My letter about my interest in working at KISW

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JML101582
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14 Jul 2015, 1:59 pm

Here was my letter to my interest in a job position for my local radio station to KISW 99.9 FM in Seattle, WA:

I am highly interested in working for my favorite radio station in Seattle, KISW 99.9. I would like to start out as an intern because I want to work in a paid position in radio someday. Plus, I have infinite knowledge and love of the music genres of hard rock and heavy metal. I'm willing to learn more about the new bands on the scene as well as know more about my favorite bands and getting to know them as people. I would like to be one of the first people with on the autism spectrum to be working in radio since I have Asperger's Syndrome. Thank you for reading my letter and hopefully there will be jobs available for me at the radio station.

Jason Lundgren, 32
Mukilteo, WA



Tawaki
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14 Jul 2015, 10:59 pm

Take it for what it's worth...maybe you'll get lucky.

I have friends who work in radio.

What experience do you have? Do you have a valid drivers license? (Interns I know travel) How are your phone and people skills? Do you have contacts in venues where the radio station can set up remotes?

Can you do sales (which is what radio is all about)? Do you have board experience? Can you produce bumpers?

Do you have a degree or have DJed? Did you work in high school/college radio? Pirate radio? Short wave? Hamm?

Where I live radio is dying on a local level. Does this station have a local AM, noon and drive talent or are the shows produced somewhere else and fed through the station? If it is national, there isn't a burning need for interns inside the studio pick out music etc. It would be for sales and remote set ups.

If you have ANY radio or electronic experience, that should be front and center in your letter. If you are good setting up venues (like a DJ) that should be also front and center. Sales? If you are good at closing a deal, you might just get a real job.

Those will put you ahead of the zillion people with communications degrees. Everyone is willing to work for free in radio. I know people who are $50K in education debt and will do anything.

If you don't have a degree, but have previous radio experience, that might put you ahead. The two things that work against you is your age (all interns I know are young, like 21-25), and extremely social. You have to get along with everyone, from the talent, producers, front office and sales.

I would lose your age on the letter. The other thing to watch out is you aren't given a gig and become a butt of jokes on the morning zoo crew show.

For me, your lack of what you are bringing to the table is bigger issue than the Aspergers. Also, your age does you know favors. The interns I know are some of the most hyper social people on the planet.

You state should have a radio forum (mine does) board. I would go there and ask what it takes to be an intern in your job market.