Student Opportunities at Indiana Public Radio

The Role of Students at IPR

Ball State students have always been a part of Indiana Public Radio – or WBST. In fact, students operated the station in the early 1960s when WBST-FM (the flagship station of the Indiana Public Radio network) first went on the air. When WBST became a National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate in 1980, a full-time professional staff was developed to serve the growing audience in east central Indiana. However, students continued to gather and produce award-winning news and run the audio consoles.

Literally hundreds of students have come through our doors, and many have gone on to be leaders in their professions. Among our former student employees are: Heather Herron, nightly news anchor at WANE-TV, Fort Wayne; Vince Welch, Indianapolis sportscaster; Ray Pearson, senior executive at ICOMM Consulting, Oak Park, IL; Brent Miller, classical music host at WICR-FM, Indianapolis; Peter Davis, Ball State University English instructor; John Althardt, Public Relations Coordinator, Marion County Health and Hospital Corporation; Brian Halberstadt, television news producer in Dayton, Ohio; Al Rent, Director of Marketing for Ball State University; and David Letterman, late-night talk show host on national television.

Today, Indiana Public Radio has five transmitters serving a potential audience of half a million people in more than a dozen counties in east central Indiana and western Ohio. Throughout its long and distinguished history, IPR has remained true to its mission "to inform and entertain" with its dual format of news and classical music. The station has been recognized for its efforts with dozens of awards from professional organizations such as the Radio and Television News Directors Association (RTNDA), the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Associated Press.

What does IPR have to offer you?

Are you interested in a work environment where professional training and high standards are equally prized? Do you have something to contribute to Indiana Public Radio? Then we may have the student job experience that will benefit you. Here is some general information, including job descriptions, for all prospective student employees:

General information

1. A job at Indiana Public Radio is not an ordinary campus job. IPR is a real, professional radio station that happens to be located on the campus of Ball State University. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (even when classes are not in session). Although we understand that our student staff often needs to take a certain amount of time off, we may give preference to prospective student employees who are able to work year-round.

2. You don't have to be planning a broadcast career or be a T-Com major to seek experience at Indiana Public Radio. Our students represent almost every academic discipline offered by Ball State. However, one of the advantages of working at IPR is the fact that you are gaining professional experience alongside professionals. Our station is highly regarded in the community and has received numerous prestigious awards. Professional staff members manage the station with the assistance of student employees. (Course credit is available for many of the positions outlined below. To get course credit, you should apply through the appropriate departments.)

3. Our first responsibility is to an affluent, well-educated audience—a large number of whom are college professors who support IPR with their dollars because they appreciate the high quality of the programming we offer. Although we encourage students to get involved with IPR, we want you to know up front that we have to be highly selective in our hiring practices.

4. We will list any open, paid positions with the BSU Career Center, but even if no paid positions are currently open, you can still get valuable experience as an IPR volunteer. Volunteers often get the same professional opportunities as the paid students, and well-positioned to apply for a paid position when one becomes available.

5. What IPR is NOT:
· IPR is not a place that has "dee-jays"
· it is not a rock and roll station where students have their own shows
· it is not a place where students are directly involved in station management.
For these kinds of opportunities, you should look into Ball State's other radio station, WCRD.

6. What IPR IS:
· a professional broadcast facility with volunteer as well as paid student opportunities;
· a real-life business where students are involved in the day-to-day delivery of syndicated programming from NPR and local news from IPR;
· a place for students to write and produce creative promos;
· a place to gain professional announcing experience;
· a philanthropic organization where students can learn about non-profit fundraising in the arts; and
· a place where the intellectual student can find like-minded co-workers and still have a lot of fun.

General Qualifications for All Jobs
· Knowledge of and/or appreciation for classical music, as well as NPR programs like Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Car Talk, and programs from PRI like A Prairie Home Companion.
· Ability to represent yourself, the station, and Ball State University in a professional, mature manner, both verbally and in writing.
· Ability to demonstrate that you are well-organized and self-motivated.

- Ability to work unsupervised during odd hours such as late nights, early mornings, and weekends.
· Ability to work some University breaks such as summer, fall break, Christmas break, spring break, etc.
· Basic computing skills such as email, word processing, spreadsheets, and a certain knack for picking up new technology quickly.
· Ability to work well under deadline pressure, cope with normal office stress, and be flexible with fluctuating work hours and assignments.

Specific Student Positions
(We often use more than one student for each position.)

Announcer/Board Operator (5 to 10 hours per week)

Duties: Announce weather, PSAs, promos and ID, either live on the air or through computer-recorded voicetracks. Operate main broadcast console for live shifts or special events. Play promos and other elements on the air. Monitor weather and wire services for immediate bulletins.

Qualifications: Pleasant, mature speaking voice; self-confidence with technology; ability to communicate to an affluent audience; knowledge of computers - broadcast automation experience preferred, background in radio, speech, English, theatre or classical music helpful.

To apply: Contact Production Manager Brian Eckstein for an application and audition: 285-5891 or beckstein@bsu.edu.

Production Assistant (Hours Vary)

Duties: Assist Production Manager with archiving, promo production, and other special events.

Qualifications: Knowledge of digital editing software preferred, knowledge of word processing and spreadsheets, good organizational skills, ability to work evenings. Preference may be given to individuals who are already trained board operators. Background in audio production or music engineering.

To apply: Contact Production Manager Brian Eckstein for an application: 285-5891 or beckstein@bsu.edu.

News Reporter (5 to 10 hours per week)

Duties: Gather news stories in the field, particularly to cover meetings and events in our listening area. Write and/or produce stories for air. Assist with special programs like election coverage or call-in shows.

Qualifications: Interest and/or background in broadcast journalism. Proven ability to interview and write radio news. Must be detail-oriented and punctual. Willingness to interact with the public in a professional manner and dress appropriately. A valid driver's license and own vehicle desirable. Willingness to work late evenings and weekends.

To apply: Contact News Director Terry Heifetz for an appointment: 285-5888 or tjheifetz@bsu.edu.

Weekend News Anchor (5 to 10 hours per week)

Duties: Read news live on the air on weekend mornings. Operate broadcast equipment. Fulfill light production duties. Monitor weather and wire services for late-breaking information.

Qualifications: Experienced public speaker, good news writing skills, previous radio news anchoring experience preferred. Ability to work early mornings.

To apply: Contact News Director Terry Heifetz: 285-5888 or tjheifetz@bsu.edu.

Arts Reporter/Producer (5 to 10 hours per week)

Duties: Cover, write, and produce stories related to the fine arts in our listening area.

Qualifications: Interest in and/or experience with the artistic community, ability to write and speak professionally. Experience in digital editing preferred.

To apply: Contact Senior Producer Marcus Jackman: 285-4127 or mjackman@bsu.edu

Production Assistant / Reporter (Up to 10 hours) New

Duties: Assist in the research, reporting, writing and production of a weekly, 10-minute program focusing on the arts. Duties will also include assisting in the archiving of program materials and interacting with a variety of artists. You must be able to work by a strict deadline.

Hours:Flexible with your class schedule, although one month training period must take place during normal business hours. Up to 10 hours a week of work during school sessions; possibly up to 20 when school is out, as you are available.

Qualifications:

Required: Valid driver’s license, ability to carry up to 20 pounds of recording gear, clear speaking voice, willingness to remain in or near Muncie for majority of the summer.

Desired: Demonstrated interest or involvement in the arts, professional demeanor, previous experience with storytelling, journalism, or audio editing.

To apply: Contact Senior Producer Marcus Jackman: 285-4127 or mjackman@bsu.edu

Morning News Desk Assistant (5 to 10 hours per week)

Duties: Assist morning host with beat calls, scanner monitoring, and broadcast preparation. Assist with school closing and severe weather information in morning drive. Monitor wire and weather services for breaking information.

Qualifications: Willingness to work early weekday mornings. Good organizational skills. Professional phone skills. Ability to write for broadcast.

To apply: contact Morning Edition host Stan Sollars: 285-8513 or ssollars@bsu.edu.

Receptionist (5 to 10 hours per week)

Duties: Serve as IPR's representative to the outside world both over the phone and in-person. Greet station visitors, field questions and comments from listeners. Take and deliver messages for staff. Run light errands around campus.

Qualifications: Professional and friendly phone demeanor. Willingness to dress professionally. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to follow directions clearly. Previous office management, clerical or secretarial skills desired.

To apply: contact Office Manager Dorothy Marvell: 285-5888 or dmarvell@bsu.edu.

Membership Assistant (5 to 10 hours per week)

Duties: Assist Member Services department with on-air fundraising operations, data entry, packing and shipping, phone follow-ups, filing, errands, and general office duties.

Qualifications: Knowledge of spreadsheets and computer data entry, pleasant phone demeanor, ability to lift and transport light-to-moderate weight items. Valid driver's license and own vehicle desired.

To apply: Contact Member Services Manager Roslyn Modzelewski: 285-5888 or rmodzelewski@bsu.edu.

Outreach Assistant: (5 to 10 hours per week)

Duties: Assist with writing the station's monthly program guide; interact with various agencies to help promote the station; collect, sort and write public service announcements for broadcast; assist with grants; write for the Web; and special projects. This position involves a great deal of writing and is particularly applicable to Journalism students needing a credit for an internship. However, the position of Outreach Assistant may be unpaid.

Qualifications: Excellent organizational skills, good oral and written communication skills, ability to write broadcast promo and PSA copy. Background in public relations desirable.

To apply: Contact Outreach Coordinator Carol Trimmer: 285-5887 or ctrimmer@bsu.edu.

Indiana Public Radio is an equal-opportunity employer and actively seeks diversity in the workplace.

Ball State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution in accordance with Civil Rights legislation and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran in any of its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies.