Dead End Job To Nowhere?

[Radio]

As I sit at work on a Saturday night after being here for a good 14 hours, I am wondering if I'm on a dead end job to nowhere.

I work as a radio station programmer, and my job for the past 15 years has been to start-up new radio stations, get them "on the air" and properly staffed, and then move on to the next one.

These assignments can last anywhere from 6 to 24 months. As a result I have lived in 9 different states in those 15 years.

The pros over the years have been that I am doing something I truly enjoy, and that I never have bosses hovering over my shoulder. I am the boss from the time I get to the station until the day I leave for the next one. At one point I was also making lots of money, but that is no longer the case.

The cons have been the constant moving around. I never have had time to properly establish a solid relationship. I was married to the woman of my dreams for 4 years, but we ended up divorcing for the same reason. She could not take all the moving and the long hours.

For the past few months I have considered changing careers and moving to a place I really enjoy. Maybe becoming a regular person with a 9 to 5 job, and with Saturdays and Sundays off.

The problem is I am very afraid to take that step. I have been working in radio ever since I was 15 (I am 36 now). I have done nothing else, so I know nothing else. I never even graduated high school, and although I consider myself an educated man, employers prefer diplomas I hear.

Regular jobs in radio are very scarce, especially in year-round sunny and warm locations, so if I make this change, I will definitely have to change careers.

I also have no money. My divorce and a bad business deal where I attempted to operate my own radio station left me about $100k in debt....money that at this rate I will probably never be able to pay back with a regular job.

I guess I'm looking for a way out and into a better life, like perhaps millions of other Americans are.

Any guidance on taking that first step?

I don't have it as bad as many other people who have jobs they really hate, but I know there must be something out there better than this for me. Spending Saturday evening on a work trailer in the middle of a Montana desert and planning my Thanksgiving meal at a local Truck Stop Diner is not the life I really want.

[Dive Bomb]

Ahh an idea came to me reading your post. Seek out a university that needs help developing thier radio program. Preferrably a university located in a warm area. From reading your post, it seems like you have loads of experience. You can educate students about stuff like free form radio, how a radio station works, media operations, etc.

You've worked in the industry for 15 years, I don't think they will be too concerned with a diploma since your establishments would be enough to show how trained and experienced you are. Experience is the key word.

Maybe if you took some courses at community college you can speciliaze in a specific aspect about the media. Like say your study is Political Science. You can than teach about politics in the media, and how it affects democracy or something like that.

I hope this information helps you man. Like many will say after me, don't be afraid!

[hollowman]

Go for it, Radio! I like Dive Bomb's idea. It's definitely worth a good try.

I am sorry to hear your situation. I wish you all the best and good luck. Believe in prayer. Prayer works wonder for me.

[Master X]

Do what you feel is right.

[ixmatus]

As a poster above stated, experience is key. I like the idea of working for/with a University on their radio program - it would give you the added benefit of being around some young people too.

Atleast you know what you want, many people haven't even figured that out.

[Nick Hansen]

15 years radio experience! 15 YEARS!! That’s a long time matey. How many other people do you know that have 15 years radio experience? Leverage it!

You’ve got that advantage over everyone else in the industry. Not to mention you said that “…that I am doing something I truly enjoy…” I’d suggest you look into all your options, weight up all the possibilities and also get a job doing something 9-5 for a while and see if you could go back to having exact 30 minute lunch breaks and a boss hovering over your shoulder.

Best of luck mate, I hope you make a well informed and beneficial decision.

[kumarmg]

Hi,

Why dont you try EFT (emotional freedom techniques). Details are available at EFT Provides Impressive Health and Emotional Freedom--New Discovery Often Works Where Nothing Else

I have used it and found to be extremely useful.

GK