Career Guide for Radio Jockey Studies

A radio jockey (RJ) is a person who hosts radio shows cherry-picking the music to be played and topics to be discussed in chats while socializing with audiences through interaction via phone call, SMS, email, and other such means. Every radio jockey has his/her own distinctive style of communication. To make a quick impression on listeners and stay connected with them, the RJ needs to have a good voice and good communication skills, besides knowing how to be gracious, witty, and entertaining. Radio jockeying, though an unconventional career, is fast catching up with other traditional jobs. Owing to the proliferation of FM channels, radio jockeying has become a popular career option among youngsters.

Courses and Eligibility:

Radio jockeying is a field where natural talents to hold an audience count much more than any form of training. Though no formal educational qualification is required, a degree or at least a high school certificate can be helpful. The most essential prerequisite for a radio jockey is a good voice with the ability to modulate as per the context. Apart from that, an RJ should have a clear diction, accurate pronunciation, fluency in the language, and a flair for witty impromptu responses. A radio jockey is expected to have tremendous presence of mind while on air, so that giving quick responses with the right touch of friendly humor comes spontaneously. A thorough knowledge of music will be a big advantage if used in conjunction with an awareness of what the listeners want. Staying abreast of the happenings in and around the city is crucial for an RJ. In order to project individuality, skills in mimicry, local dialects, and comedy will come in handy for an RJ to carry on hosting shows successfully.

Career Prospects:

Radio jockeys can find work in organizations such as AIR (All India Radio), Radio Mirchi, Radio City, Radio One, FM Rainbow, Radio Dhamaal, Radio Indigo, Red FM, and other independent radio stations. Candidates are generally selected through auditions. An RJ with a standard voice can do voice-overs for television and radio advertisements. They can also lend their voices to audio magazines and documentaries. RJs can also anchor or compeer TV shows or live shows or events. Job opportunities for radio jockeys have increased in recent years owing to the emergence of private companies.

Remuneration:

In the initial stages an RJ can earn between Rs. 17,000 to Rs. 25,000 per month. For sponsored programs, some companies pay between Rs. 14,000 to Rs. 25,000 per show. A popular and experienced RJ can earn anywhere between Rs. 15,000 up to Rs. 85,000 per month. RJs can earn a good hourly income by doing shows for the Indian Diasporas on foreign radio stations. Radio broadcasting on the internet can provide excellent pay packages for adept professionals.