I'm not very talented at that side of things. Do you DJ or guest host anything on top of all that? I will have to strongly consider you're offer, that would be a dream. And I have an interview for a job in Sumner sometime next week...
Nope, I don't touch the hosting side of things- there's a whole intern program just for DJ assistants, and it's the most competitive intern position. People wait years to be able to guest DJ, although patience does usually pay off- just a matter of force of will. Anyhow, I have no interest in being that exposed- nice and safe behind the scenes, and I still get to watch/mess around with awesome in-studios and the like. Wait, Sumner, WA? You gonna be anywhere near Seattle for that? If so, could grab a drink or something.
DJ...assistants? What kind of a magical world is that? Everybody wants to hear their voice on the radio, that's for sure. Yep, Sumner, WA! It's part of a rotational program. Supposed to have a phone interview next week and if that goes well there will be on-site interviews at the end of the month. Could be there, could be elsewhere, but that was my first geographic choice.