Where will the next generation of broadcasters come from?
Here in Wisconsin, at the Young Professionals Committee of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, we are approaching that question with our new WBA Mentor Program.
Early response to this initiative has been fantastic. We have a list of broadcast professionals who are willing to mentor up-and-coming broadcasters throughout the state. Now, we need just one more thing … the rookies themselves.
We’re asking broadcasters throughout the state to nominate someone on their staff that’s fairly new to the broadcasting field, whom they believe would benefit from working with a mentor for the next year. We will select from the nominees the people that will be entered into this year’s program and partner them with a mentor. After which, we expect that mentors and “mentees” will be able to start communicating by this July.
Whether “newbies” are working on-air, in sales, promotions, etc., we have some great mentors (both radio and TV) with experience in all areas to help them grow in their fledgling careers. We’ll accept multiple nominees from stations. More than likely we can find someone that will give them great insights for their future!
Badger broadcasters should send their nominees, names and contact information, directly to me.
It’s important to invest in our newest and future employees. We’re confident that the WBA Mentor Program is going to be a great tool for building solid leaders for our industry’’ future.
We welcome other state broadcasting associations to start their own mentoring programs and we’d be interested in hearing from other associations if they have had similar programs or answering any questions that those interested in such a program may have.
JT Koser is an account executive with WKFX(FM)/Fox 99.1 in Rice Lake, Wis.
