RMIT Symposium | Media is...

I'm writing a paper to present at the RMIT Media is... symposium in Sorrento. At the moment I'm thinking of writing about this business of working for two different institutions at the same time resonates with me. Below is a working abstract.

“Serving Two Masters”

How can we smooth the transition for emerging radio practitioners between undergraduate education and entry-level industry positions?

In an environment where public and commercial radio industries are providing fewer training programs and early career opportunities, it is increasingly difficult for emerging producers to gain the vital ‘local knowledge’, professional networks, field experience and ‘runs on the board’ they need to kick-start their careers at an intermediate level.

In the long term tertiary education and industry need to co-produce training/education programs that reflect the changing structure of the radio sector.

In the immediate future higher education can help fill this learning gap by collaborating with industry to develop and deliver projects that generate both an acceptable broadcast product and a sound educational outcome. Such projects can give students a tangible working experience and radio credits with the level the support and mentoring they need to transition successfully.

In this paper I will examine the ‘The Night Air Project (pilot)’ as a case study for implementing and delivering cross-industry projects. I will discuss implementation, design and delivery and focus on issues surrounding ‘serving two masters’; integrating the needs and requirement of two sectors with very different concerns, aims, cultures and discourse.