A Day in the Life: Radio Station Intern

Working at a radio station is a great way to learn about music media, and with the growth of podcasting and online radio has mushroomed in popularity over the past decade. Interning at a radio station is a great way to gain insight into this sector of the industry, and BeatBrdg has great relationships with radio stations of all sizes, from national and syndicated stations, to smaller online only channels.

In this piece, we will walk you through a typical day in the life of Rebecca, a final year media studies undergraduate student and 2023 BeatBrdg intern at an online radio station.

5.00AM – Doing the Breakfast Show, Means I Wake Up at 5am!

As a radio station intern, my day starts early in the morning. We work 3 alternate days per week, so today I wake up at 5:00 am to prepare for my day ahead. I dress up in business casual attire and grab my backpack, which contains my laptop, notepad, and pen, and get the first train to Barbican.

6:00 AM – Let’s Get Started!

I arrive at the radio station by 6:00 am, 30 minutes before the start of my shift. As soon as I enter the station, I am greeted by the security guard, who checks my ID and clears me to enter. I head straight to the team office, where I spend the first 10 minutes of my day reviewing my tasks for the day.

My tasks vary from day to day, but they mostly include assisting the production team, coordinating with the marketing team, and helping the hosts of the various shows with their research and prep.

On this particular day, my main task was to help the production team with the editing of a pre-recorded segment for the morning show. The segment features an interview with a famous musician who is in town for a concert. The production team has already edited the raw audio, and my task is to select and add some background music and sound effects to make it more engaging.

I spend the next two hours working on the segment, carefully selecting the appropriate music tracks and sound effects to enhance the overall quality of the segment. I also ensure that the audio levels are balanced and that the segment runs smoothly without any glitches, before passing it over to the producer to check and approve.

8.00AM – The Segment is Ready

The segment is ready, and I send it to the production team for their approval. They listen to it and give me some feedback, which I implement quickly.

With the segment complete, I now have some free time, which I use to catch up on some emails and phone calls. I respond to emails from the marketing team regarding an upcoming promotional event and call the hosts of the afternoon show to check if they need any help with their research.

9:00 AM – Attend the Team Meeting

I attend the morning meeting, where the producers and hosts discuss the lineup for the day. During the meeting, I take notes and make sure that all the necessary details are captured. After the meeting, I head back to my desk to start working on my next task.

My next task is to assist the marketing team with an upcoming promotional event. The event is a concert featuring several local bands, and the radio station is one of the sponsors. My task is to help with the logistics of the event, such as coordinating with the bands, arranging for the sound equipment, and setting up the stage.

I spend the next few hours making phone calls and sending emails to the bands, vendors, and sponsors to ensure that everything is in place. I also create a checklist to ensure that all the necessary items are available for the event. Arrive at the studio and check in with the studio manager. Get a rundown of the day’s schedule and tasks.

12:00 PM – Lunch Break

I take a break for lunch. I usually bring my lunch from home, but on some days, I order food from one of the nearby restaurants. Today, I decide to order a sandwich from a nearby deli. After lunch, I return to my desk and continue working on the promotional event.

2:00 PM – Assisting the Afternoon Show’s Production Team

I have finalized all the arrangements, and everything is set for the event. I send out an email to the marketing team, informing them that everything is in place.

With the promotional event out of the way, I move on to my next task, which is to assist the hosts of the afternoon show with their research. The hosts are planning to do a segment on the history of rock and roll, and they need some help with their research.

I spend the next two hours researching the history of rock and roll, gathering information from various sources such as books, online articles, and documentaries. I compile all the information in a document and send it to the hosts. They review the document and give me some feedback on the parts that need to be included in their show.

4:00 PM – Production Team Meeting and TIme to Pack Up

I attend a meeting with the production team to discuss the lineup for the next day’s shows. During the meeting, we review the segments and features that will be included in each show and discuss any last-minute changes or updates.

After the meeting, I head back to wrap up my work for the day. I spend the next hour responding to emails and making sure that all my tasks are completed. Before leaving, I check in with my supervisor to see if there are any additional tasks that need to be completed before the end of the day.

5:30 PM – What A Day!

I pack up my things and head home. I feel satisfied with the work I have accomplished for the day and look forward to coming back after my day off fully recharged and ready to learn again.

As an intern, I get to work with talented and experienced professionals who have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the radio industry. I have learned so much about the production process, marketing, and research, and I have had the opportunity to contribute to the success of the station.

I feel grateful for the opportunity to work in such a dynamic and exciting industry and look forward to the rest of my internship.

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