© 2024 WSIU Public Broadcasting
WSIU Public Broadcasting
Member-Supported Public Media from Southern Illinois University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Student and community volunteers play a vital role in helping the WSIU stations to fulfill our academic and public service missions. Volunteering at WSIU offers you a great opportunity to make new friends while learning more about the broadcasting industry. There are many volunteer options from which to choose: production and operations assistants, membership assistants, readers for the Southern Illinois Radio Information Service (SIRIS), pledge drive phone volunteers, on-air talent, and more.


| Radio Opportunities

Assistants

Operations Assistants and Production Assistants assist employees in the day-to-day operations of WSIU Radio. Volunteering in these areas can lead to paid student work positions if you are a full-time SIUC student. You may also be eligible to earn an independent study credit in the Radio-Television department. See a Radio-Television adviser for more details.

Board Operator

Board operators run FM programming over the air for the station on the master control board using a variety of audio equipment, including a digital automation system. They monitor the on-air sound, take transmitter meter readings, and handle any severe weather. It’s like being a radio disc jockey without all the on-air work. You would be trained on all the equipment that it takes to run the station. No experience at all is necessary. Volunteers do at least one shift a week and the shift can last anywhere from one hour to four hours. Shifts are available during all times of the week and day. It’s a lot of fun to be in control of a radio station, and it’s great resume experience if you ever wanted to work in broadcasting, or wanted a second job. Board operators are needed at all radio stations. If you are interested in this type of work, please contact us by phone at (618) 453-4344.

Operations

Responsibilities include assisting the operations manager in making sure all programs being fed over the content depot distribution system come down and are checked on a weekly/daily basis. They also do some digital editing and computer automation work. The schedule for this type of work is variable, depending on when you are available will determine what you would be responsible for. Operations assistants may also be responsible for assisting with remote recordings at different venues as needed. If you are interested in this type of work, please contact Jeff Williams by phone at (618) 453-6170.

Production

Do light voice/production work, or help in the recording of some of our locally produced shows. Duties may include writing, voicing, and producing a variety of local promos, underwriter announcements, etc. To ensure on-air sound quality an audition is necessary for the selection of production assistants who do on-air work. Production assistants may also help in remote recordings at different venues. If you are interested in this type of work, please contact Jeff Williams by phone at (618) 453-6170.

Library

We are looking for someone to assist in keeping the FM library in order. We also need people to assist in entering music CDs into the new database. Please contact us at (618) 453-4344.

SIRIS Readers

The Southern Illinois Radio Information Service (SIRIS) is staffed by volunteers who read and record regional newspapers daily Monday through Friday. These recordings are broadcast for the blind and print impaired on a side band of our station. SIRIS is located at 1003 S. Oakland. Contact Jeff Williams by phone at (618) 453-6170 for more information about how to get involved.

Pledge

We of course need pledge phone volunteers to help out during our pledge drives, answering phones and taking pledges from members of WSIU FM. Contact us at (618) 453-4344.


| Television Opportunities

Post Production

Post production is responsible for the editing of programs, promos, and other content aired on WSIU TV. Non-linear equipment includes Final Cut Pro editing system working with Beta and DVCam videotape decks, After Effects, Photoshop, and other computer software used in Non-Linear editing. Interested individuals must be dedicated, hardworking, willing to learn new things, and most of all show up for work. This is an excellent opportunity to get valuable hands on experience at a real working television station and build your resume reel. For additional information, contact Steve North by phone at (618) 453-6189.

Production Crew

You can become part of the WSIU TV Production Crew to volunteer in various capacities from camera operator to floor director to audio mixer. Productions are scheduled at various times throughout the week in our studio – and occasionally at remote locations. For additional information, contact Abby Asher by phone at (618) 453-5888.

Master Control Operator

The Master Control Operator (MCO) is in charge of making sure that the right programming material is put on the air at the right time. The MCO is responsible for (among other things) displaying programming our primary (and soon our two additional) television streams, performing quality control on recorded programs and the operation of broadcast equipment such as videotape machines, character generators and traffic controllers. For additional information, contact Jim Eagelston by phone at (618) 453-6133.


| Community Engagement & Education Opportunities

Various ongoing and special event opportunities are available for volunteers who are interested in WSIU’s education and community engagement services. We interact with teachers, parents, and children in libraries, schools, and community programs on a year-round basis.

Volunteers will learn about regional culture while bringing PBS KIDS online mobile games, reading, math, science, and arts content to families during site visits around the region in the WSIU Outreach Van. Photography and video production opportunities are available. Screening and discussion facilitators are needed for WSIU’s Community Cinema series (shown on right) of social justice films. Performance opportunities in PBS KIDS character costumes, such as Cat in the Hat and Super Why, are available. Saluki Volunteers and Registered Student Organizations are welcome! Orientation is required.