Radio History: CBS Radio was launched in 1928 as the Columbia Broadcasting System by William S. Paley.
My History: Back in 2010 I was a college student at Rowan University, in South Jersey. At the time I was the Operations Manager at WGLS-- Rowan Radio! One afternoon, the Station Manager pulled me aside and asked me what my plans were after college. I said I wanted to work in radio at a Rock station, but I was willing to work anywhere to start. After a few minutes of chatting he basically told me he could get me an interview with a Program Director at a radio station in Philadelphia. The conversation ended with me saying “thank you” and him looking me in the eyes and saying “don’t fuck it up.”
I interviewed to be a Board Operator at a music station. The shift they were offering was Saturday overnights. Basically, my role would have been pushing buttons and pulling faders while most of the East Coast was either ordering their last drink at the bar or sleeping.
I don’t remember the exact details, but I’m pretty sure the PD told me before the interview was over that they were looking for a more experienced candidate. So I went back to my Station Manager and told him how everything went and after a few more minutes of chatting, again, he presented me another opportunity and reminded me.. "don't fuck it up.”
Interview #2 took place for a different station, with a different PD but in the same building and the same floor as the first interview. This interview was for the same position, as a Board Op, but instead of music, the station format was Political Talk. Also, there was opportunity for more hours during all dayparts. I would also work with Hosts directly and was expected to research news stories and help generate show content. I left that interview pretty confident I didn’t get the job; 1. I didn’t have any clue what was going on in the political world, at the time and 2. I wasn’t “qualified” based the minimal requirements I didn’t meet and was needed at the other radio station that didn’t hire me.
To make a very long story short.. I did get hired at the Political Talk radio station a few weeks later in August 2010. Overall, it was a great experience and I learned a lot about the industry. I worked with a wide variety of hosts on live/prerecorded shows involving financial advice, sports, medical advice, home repair, law advice, and even a weekly show dedicated to Frank Sinatra.. I booked guests.. I worked on live college/professional sporting events.. I created show facebook pages and helped hosts create Twitter accounts.. The list goes on but most important of all.. I started my career in the Radio Industry.
Thank you CBS Radio for giving a guy without an internship or any prior “real radio” experience a chance.
Here's a link to more CBS Radio history in detail: LINK
