Posted by Jodi Franks on Tue, Jan 22, 2013 @ 03:34 PM
Jodi FranksMarketing Director/Social Media CoordinatorThe Ohio Illinois Center for BroadcastingCincinnati Campus
Since we've waded into the waters of a brand new year and are looking forward to all our new class starts in January. I wanted to take a look back and revisit articles that may give current and potential students things to keep in mind as they take those first steps toward becoming new broadcasters.
Our industry has changed dramatically. Amazing changes. Scary Changes. Changes that have expanded our industry on a global scale, and leveled the playing field. In some cases, demolished the playing field.
Over the next few weeks, we'll be revisiting content and posts that will hopefully inspire you the same way it has inspired those who read them for the first time and carried that inspiration all the way to graduation and beyond.
I want to give a special thanks to the person who helped me understand that social media, creating compelling content, and the power of blogging isn't just for the young folks. Until I started to work with you, "tweeting" was a sound that birds made.
Dave...you rock.
Once you’ve signed the paperwork to become a student with the Ohio Center for Broadcasting, you have made the decision to become a Broadcasting Professional. Everything you do from that moment forward shapes who and what you will become in this industry. Simply sitting in a studio, or turning on a camera does not make you a good broadcaster. Five years ago, hours of daily show prep would set you apart from the competition, but what does it take now?
As a young broadcaster, you have the challenge of learning how to master multi-media. Even working for a radio station, you need to be able to shoot, edit, and upload video. In addition to website updates, there’s content generation, Facebook, Twitter, and Podcasting, just to name a few.
Our industry has gone through tremendous change during our time in a bad economy. Television and Radio Sales, while still a very lucrative field, has the challenge of trying to come up with innovative ways to grab coveted advertising dollars from businesses who are working with half or less of what their advertising budget may have been 5-10 years ago. What that means for “talent” is more commercials, more music and “less” you. You now have the challenge of finding a way to be topical, informative, and connected with your audience in as little as 30-60 seconds at a time.
What kind of talent you will be will be determined by the extra things you do to connect to your listeners/viewers, and the advertisers who target that audience.
- Do you have a Facebook Fan page?
- How active is your Twitter account?
- How many times a week do you blog?
Those are just 3 things that are at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to social engagement. While there are still those out there who believe that Social Media is an impersonal way to connect, a hassle, or just too much trouble to understand. I maintain they are missing out on an excellent opportunity to connect with people on a much deeper level. In the end, Social Media is as much about raising up others around you than it is about promoting yourself.
Yesterday I came across this great article from Radio Ink Magazine that I hope you can take the time to check out. It may seem ominous in the first couple of paragraphs, but pretty inspirational at the end: Here’s What’s going to Happen to Radio.
Lastly, I wanted to share another article from Radio Ink from last February. I’m interested to see how you feel about both articles. Both are excellent, thought provoking pieces about the evolution of our industry: RADIO EXEC SAYS "SUCKERS INVEST IN PANDORA"
If you're ready to take that first step toward your dream of working in the broadcasting industry, we're here to help.
Schedule your campus tour today or submit an application here.
The Ohio Illinois Center for Broadcasting. Where Broadcasting Careers Begin!
Posted by Jodi Franks on Wed, Dec 12, 2012 @ 12:59 PM
Terry WilsonCareer Services SpecialistThe Ohio Illinois Centers for BroadcastingCincinnati and Columbus Campus “Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” Martin Luther King, Jr. As a student with the Ohio Illinois Centers for Broadcasting, you will also be working with one of our (5) Career Services Specialists. These are seasoned veterans from the Broadcasting Industry who lend their expertise to each student to help best prepare them for landing their first job. Terry Wilson, who works with current students and graduates at our Cincinnati and Columbus locations, took some time to highlight the changes within our placement services department. From your first day of class, through the completion of our program, their goal is a partnership with you to help achieve your dream of working in the broadcasting industry.
The Ohio Center for Broadcasting has a strong commitment to improving our service to our students, and over the past twelve months, our Placement Department has evolved into a more effective Career Services Department to underscore our commitment.
The primary emphasis has always been to find first opportunities in the broadcast industry for our graduates, however with the 900-hour curriculum, members of the system-wide network of OCB placement specialists saw opportunities to better prepare our students for the workplace.
First was an acknowledgement that many individuals at each campus contribute industry contacts, job leads, and counseling. The positive cooperation between School Directors, the Education Department, and individual Instructors with the OCB placement network, has always worked toward the benefit of our graduates. This effort, in fact, has been a major factor in establishing the current 84 percent placement rate at our Cincinnati campus location.
In the spirit of this cooperation, there are (3) significant contributions to a student's experience with The Ohio Illinois Centers for Broadcasting.
- We have greatly emphasized and encouraged the student’s internship experience by introducing this into an earlier portion of the curriculum
- Career Services has taken an earlier and more active role in both preparing the student for internships and teaching how this experience leads to career-building
- A new online content management component was approved and introduced in our curriculum that is designed to enhance a graduate’s overall media production skill set, and provide a means to create and promote their professional branding
As one of five broadcast veterans who make up our Career Services network, my responsibilities include working with students from our Cincinnati and Columbus locations. From the moment they start the program we begin the process of preparing them for job opportunites. We do this in several different ways:
- We begin by framing the scope and purpose of their OCB education experience
- We review their resume and cover letters
- We work with them to give them a targeted understanding for the best approach for their internship experience
- Mock interviews are conducted at three points in the curriculum
- Detailed instructional material is introduced to help prepare them for the interview process.
Throughout the course, I make frequent visits to the classroom to talk about how past graduates have achieved success, how the broadcast industry is evolving, and where opportunities exist. I also offer perspectives on the value of the many components of the curriculum.
Along with supervising and coaching students as needed, I am available to advise and coach every student who requests help in these areas, as well as offering guidance on improving the quality of their audio, video, and web presentations. New and more detailed instructional materials have been developed to address this process as well.
As students start to wrap up their course work, I help them find the best way to gather and present their very best media portfolio materials, which is a graduation requirement. As soon as a student graduates, my job is to encourage them to apply for appropriate opportunities in the field, and track their progress as they move forward in the industry.
My policy is to always be available to advise and support current OCB students as well graduates at any stage of their careers.
In 2013 our new OCB Career Services web page will be introduced which will enable graduates to share their experiences and best work in the industry, present encouragement and perspective from successful industry professionals, provide an expanded job bank for current industry opportunities, and offer another means of 24/7 contact with the OCB Career Services network.
If you're ready to take the first step toward your dream of working in the broadcasting industry, we're ready to help.
The Ohio Illinois Centers for Broadcasting. Where Broadcasting Careers Begin!
Posted by Jodi Franks on Wed, Nov 07, 2012 @ 03:19 PM
Kim LucatortoAssistant Education DirectorChicago CampusThe Ohio Illinois Centers for Broadcasting
As a student in our program, you not only receive career training from professionals who currently work in the broadcasting industry, many members of our staff have also had long, successful careers in our business.
Kim Lucatorto (pictured above with J.G. Spooner from our Cleveland Campus) is someone who brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a genuine desire to nurture the next generation of broadcasting professionals.
I love reading her stories. Enjoy!
When I first started working in TV, I volunteered for every opportunity to get production experience. That often meant schlepping whatever needed to be schlepped around a studio, or on location. Yes, there were times that I had to get coffee and lunch. I had to lift and move cameras. I often pulled cables. Once, I even drove from Indiana to Illinois to buy beer, on a Sunday, after we found out that Indiana didn’t sell alcohol on Sundays.
Early in my career, I worked on the pilot for a show that eventually became “Real People”. That opportunity definitely put me in some interesting situations. We shot a segment in the basement of some womans house who called herself “The Snake Lady”. You need to know that I was pretty afraid of snakes back then, however, I wanted to work in TV more than I was afraid of snakes.
The entire time we were down in this small basement, I could hear the snakes hissing in their various cages. Shivers ran up my spine as I listened to the interview and wondered, are those snakes gonna stay in their cages?
I snapped to attention when suddenly John Barbour, the host, said he wanted to see her biggest snake. Biggest snake? I didn’t see anything that remotely looked like a big snake. To be totally honest I had no interest in seeing it either. It had been a long day of shooting and I was extremely tired. So tired that I almost sat down on the window seat that lined the outside walls of the room. Good thing I didn’t because our "Snake Lady” happily started opening the tops of the window seats and began to pull out a giant snake…No kidding!
This snake was so big that it literally rounded the entire room…it had to have been at least 20 feet long. Guess who had to help hold that giant, heavy, moving snake? You got it. Myself and every one of us in that room had to help handle that thing. I remember it was freakishly hot in that basement. Just add in all the lights, crew, and now a giant, heavy snake. I felt pretty panicked, but we all made it out alive.
Another shoot with Barbour, landed us in a nudist colony in Indiana. In those days, interviewing a fat, naked, old guy was shocking.
I remember how embarrassing it was to be standing off to the side, holding my clipboard full of questions, watching this guy sitting on our clear plastic chair, and again, it was stifling hot in that room.
I can still remember seeing him sweat while sitting on that chair, wondering if he were going to stick to it, and hoping that I wouldn’t have be the one to have to grab that chair when we were done. Luckily I didn't, but, the highlight of my day was strolling the grounds with him and Barbour while we took a tour. This wasn’t a nudist colony of young, toned people. It was teeming with middle-aged, flabby people. Yuck!
Later, over dinner, as we all talked about our day, we realized that we left the plastic chair behind! We all decided immediately that we were all willing to chip in for a new one if we had to. Luckily, we didn’t.
When “Good Morning America” came to town, they wanted to shoot a promo at “Great America” riding their newest roller coaster and you guessed it, I've never liked roller coasters that much either. The idea was to have someone in the front seat of the roller coaster and as they came to the end of the ride, they would have their arms raised, with big smiles on their faces, and yell “I’m so and so at Great America…Good Morning America!”
It was a simple idea that should’ve worked. Unfortunately, no one had thought to bring the talent release forms to “Great America” that day, and we couldn’t use any of the roller coaster enthusiasts who were waiting to ride this new monstrous coaster.
As luck would have it, I was one of the two youngest, and presumably bravest, people from “Good Morning America” there that day and I was drafted into service, along with another young woman. I took one look at this coaster and thought,"Uh. No". The “Little Dipper” at “Kiddieland” was more my speed. When the finger pointing started about who forgot the talent release forms, I realized I didn’t want to wind up with any finger pointing my way, so I agreed to do it.
I knew I could handle this…one ride and this would be over. As the crew set up the cameras, we rehearsed our line and practiced how we’d throw our hands up at the end of the ride. As we nervously settled into the front seat, we glanced at each other with sheepish grins and headed up that first hill. We chatted it up as we got to the top and as we crested the hill, we began to barrel down the tracks. Thinking we were going to die, we grabbed the bars, and screamed from start to finish. As pulled into the station at the end of the ride we both had a look sheer terror, and neither of us said one word to the cameras.
Everyone on the crew was laughing. We looked at each other, realized how we just screwed this up, and all we could do was laugh.
We were sure that they were going to just use the shot as-is, so we started to crawl out of the roller coaster. "Not so fast, ladies." The producer said. "We didn’t get the shot. You didn’t say the line.”
Somehow, knowing we had survived it once, we gained confidence and knew we could do it again. The second time, we nailed it. The producer decided he wanted another take, just in case. The third time, we did an even better job. It was that day that I developed a love of roller coasters. By the time we were done, we had been on that ride at least ten times and we didn’t want to get off. Yippeee!
Snakes? Naked people? Roller coasters? Working in TV can lead to some interesting situations. You never know what you’ll run into, so you have to be ready for anything.
If you're ready to take that first step toward making your dream of working in broadcasting a reality, we're ready to help make that happen.
It's as easy as filling out an application and scheduling your tour today.
The Ohio Illinois Centers for Broadcasting. Where Broadcasting Careers Begin!
Posted by Jodi Franks on Tue, Oct 23, 2012 @ 02:33 PM
Terry GrodenDirectorCleveland Campus
Once you've made the decision to become part of the broadcasting community, you quickly discover that our community is so much bigger than what happens in front of the camera or behind the microphone.
It's about understanding and embracing those that you will serve.
Terry Groden, Director of the Cleveland Campus, recently shared how his students were quick to act when the need was immediate and great.
Ohio Center for Broadcasting Students Rally for the Needy.
Students at the Ohio Center for Broadcasting in Cleveland showed their generosity recently with a quick-turnaround food drive.
The Ohio Center for Broadcastings' Advisory Board member, Candyce Traci, shared with students about an immediate need for a local food pantry. Within the week, a laundry hamper, three boxes, and three shopping bags were filled with non-perishable foods and non-food items.
Traci was thrilled with the students’ effort, noting that many needy families will benefit because of the students’ big hearts. The effort was on behalf of the 9th Annual Middleburg Heights Elected Officials Food Drive.
Traci and school officials presented this opportunity to students for two reasons.
One was to help them realize the wonderful feeling that comes from being charitable. The other, was a lesson about what they will find when they enter the working world of broadcasting.
Students need to understand how important community outreach is to Radio and TV stations. Media companies are constantly trying to help and improve the lives of people in their hometowns, nationally, or even abroad.
It’s a lesson that appears to have hit home with many OCB students.
The students were so inspired by the result of their efforts that they will be helping Traci with a new outreach effort. They will be working with an elementary school in New York on a campaign to draw attention to the importance of recycling efforts across the country.
We’ll have more information on that effort in November.
Our program is an intensive hands-on experience that takes you from basic equipment operation, to networking, to exposing you to the many ways you can establish and build your brand within todays' broadcasting industry.
If you feel you're ready to take the first step toward making your dream of working in broadcasting a reality, we're here to get you started..today.
The Ohio Illinois Centers for Broadcasting. Where Broadcasting Careers Begin!
Posted by Jodi Franks on Tue, Oct 16, 2012 @ 03:58 PM
Rollin DeVere IIIThe Ohio Center for BroadcastingGraduate/Cleveland Campus
As part of the graduation requirements students must acquire 308 intern hours during their time with The Ohio Illinois Centers for Broadcasting.
Each of our locations have relationships with local television and radio stations, but there are times when special opportunities present themselves that are almost too good to be true.
This year we partnered with NBC Universal Studios. Students from our Cleveland Campus applied to have the opportunity to work with the production crew. Four of our students were selected. LaTonia, a recent Cleveland Campus graduate, took some time to share her story and her recent experience as part of the crew with Fireball Run. Fireball Run is a reality television show that's part scavenger hunt, part race, and a mission to bring awareness to America's Missing Children.
Rollin DeVere, a recent Cleveland Campus graduate, was another strong presence as part of Team OICBFireball. He took a few minutes to share his experience with Fireball Run, and share why he feels The Ohio Illinois Centers for Broadcasting was the right educational choice for him as he works toward his goal of achieving success in the broadcasting industry.
I'm from Chagrin Falls Ohio, born and raised. I started early in the theater where my family is somewhat of a legacy. My Grandmother helped found The Chagrin Valley Little Theater in the 1940’s, and my family has been involved ever since. It was at an early age I learned production value from the local professionals who performed there.
I chose the Ohio Center for Broadcasting to improve my technical knowledge and personal network in Cleveland.
While at OCB, I have gained the experience and knowledge that I needed, and have had many good opportunities to work around town with various productions.
Chris O’Connell, our National Outreach Coordinator told me about a unique internship opportunity with the production crew for Fireball Run. I sent in my audition video and was accepted by Producer JJ Sanchez and Director Brian Bazala to be part of the live-stream team.
My teammates and I produced our own show to parallel Fireball Run in order to help us understand live-streaming functions and the equipment we would be using. We also got a great feel for what it was going to be like being live and on air.
It was a life changing experience that elevated myself and my teammates to a new level of professionalism.
One thing I would share with anyone who is considering attending The Ohio Center for Broadcasting is… just do it!
I would also tell them to take advantage of every opportunity, master the equipment, and network as often as possible.
A career in broadcasting is more than just being behind a microphone or in front of a camera. Writing, producing, directing, and editing are just a few examples of the many job opportunities that you could be yours in a little less than a year.
If you're ready to take the first step toward your dream of working in broadcasting, we're ready to get you started today.
The Ohio Illinois Centers for Broadcasting. Where Broadcasting Careers Begin!
Posted by Jodi Franks on Wed, Oct 10, 2012 @ 02:34 PM
LaTonia HopeGraduate/The Ohio Illinois Centers for BroadcastingCleveland CampusWife and Mother of 3
As part of the graduation requirements students must acquire 308 intern hours during their time with The Ohio Illinois Centers for Broadcasting.
Each of our locations have relationships with local television and radio stations, but there are times when special opportunities present themselves that are almost too good to be true.
This year we partnered with NBC Universal Studios. Students from our Cleveland Campus applied to have the opportunity to work with the production crew. Four of our students were selected. LaTonia, a recent Cleveland Campus graduate, took some time to share her story and her recent experience as part of the crew with Fireball Run. Fireball Run is a reality television show that's part scavenger hunt, part race, and a mission to bring awareness to America's Missing Children.
I ultimately chose The Ohio Center for Broadcasting because it spoke to me during my tour of the facility. During the tour, I felt a strong sense of confirmation that I belonged there. I sat with the administration and decided to take the plunge, step out on faith, and begin my life anew.
Being exposed to the different facets of broadcasting allowed me discover my niche, as well as what I liked and what I didn't. When the opportunity to be part of Fireball Run presented itself, I jumped on it. I prepared a video that I was proud of and submitted it. It turned out that it was the video they liked most. It was that encouragement, that I knew the skills that I both learned and developed at OCB had me on the right track.
Fireball Run was an great experience in so many ways:
- I learned to work with people with diverse styles and values.
- I was in a position to communicate with people who were successful in the industry.
- I would be able to use Fireball Run on my resume.
- Despite my age, I found I was a solid asset to the overall production.
- I received many compliments regarding my work from the Executive Producer. That was absolutely priceless.
If I had to share a piece of advice to anyone looking to work in broadcasting or in film, it would be:
- Be Yourself. No one likes a kiss-a##. If you are given the opportunity to work with a crew like that, believe that it was God that placed you there, and only God can remove you.
- Be A Team Player. Never try to aggrandize yourself at anyone else's expense. Please know that betrayal is never forgotten or respected. Those that make the decisions will recognize your work, and if they don't, it's their loss.
- Get Ready for Some Hard Work. Allow yourself to be comfortable in your surroundings, and know that you have just as much right to be on the team as anyone else. Take critiques, but not personally. Be willing to grow, but know that with growth comes growing pains.
- Find a School That Fits Your Needs. Frankly, there are a lot of schools out there that promise some big things and charge big tuitions along with them. I, along with my teammates, were chosen out of many other applicants from schools all over the country. However, the Executive Producer told me that he chose us because of the education that The Ohio Center for Broadcasting provided. We were also chosen based on our individual skill sets and abilities. The right education makes the difference.
- Show Up Every Day, Early!
- Be Focused. Work every project and learn everything being taught.
- Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions, or ask for opportunities to learn more.
- Talk With the Instructors, it will help you find your way.
- Lastly, Anything Worth Having is Indeed, Worth Working For. In this is the glory of God- to do what he's given you to do with the right attitude. To be a blessing while being blessed!
No matter where you are in life, there's never been a better time than now to pursue your passion. If you're ready to take the first step toward your dream of working in the broadcasting industry, we're ready to help you get started today.
The Ohio Illinois Centers for Broadcasting. Where Broadcasting Careers Begin!
Posted by Jodi Franks on Thu, Sep 20, 2012 @ 10:15 AM
Terry GrodenSchool DirectorThe Ohio Center for BroadcastingCleveland Campus
Cavalier’s Legend, Austin Carr, Visits Cleveland Campus
Throughout your time at The Ohio Center for Broadcasting, guest speakers are just one of the many unique opportunities you'll experience as a student.
Guest speakers provide insight, experience, and offer great networking suggestions.
Former NBA-great, and current professional broadcaster, Austin Carr visited the Ohio Center for Broadcasting’s Cleveland campus on September 18th --- and had some great words of wisdom for students.
Carr is heading into his 15th season as part of the Cleveland Cavalier’s TV broadcast team on Fox Sports Ohio. Before that, he was a two-time All-American basketball player for Notre Dame, and a ten-year veteran of the NBA.
Carr spent eight of his ten seasons in pro-ball with the Cavaliers, where he quickly established himself as a popular player and successful personality in Cleveland. Austin holds several team records and had his number 34 jersey retired by the club in 1981.
As soon as he arrived on campus, Austin was gracious enough to sit in for a few minutes on one of our “Be On Air” sports programs in progress. He then headed into the classroom where he dazzled a capacity audience.
Carr’s messages for students at OCB were right on target. He told students about the importance of networking and making a favorable impression on everyone you meet in the broadcasting industry. He also spoke about leaving all doors open because you never know where your career will lead you.
Austin repeatedly told students “to be yourself” while working to achieve their dreams. He mentioned the importance of working together as a team in broadcasting and that, if you’re the person in front of the microphone or camera, it’s not all about you.
Finally, Austin reminded students that broadcasting takes hard work and preparation, even for veterans like him. He explained his typical broadcast day and said that there are hours of homework and prep-time to be done before the lights go on and the show begins.
Actually, Carr had one more valuable lesson for the students. He told them how important it is to give back to the community. While at the Ohio Center for Broadcasting, Austin certainly walked the talk. He was very generous with his time, answering numerous questions, signing a bunch of autographs, and taking all the pictures people asked for.
Thanks Austin!
If you think you're ready to take that first step toward making your dream of working in broadcasting a reality, we're ready to get you started.
It's as easy as scheduling a tour, or connect with us here.
The Ohio Center for Broadcasting. Where Broadcasting Careers Begin!
Posted by Jodi Franks on Tue, Aug 14, 2012 @ 09:18 AM
Kim LucatortoAssistant Education DirectorIllinois Center for Broadcasting-Chicago Campus
By the time they graduate, broadcasting students usually have a dream job in mind. Me? I wanted to be a Television Producer.
I knew that going directly from school to being a television producer wasn’t going to just happen overnight. As luck would have it, one of my teachers helped me get my first television job. I landed in the mail room at ABC-7 in Chicago. Now, before you dismiss that job as a waste of time, I’ll let you in on a little secret. Starting in the mailroom is actually a great way to get started.
Here are four things I learned by working in the mail room.
- I was in and out of every office at that TV station, twice each day. Each day, I ran ‘the 360’ route to drop off station PR materials to the main newspapers in town and pick up items to bring back to the station. This was in the days before computers and faxes. It was great in warm weather, but brutal in the winter. However, I got to meet people with the newspapers while I was there. Those connections would be key later when I entered the publishing part of my career.
- I used my time in the mail room wisely. I was one of the few people at the station who actually knew everyone, what every department did, and how it all fit together at the station. That information became invaluable when a news anchor would like some free tickets to a show, and didn't know who to ask in the sales department. You can build a network of contacts pretty fast when you run errands for other employees, and the payoff is helping them get tickets to the hottest show in town.
- I also heard every bit of gossip there was at the station. I kept it to myself and used it to my advantage. Imagine what you could do for yourself, if you knew that the person currently working in the job you wanted was quitting, well before anyone else knew about it. I made sure I started campaigning for that job immediately.
- Those of us who are alumni of the mail room like to hire people who also started in the mail room. Go figure. We were young, ambitious, and took any opportunity to get a foot in the door. You’ll find those people in the most surprising places. From heading up entertainment divisions, to producing/writing/directing, to acting, and every job in between.
There are a lot of people in TV who started in the mail room, including that same teacher who helped me get my mail room job. He is an Emmy-winning director, and has traveled around the world working for ABC Sports for years. Not too shabby, right?
One of the best things about your time with the Ohio/Illinois Center for Broadcasting, is that you don't have to wait to get your first job in order to get your foot in the door. Each student is required to earn 308 intern hours in order to graduate. It's those intern hours that not only give you the hands-on experience you'll need, you'll also develop key networking skills.
In our industry, your success will be determined by your work ethic, your skills, and getting to know the right people to help you on your journey.
So, if you have a chance to start in a job like the mail room…take it. It’s a great place to start. You’ll not only get the honor of being able to say "I started in the mail room’, it could also open up more doors than you ever thought possible.
If you're ready to take that first step toward your new career in broadcasting, we're ready to get you started today.
The Ohio Center for Broadcasting. Where Broadcasting Careers Begin!
Posted by Jodi Franks on Mon, Jul 16, 2012 @ 12:54 PM
Terry GrodenCampus DirectorCleveland Campus
Earlier this year, we welcomed new campus director, Terry Groden. Terry's previous experiences include: being a writer and anchor with Metro Networks, and (22) years of service within the Broadcasting Industry. He was also recognized as a National Top Ten Director of Operations by Metro Networks. With his tenure and talent, Terry has brought something special to our Cleveland Campus.
Today’s Broadcasting Program at OCB … Something Past Grads Should Envy
I became Campus Director with The Ohio Center for Broadcasting in Cleveland this past April. That step brought my career full-circle. I graduated a similar program in 1988, and many things have changed during my 24-year broadcasting career --- including the program that’s offered today at OCB. I’m kind of envious about that.
When I graduated 24 years ago, I learned plenty about Radio. Of course some of the technology I learned, things like how to splice tape and how carts worked, is outdated today. However, the material I learned, and the people I met, put my career on solid footing. My journey since then has been a blast!
When I see the program today, I regret that I’m not a student now. Holy cow! Students today are learning about television production and website design, in addition to the traditional radio broadcast instruction, and they have the ability to cut their teeth by having their own show on our internet radio stations. They are truly receiving a well-rounded, hands-on education showcasing the many facets of the broadcast industry.
I’ve spoken to current students on many occasions regarding the advantages they have today compared with students of the past. (Now I’m sounding like my father!)...but it’s true. The internet radio stations at the Ohio Center for Broadcasting present students with an amazing opportunity. These stations are a real-world, interactive tool that give students a non-threatening way to learn from their mistakes before getting that first job in radio. I encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity as much as possible.
I’ve also been amazed by some of the video projects that I’ve seen from our students. Their creativity and skills are very impressive --- but I think I’ll save that for my next blog.
In the meantime, tune in to “rock.beonair.com” or “alternative.beonair.com” I think you’ll be impressed and entertained!
At The Ohio Illinois Center for Broadcasting, another tremendous educational advantage our students receive is that they are trained by industry professionals. Our instructors are active members of the broadcasting community, and many of our staff consists of those who previously worked in the industry. The absolute best of both worlds.
If you feel you're ready to take that first step of making your dream of working in Broadcasting a reality, it's as easy as scheduling a campus tour, or, you can apply here right now.
The Ohio Center for Broadcasting. Where Broadcasting Careers Begin.
Posted by Jodi Franks on Tue, Jun 12, 2012 @ 02:22 PM
As new broadcasting students, it can be pretty difficult to process how quickly your life is changing. There's no reason to panic. You are simply transitioning from the world of being a broadcasting spectator in to a broadcasting professional.
You may not notice it right away, but slowly your friends and family don't want to watch television with you any longer. Perhaps it's because you seem to constantly comment on camera angles, or point out tiny production errors that the "average" viewer doesn't see. You suddenly start to pay more attention to the production value of the commercials you hear on the radio, or how that morning show set up the perfect "bit", instead of the actual music that the station plays.
Probably the most significant change you'll experience is how you'll start to view the world around you. It becomes more about how you can gather a seemingly never-ending stream of information and translate it into engaging content to share with your viewers or listeners.
In the not too distant past, it seemed as if there were an unlimited amount of time to discuss whatever you wanted to during your airshift. Today breaks are short, concise, and over in about 90 seconds. How can you connect and engage your community in 90 seconds or less?
It's all about embracing Social Media. Mastering the new media is crucial to your success as a next generation talent. I just came across this great piece by Loyd Ford via RadioInk Magazine. In it, Loyd covers four areas that On-Air talent should consider when using social media.
You, as a new broadcaster, have the advantage of being able to build your social media skills as you complete your technical training with The Ohio Center for Broadcasting. The more skills you acquire as a student makes you an extremely attractive hire for an employer who is looking for someone who can "hit the ground running". Not only are you in a better position to land your first job, you'll be ahead of the curve and ready to lend a hand training the "vets" in the language of the new media. You are the new breed of broadcaster. Social Media is the answer to the 6 Million Dollar question. Ok...so I watched an old episode of the 6 Million Dollar Man and I got carried away, but you get where I'm coming from.
The best advice I ever received was this: "Never let the technology get ahead of you".
If you're ready to embrace the new media and pursue your dream of working in broadcasting, it's as easy as connecting with us and scheduling a tour to visit the campus closest to you.
The Ohio Center for Broadcasting. Where Broadcasting Careers Begin!