How to become an Radio Jockey

It is among the most happening and in-demand career options in the country. It has witnessed a major demand in the past one decade with many youngsters aspiring to be a Radio Jockey (RJ).

However, those already into professional jockeying, sound a note of caution while exposing the myth that “if you can talk you can become an RJ”.

For instance, Vidya, who hosts Red Adda, affirms that “mere talking cannot help you become a successful RJ. One should know a lot about editing sound files and should have great inter-personal skills to become RJ”.

RJ Vidya, who is a Mass Communication graduate, points out that education can go a long way in shaping one’s career, even that of a RJ.

“My education has played a major role in understanding my career and interacting with people around me. The Mass Communication background has come as a major boost to the career growth,” she adds.

Her sentiments are echoed by RJ Hemanth, who feels that education plays a pivotal role in upgrading oneself.

“Imagination, expression and language are the three important aspects an RJ has to posses. A balanced approach will come in handy,” points out Hemanth.

While talking about RJ as a career, RJ Chaitu, aka ‘Chatterbox” Chaitu, says that it’s all about how you engage the listeners.
“I have been working as an RJ for quite some time now. Radio has become one of the major entertainment channels so if you can entertain the listener with innovative and great ideas you can rock in your career”, says Chaitu.

What does an RJ do?
The job of RJ includes music programming, scripting, presenting radio shows, radio advertisements and lending voice to audio magazines and documentaries.

RJ career requires enthusiasm, rationality, creativity of mind, good sense of humour, excellent communication skills and ownership of a live appealing voice. It is an exciting, promising and challenging career for those who have a passion for music.

How to become an RJ?
There is no specific academic path to become an RJ but graduation is mandatory. However, you can opt for a diploma or a PG in Mass Communication. That apart, several courses are available which can help you hone your skills and get a feel of the profession and its technicalities. Qualifications may be useful but skills and passion count for more in this profession.

Courses offered:

• Certificate Course in Announcing, Broadcasting, Comparing and Dubbing (ABCD)
• Certificate Course in Radio Jockeying ( CRJ )
• Certificate Course in Radio Production Programme
• Diploma in Radio Jockeying ( DRJ )
• Diploma in Radio Management
• Diploma in Radio Programming and Management ( DRPM )
• Diploma in Radio Station Operations and Management
• Post Graduate Diploma in Radio Programming and Management (PGDRM )

Colleges offering these courses:

• Northpoint Centre of Learning, Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Xavier Institute of Communication, Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Harkisan Mehta Institute Of Media, Research and Analysis (HMMRA)Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Department of Communication and Journalism, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
• ARM Academy of Radio Management, New Delhi, Delhi NC
• Center for Research in Art of Film and Television (CRAFT), New Delhi, Delhi NCR
• YWCA Institute of Mass Media Studies, New Delhi, Delhi NCR
• The Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA)
• Alis Academy of Radio and Television, Bhopal
• RJ Institute of Radio Jockeying, Chandigarh

Remuneration:
Radio Jockeys are in demand, thanks to opening of air waves to private broadcasters. A fresher can earn between Rs 8,000 and Rs 15,000 per month.

Apart from that, sponsored programs, software companies can pay between Rs 1,400 and Rs 2,500 per show. On gaining on-the-job experience, the earnings can be doubled and depending on the popularity of their shows, RJs can earn up to Rs 25,000 every month.

By:Vaishnavi Girish

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