Part researcher and part public personality, announcers and disc jockeys—or DJs— use writing skills and a pleasant speaking voice to share news and information with the public. Broadcast announcers and radio DJs present music or the news and comment on important current events. Announcers who host talk shows usually research and discuss issues with guests and audience members in a subject such as politics, personal finance, sports, or health. Announcers and DJs schedule guests for their shows, maintain a social media presence to encourage a following, and develop other creative content such as contests and events. They also give updates on weather and traffic conditions. Some work as sports team announcers, party DJs, and event MCs, providing background information and entertaining the audience or detailing the event as it unfolds for the listening audience. Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys usually work full-time schedules in soundproof studios. Shows are usually recorded during the day for later broadcast or podcasts, but some announcers broadcast live, and may work late night hours, weekends or holidays. Deadlines and tight work schedules are common in these fields. Broadcast announcers and radio DJs typically need a bachelor’s degree in journalism, broadcasting, or communications to enter the field, but some jobs may not emphasize educational requirements. They typically need previous experience gained from internships or from working at a college radio or television station.
What they do:
Speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio, television, or other communications media. May play and queue music, announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.
On the job, you would:
Operate control consoles.
Record commercials for later broadcast.
Announce musical selections, station breaks, commercials, or public service information, and accept requests from listening audience.
Communications
multimedia
telecommunications
Arts and Humanities
English language
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics
Business
customer service
Basic Skills
talking to others
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
create new and original ideas
come up with lots of ideas
Attention
pay attention to something without being distracted
do two or more things at the same time
Memory
remember words, numbers, pictures, or steps
People interested in this work like activities that include creating, designing, and making your own rules.
They do well at jobs that need:
Dependability
Integrity
Attention to Detail
Stress Tolerance
Adaptability/Flexibility
Initiative
You might use software like this on the job:
Music or sound editing software
Adobe Systems Adobe Audition
Audion Laboratories VoxPro
Word processing software
Burli Software Burli Newsroom System
Microsoft Word
Data base user interface and query software
Database software
Program logging software
bachelor's degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
In the military:
see titles from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, or Navy.
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