The OICB Radio & TV Career Tips Blog

Preparing Students for a Career in the New Media

As a student with The Ohio Center for Broadcasting, one of the many student support services we offer is job placement. Our Career Services department spends considerable time getting to know each student throughout their time with OCB. It's the extra step we take to ensure that graduates of our program find employment that ends in a long term career in the broadcasting industry.

Each year Gary James, our National Career Services Director, attends the NAB. (In case you didn't know...The National Association of Broadcasters is the voice for the nation's radio and television broadcasters. As the premier trade association for broadcasters, NAB advances the interests of our members in federal government, industry and public affairs; improves the quality and profitability of broadcasting; encourages content and technology innovation; and spotlights the important and unique ways stations serve their communities.)

During his time at the NAB, Gary participated with a brief Q&A session with Production Hub.  ProductionHUB, Inc. (www.productionhub.com) is the search engine for media & entertainment serving film, television, video, live event and digital media production. Developed in 1998, ProductionHUB serves as a tool for anyone with an Internet connection to find production products, equipment, services and professionals.

PH: Tell us a little bit about your institution and how it differs from competitors in the industry.

GJ: The Ohio/Illinois Center for Broadcasting is a career college with campuses in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Downtown Chicago, Lombard IL, and Denver CO.
We have been training people for a career in the broadcast industry for more than 25 years through a hands-on approach. Our school is focused on a positive student outcome that results in the graduate starting a career in the broadcast/media arts industry. All of our students work in an active internship, where they have the opportunity to network with people in the industry and learn from professionals. All of our instructors currently work in the industry, so students learn from people that are actually doing what they teach.

PH: What are some of your most popular classes/majors/tracks right now?

GJ: The program at the Ohio/Illinois Center for Broadcasting is a twelve month program that starts with radio production and proceeds into television and video production. Our students learn both venues so they are versatile upon graduation. We have recently extended the program and added online content management and production to the curriculum. The majority of our students are between 18 and 25, so they understand the importance of social media as a marketing tool. They also understand how online content is consumed, because they are the primary consumers. Therefore many of our students are focused on New Media/Digital positions.

PH: Are there certain industry trends we should be on the look-out for regarding education or training?

GJ: With online content, more employers are looking for people that are well versed in online content management and production. We are positioning graduates of the Ohio/Illinois Center for Broadcasting to be well prepared for the new industry trends that are emerging. Students are excited about new media and they have a passion for working in this rapidly evolving technology.

PH: If you could give one piece of advice for a student graduating this month, what would it be?

GJ: Be versatile with passion. Someone told me when I was about to graduate from school, “Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life.” Passion for your career is so important because it will give you the drive and determination you need to succeed. Passion will come out in your creativity and all of your work. As technology is changing every day, you need to be versatile. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to get a foot in the door and build your career from that point. As you are building your career, you will be asked to do things you never thought would be in your job description, but as Radio, TV and the Internet, converge you have to be able to provide your services on multiple platforms.

If you feel that your passion is a career in broadcasting, call us today to schedule a tour at any of our six campuses. The Ohio Center for Broadcasting, Where Broadcasting Careers Begin!

Taking on Radio Row at SuperBowl XLVI Part II

Last week, Sheera Poelman, a recent Denver campus graduate, shared Part I of her first broadcasting experience as a producer on "Radio Row" in Indianapolis for SuperBowl XLVI.

As the week continued, the room filled up as more stations descended upon radio row. Our list of available players for interviews grew, as did the competition for air time. My job became a balancing act between watching the clock and moving players from station to station while simultaneously booking more interviews. The days are long—13 hours circling this room has become a second home.

Following my 13-hour marathon of a day, dinner is planned with the same players that have been restlessly broadcasting their message across the entire U.S. Those meals consisted of food and drink, the likes of which words simply cannot describe. All I can say is that I will be at the gym for the next month, because I consumed every last bite. The restaurants are intimidating and I am quietly thanking my mother for teaching me proper table manners when faced with three separate forks. At one point I approached Jim Rome and his producer, since they were having drinks one table down from our own. The two of them laugh (at my jokes!) and teased me as I pushed them on the issue of getting Sean Salisbury on their show. I immediately made a mental note to send an e-mail before bed. My last thought for the night, "Is this real?" Eighteen hours have flown by and I realize it is amazing how the body reacts to no sleep. Running on pure adrenaline, joy, and that extraordinary feeling in my stomach, that feeling of fear and excitement, translated into butterflies.

By day two, I have completely lost that "deer-in-headlights look", and I was overcome with a confidence that I was unaware lived inside me. For the first time in my life I feel as though I was doing what I was created to do. Our last work day arrives without warning and ends with hugs from fellow producers, laughs with new friends, and a fist full of business cards. We booked and produced 171 appearances on more than 60 media outlets in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain

I couldn't help but feel sad, but also accomplished and relieved, as I boarded the plane back to Denver. I finally stopped to really breathe for the first time in four days. I am so excited to know that this is the beginning of the rest of my career.

My new problem…how do I top this?

I woke up after my first night back home (14 hours of hard sleep!) and seriously wondered if I actually experienced what I did, or if I had dreamt the entire thing. Since then, it has taken me four nights to not try to book interviews in my sleep, or wake up and realize that I am at home, not in a hotel in Indianapolis.

I don't know if it is my subconscious, wishful thinking, or a shocked system, but coming back to Denver flooded me with strong emotions. People are telling me it's exhaustion, and that my tears are just a reflex. To me, I’m not so sure. What I do know is that it was like tasting the most decadent French Silk Pie and then being served Lime Jello. Whoever decided that Lime Jello was a dessert obviously has never had French silk pie. There's just no comparison!

Someone I look up to once told me "Ambition is good, but patience is better." At first I scoffed at this advice, as patience was never something I've possessed. Then I had to stop and look around. I am getting paid every day to be on camera, to shoot and edit my own footage, and learn the production trade. In two years I have come farther and accomplished more than I ever thought possible. When the TV is turned on to Comcast cable within the Denver city limits, you can, and will, see my face on educational television. I have worked harder and committed more hours than I can count, but I have come farther than I ever realized.

Here’s the truth... Life is a constant training ground. How fun would it be if you had everything all at once with nothing to strive for? You are where you are for a reason. The last thing I want is to jump into water that is too deep for me to swim. So I count my blessings as I brave the kiddie pool and aspire for bigger and better. I am so thankful for the ability to see my dreams come to fruition and while I struggle to swallow the notion of patience, I continue to dream and to harness my ambition (though I can’t wait for next year in New Orleans!).

Last week, Super Bowl XLVI... next week, the joy of the unknown.

For more information on where training from one of our broadcasting colleges can lead you, visit http://beonair.com/careers or contact any of our locations to schedule a campus tour.

Taking on Radio Row at Super Bowl XLVI/ Part I

Radio Row at the Super Bowl, where top radio stations from across the U.S., Canada, and even Europe, descend to broadcast live.

None of it seemed real as I packed and attempted to think of everything that could possibly occur and how I could get ready for it. The scenarios that went through my mind were ridiculous to the point where I think that I packed and unpacked at least 3 times.

While on our flight we discovered former Denver Bronco, Mark Schlereth, was on our flight and we were lucky enough to "chat him up" at baggage claim. 

From the moment we walked off the plane, it was in front of you. Everywhere I looked it screamed “SUPER BOWL.” The downtown streets were closed and overhead people were literally riding a zip line as we walked down the freezing streets of Indianapolis. Doesn’t matter that it’s cold. These people were out and ready for a party!

We arrived at the J.W. Marriott—media headquarters—and I could feel the buzz as soon as we got inside. This is my favorite part of the broadcast business: the feeling of adrenaline and fear, churning like butterflies in my stomach. A smiling woman handed me a pass that said "Super Bowl XLVI" and below, MY NAME! Another reality check..Yes, this was actually happening.

My job is to get my six retired NFL players on as many shows as possible on “Radio Row.” Suddenly it began. A blur of sink or swim, as radio producers from across the country were approaching me from all sides. “Who do you have?” I'm asked. “I want Lucas, love Salisbury, … When can we get him?...” The talent breaks mid sentence and bellows into his headset “We are live from Indianapolis here at Radio Row!” I am memorizing names and faces as fast as my brain will work while running circles, constantly walking by the crew setting up the NFL Network’s live set in the center of the room. I circled by Jim Rome as he is “burning” from a ridiculously large stage 3 feet above the ground. Another loop around the room and I passed Shannon Sharpe interviewing to my left, and Cris Collinsworth to my right. (Mental note: 6 inch heels were a poor choice!).

By the end of the day I can’t feel my feet; my brain is mush; but my heart is happy. Thirteen hours of work, back to the hotel, then off to a production meeting, dinner, and finally, the real fun begins. Tomorrow, I have to make all the interviews that I set up actually happen.

 
Sometimes I have to pinch myself. I got up this morning and I could hardly believe where I was only a year ago. I am so blessed and humbled beyond belief.

Keep checking back for more of Sheera's "Radio Row" experience at SuperBowl XLVI.

For more information on where training from one of our broadcasting colleges can lead you, visit http://beonair.com/careers or contact any of our locations to schedule a campus tour.