A Day in the Life of a DJ/Mentor

Considering broadcasting school for a future career as a DJ? Unlike actors, doctors, or lawyers, most people don't have a concrete idea of what it's really like to be a DJ. Although most recognize the essential music-playing part of the job, most DJs do more than just twirl the knobs and cue up the next song on the playlist.

While you might even think you have a good idea of what the typical DJ goes through every day, what about DJ who's also a broadcasting school mentor? Take a look at a day in the life of a typical DJ/mentor:

10 a.m.: Get up, grab broadcasting school materials, head into the station. Start thinking about the playlist for the day.

10:30: Arrive at station, take over from morning DJ. Cue up three or four songs to get self in the mood for musical goodness all day long. Scan gossip sites on the internet for between-song banter, and news sites for between-song news updates. Script out a few things to say.

11:30: Song request hour. Take calls, play songs for callers, make brief conversation with some. Deliver shout-outs as requested, and possibly break up with someone's boyfriend on their behalf on the air. Ouch.

12:30: Request hour over, time to eat. Lunch meeting with station head about upcoming band interview. Conclusion: don't ask questions about band members' love lives. Make note to brush up on latest trivia just in case one of them brings it up.

1:30: Back to work. Take moment to appreciate well-earned prime schedule, the reward of a year of covering the graveyard shift and playing metal all night long.

5:00: Broadcasting school student arrives. Let student listen in and read one of the between-song news updates. Help student compose a news item of their own. Cue up last songs on the playlist. Invite student to sit in on band interview next week.

5:30: Shift over. Stay at the station to go over broadcasting school homework with student. Listen to tapes, offer suggestions on how student could improve. Go over next week's lesson, offer personal anecdotes on interviewing in preparation for student's participation in next week's interview. Discuss potential interview questions with student. Relay information from station head on how to approach personal questions.

6:00: Lesson finished. Offer to take broadcasting school student along to concert for the station. Once there, give student fliers to hand out, hand them the microphone to get the crowd ready. Praise student's successful riling of the crowd.

8:00: Attend concert. Explain to student that these are the perks that come along with a DJ job once you finish broadcasting school. Rejoice.