Start with a school radio station
My 15-year-old nephew asked me, "How and where to practice
and develop one of the working skills during school time?"
My first thought, at that moment, was "College radio
station".
At 16, I joined my college radio station and began my job as an
editor for an online music program. From that day, I have become
acquainted with terms such as noise, sound, broadcast, frequency
and so on. Luckier than many people, with that job, I could earn
money for my living, besides gaining very much experience and
building up many good relationships which can support my current
and future career. And with such experience, now, I can give
advice to my nephew or any youth who wants to start a career and
develop their skill, knowledge in working.
Well, let me think about what we need for a college radio
station. If just listing out, we might think that it's too
simple and easy: a studio, or source of program, and the
transmission lines. If you are beginners, don't think you can do
much and all but step by step. It was really difficult at that
time when we began with various odd pieces of equipment. We
started using the easiest means of transmission by broadcasting
in the school canteen, in classes. And later, we added more ways
to reach the audience. We concentrated on serving our school and
at the same time extended to other colleges in the same area.
Actually, the running of our school radio station was based on
fund-raising and sponsorship money. Besides some necessary
equipment such as Mini-discs, computers, recorders, we faced a
bigger problem for a long time looking for an old, affordable
multi-track mixer. We didn't have the advanced and efficient
equipment to support our work.
The first broadcasting show of ours was a two-hour program
divided into 3 smaller sections. The first one was "Hello
Morning" with 3 tiny bulletins of 3 to 5 minutes each. In these
bulletins, we presented all good and happy news. The second
section was "Music Dedication Program". We compiled a few
collections of music and one by one was presented everyday. The
third one was "School loud speaker" during which we announced
important events of the school for the following week. Day by
day, the program was extended and the coverage of the program
was enlarged.
We received more orders from many schools for radio
storytellers, puppeteers, live music programs, music festivals,
and etc. The students who worked in the radio station were
really in situation in which we could practice and develop the
skills of drawing up plans, solving problems, devising
strategies and many more. Two years later, our radio station was
presented with a big gift from a local station: a voice changer
software and a music editor software. These advanced softwares
helped us handle our job properly. Instead of needing many
students to join in dubbing for a story or a drama, now, we just
need two "technical operators" and two students to make the
dubbing. The old weak multi-track mixer was "retired" and the
music editor software put into its place.
We learnt how to apply these efficient tools in work. Of course,
we found them very useful and interesting. We could easily
record, remix music, add sound and effects, change one voice
into many others. These jobs used to require many people and
much time . However, applying our computers and these softwares,
we could do the job well with just 4 or 5 people.
We spent much time, thought and labor in this extra-curriculum
job, but we loved it. We made school lessons more interesting
and exciting. We created a different way for children to gain
experience and helped them make a presentation in a new way. We
made a radio program which was considered the "voice" of
students, pupils in the school. We sent meaningful music
messages to friends, teachers, and so on. I join my current
company, a provider of voice changer and music editor softwares,
because of many reasons. One of these reasons is that I want to
support many college radio stations. My friends who used to work
with me in our school radio station are all having good jobs in
professional television stations, recording studios. We are very
happy to give advice and guidelines to youth in starting a
school radio station or a home music studio.
One of the first advices from me is that "Don't wait until
tomorrow what you can do today". Seize any chance you
have, start with your dream, step by step, and you can see a
clearer road for your future.