The Role of the College Radio Station

Even with the advent of internet radio and the countless other media outlets available, the college radio station is alive and well. Since the early days of radio, colleges have been a beacon in the industry. These stations are not fueled by generating revenue; rather, they are designed to give students a voice. College stations are independently run from major corporations. Often, the college's officials have very little say in the content of the programming. They are run by the students and for the students. Programming ranges from music of all kinds to sports broadcasts to talk shows. They are typically on the air 24 hours a day giving many different students a chance to gain experience in this medium.

It is likely that you will find a wide range of musical tastes throughout a day of programming on a college radio station. While you may hear some of the hits of the day, you are going to hear some underground music that doesn't usually get played on the major stations in your area. Many bands made up of students from the college have their songs played on these stations giving them a chance to make a name for themselves. Many of the bigger, popular bands are aware that large portions of their audiences are college students. When they come to the area to perform, many will seek out the local college stations to make a stronger connection with their rabid fan bases.

Sports broadcasting has become such a popular career field over the past quarter century. If you are interested in cracking into this cut throat business, your college radio station is the perfect place to gain some experience. While these stations have limited budgets, broadcasting a game from campus or a nearby arena is relatively inexpensive. At the game, the broadcasters will call into the station from a landline and they will be connected to the airwaves to announce the action. Most athletic departments will grant college stations media credentials to cover the games as it is a great way for the teams to connect to their fan base.

College radio stations also act as vehicles for change on the campus and beyond. Many stations will have talk shows designed in much the same way as major talk shows. Student hosts bring a fresh perspective to the events around campus and the nation. If they have enough cache to attract a large audience, they can become major players in the political arena. Many talk show hosts got their start at their college stations.