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“So, what is a Mentor, and why do I need one?”
A mentor for students is an experienced and trusted guide who offers personal support, and career direction to help you succeed.
Unlike your “academic advisor” who helps schedule classes, a mentor builds a personal relationship with you during the school year. They share real-world experience, listen to career-orientated concerns, and help unlock your full potential for a potential career in broadcasting.
At some point, college will be over. Your mentor will help you with your career development by sharing insights into specific jobs, media companies, help you develop your brand, and possibly guide you towards an internship. Your mentor will also help you network. Connecting you with radio and media companies is key PRIOR to graduating.
“Who will be my Mentor?”
If accepted into the program, you will be matched with a Georgia broadcasting professional.
When you filled out your application, you listed your interests. We do the same process for mentors. We try to match up with a mentor with similar experiences in the career you may want to pursue.
Our mentors have many years of experience in broadcasting and, no matter what you decide to do after graduation, (even if it is not in radio or media) your mentor will help you build a better understanding of the work world.
“Ok that sounds good. How many times do we meet?
I have a full class load and a job,
so I don’t know my schedule.”
The expectation of the program is straight forward. You will set up two calls a month via Zoom or Teams (by phone if necessary) with each lasting about 30 minutes. During the school year you will also be required to visit your mentor at their place of work.
Communication is KEY during the program. Your mentor, like you, has a busy schedule. You will receive each other’s contact information, and it is up to you, as the mentee, to contact your mentor to schedule your meetings.
Please note, in the working world, all companies use email or the phone to communicate. Eventually (depending on your relationship with your mentor) you might use text if you choose. Also, you should use your personal email vs. your college email, just as you would on your resume.
“What will we talk about during the 30-minute calls?”
I’m glad you asked! Your first call will allow you to get to know each other. You will be given the LinkedIn profile of your mentor. Before you meet, research your Mentor via LinkedIn and learn about their current company or previous experience during their careers. Remember there are “no bad” questions so use this opportunity to gain experience. Over the months, you can learn important lessons such as interviewing, landing your first job, how to communicate with a manager, and most important, from mistakes they may have made along the way (we learn from our mistakes!).
The following page covers the types of questions you should ask your mentor and questions your mentor may ask you!
“So just like my grades in school, learning about the media businesses is important so I can understand or maybe find a job. But I don’t know where to look?”
Fantastic question! You get extra credit for this one. No matter if you are interested in programming, creating your brand as an on air/ online talent, marketing, promotions, sales, engineering, or anything digital, there are many daily online, free publications with just one click. We don’t expect you to understand everything you read. This is where your mentor comes in. They can help you learn about business. Again, this is the time to learn. Many of the below offer weekly newsletters sent to, you guessed it, your email.
Great information about our national radio industry
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Information about Technical and Engineering
Great information about our Georgia Broadcast community
www.gab.org -The Georgia Association of Broadcasters is our statewide broadcasting association for Radio/TV.
www.friendsofgeorgiaradio.org Make sure you sign up for our newsletters (hint, jobs are listed).
For podcasting:
https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/
For marketing/ advertising:
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For Digital
General Trade Newsletters mostly for, and About Air Personalities:
https://www.themorningmouth.net/
https://menu.radio-online.com/content/frontpage
For Country Radio Personalities
For Talk Radio and NewsRadio Personalities
Other Mentorship Programs/ Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio:
Internship Programs
Atlanta Stations with some form of internships:
WABE (Public radio)
WCNN ‘680 The Fan” (Sports radio)
Worthwhile Seminars, Learning, and Networking Opportunities
GAB “Futures” at annual GABCon Convention-yearly in September
GAB Radio Talent Institute — 1 week, yearly
“I have heard the word “networking,” but I am not sure what it means? I’m also kind of shy so sometimes it is hard for me to meet people.”
Don’t worry, it is ok! Yep, again, this is where your mentor comes in. You probably have been networking already and just don’t know it. Have you been involved with any clubs at school or organizations? How did you get to know everyone in the organization? During one of your calls with your mentor, talk through the information listed below.
“How do I network?”
Don’t worry, it is ok! Yep, again, this is where your mentor comes in. You probably have been networking already and just don’t know it. Have you been involved with any clubs at school or organizations? How did you get to know everyone in the organization? During one of your calls with your mentor, talk through the information listed below.
Start with Your existing circle of people you may already know
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Make a list of past colleagues, friends, family, and former classmates.
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Tell them specifically what type of work or industry you are targeting.
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Ask if they know anyone working in that field who might share insights.
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If there is a professor already teaching a class you haven’t taken, go meet them and introduce yourself.
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Your professors have networks too…and they will help you, if you ask!
Connect on Professional Platforms
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Update your LinkedIn profile (with your mentor’s help) with a clear headline and summary of your skills.
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Engage with posts from people at your target companies before sending a direct message.
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Personalize every request by mentioning a shared background, mutual connection, or an article they wrote.
Request for Informational Interviews
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Ask for a short, 15-to-20-minute chat to learn about their career path, not for an open position. If you are able during Winter break, ask to shadow them at work.
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Prepare two or three specific questions about their industry or team (just like the ones you will use on the first meeting with your mentor).
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Listen actively and let them do most of the talking.
Go to events from the Georgia Association of Broadcasters or the Friends of Georgia Radio. They are all listed on their websites and often in social media
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When you go, initiate conversations by asking a thoughtful question or offering a genuine compliment.
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Exchange contact info and connect online within 24 hours via LinkedIn.
Nurture the Relationship
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Send a quick thank-you note following any conversation or meeting.
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Share an interesting article or congratulate them when they achieve a career milestone.
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Offer your own help or expertise if a need arises for them.
“Are there any scholarships right now I can apply for to help with my college bills?”
Yes, two statewide scholarship opportunities happen every year. In November, the Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB) invites college students interested in a career in broadcasting to apply for several scholarships that they award each year (more details can be found at E. Lanier Finch Scholarship – Georgia Association of Broadcasters ).
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The Friends of Georgia Radio also awards five scholarships each year to college students who express an interest in the audio field. The call for applications happens each March and the award winners are invited to the annual Georgia Radio Hall of Fame Gala held in August (more details can be found at Apply for scholarship | Friends of Ga Radio ).