Radio Jockey as Career

Radio Jockey is specially someone who plays music on radio of his own and audiences’ choice simultaneously interacting with people, delivering relevant local, national & international news and information in his very own style. As a backstage performer a RJ has to visualize the words comes out of his throat. A RJ career require enthusiasm, rationality , creativity of mind , good sense of humor, excellent communication skills & ownership of a live appealing voice. Radio jockeying, though a non-conventional career, is fast catching up with other traditional jobs. With the advent of FM channels, Radio Jockeying has become a popular career option for many youngsters.

Course Details
Formal educational qualifications do not hold much value in radio jockeying because it is a talent based field. Though graduation is considered to be the benchmark, students who have passed 10+2 are also hired by private channels. Usually people under 35 years are preferred for this profession. The personal qualities that are required to become a successful RJ are good command over language, extremely good communicative powers, proper voice modulation, good sense of sound and music, good sense of humor and good diction. Staying updated is very important for a radio jockey. An RJ needs to keep track of the happenings in and around the city.

Career Prospects
The domain which was previously dominated by the state owned AIR is seeing huge investment by private concerns. This factor has led to an increase in job opportunities for radio jockeys. The job of a Radio Jockey is of diversifying nature depending on the subject matter of the programme. Radio Jockeys can find work in organizations like AIR (All India Radio) and other independent radio stations. AIR (All India Radio) holds auditions for RJs every 3 months in their radio stations in various cities especially in metros. Because of their voice standard, RJ can do voice-overs for television and radio advertisements. They can also lend their voices to audio magazines and documentaries. RJs also can anchor or compeer TV shows or live shows or events.

Top Colleges Offering UG/PG/Other Courses
In the field of Radio Jockeying, only few institutes offer specialized courses and most of them have been started by well known anchors. Some of these institutes are EMDI Encompass Institute of Radio Management, Mumbai; Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai; Academy of Radio Management, Delhi; Take One Academy of Broadcasting, Chandigarh; Xavier's Institute of Communication and Film and Television Institute (FTII), Pune; The British council; National School of Drama, New Delhi; Young Men's Christian Association.

Remuneration
Radio Jockeys are in much demand with the opening of the air waves to the private sector. The beginners in the initial stage can earn between Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 15,000 per month. For sponsored programs, software producing companies may pay between Rs 1400 to Rs 2500 per show. After a few years of experience, the earnings can be raised double and depending on the popularity of their shows, RJ's can earn between Rs 15,000 up to Rs 85,000 per month. As a radio jockey, besides getting contractual good money you earn by doing Ad commercials. You can earn more by doing voice-overs for television and radio advertisements.