Dreaming of your dream job at Radio 1? Passion for music is just the start

This week’s BBC Music Sound of 2017 is the latest annual music tips list aimed at showcasing the most exciting rising stars, and for the second year running its producer is Sarah Beaumont. Helping to talent-spot acts with world-class potential sounds like a dream job for music lovers. Sarah agrees, but as she outlines here, there is a lot more to landing a gig like this than an ear for the next big thing:

Sound of… needs a little explaining. Since 2003 it has gained a reputation as a democratic survey giving a glimpse into the way music is going and predicting some of the biggest acts in the world. Previous winners include Adele, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding, HAIM, Years & Years and last year, Jack Garratt.

The acts that appear on the Sound of… list are all hand-picked by a panel of impartial experts from the music industry. This year I invited 170 UK and international taste-makers to vote for their Sound of 2017.

The longlist (15 acts) was revealed last November and the shortlist (the top five acts within the 15) is being unveiled this week on Clara Amfo’s BBC Radio 1 show and on our website. If you love discovering new music I’d definitely recommend taking a look, as there are some exceptionally talented artists. Once again.

I’m running this project as a three-month producer ‘attachment’ (short BBC secondment) - the same one I had last year. That was such an amazing experience I thought I’d go for it a second time. Luckily I got the repeat booking.

How did I qualify? Well, my radio background was extremely varied. I’d worked in radio for… let’s say quite a few years (without revealing my age).

I started freelancing as a broadcast assistant at BBC Radio Manchester and then started to apply for attachments in network radio, including BBC Radio 4, Radio Drama, 6 Music and Radio 3. Even though I loved my time in those departments, my passion was to work full time in music radio, with my ultimate ambition being to get a job at Radio 1.

A few years ago I applied for a three-month attachment at BBC Radio 1Xtra and, even though it was a gamble moving down to London for a few months, with no guarantees, I was determined to make it a success. I worked really hard and, with persistence, I was offered a continuing contract with the department.

My time at 1Xtra was unforgettable - so much so I ended up staying there for five years, getting to produce some amazingly talented and passionate DJs and work on some wicked music programmes.

I also made some great friends, and I love the family atmosphere that 1Xtra creates: no matter who you are and where you’ve come from, everyone is made to feel welcome. I landed there straight from Radio 3 - quite a jump musically but no-one even raised an eyebrow.

From 1Xtra, I moved over to Radio 1 and worked across a broad range of shows. From editing quirky features for Nick Grimshaw on Breakfast to launching the brand new B. Traits dance show or securing Hollywood A-listers Margot Robbie and Will Smith for Scott Mill’s Playground Insultsgame, I’ve acquired a whole host of skills when it comes to producing radio content.

A particular highlight was getting the assistant producer gig on Fearne Cotton/Clara Amfo’s show - the home of Radio 1’s Live Lounge. Being able to see world greats perform in front of me was thrilling, of course, but I learned so much about the music industry too. I also became a member of the Radio 1 Playlist committee - a real privilege as you’re involved in the decision-making process on what music gets aired.

Like any job there are pros and cons to working in radio. You often have to be quite flexible and make sacrifices that can have an impact on your personal life. Depending on where you work and how often you change departments, shift patterns can alter drastically - from working a nine-five weekday job to weekends or late night/early morning shifts where you have to be in bed by 7pm and up at 3am.

But if you genuinely love your job and are passionate about what you do, those late nights/early mornings are worth it, because it doesn’t really feel like a job. You’re having the best time and working with some amazing people who feel just the same as you do.

A few words of advice for anyone who would like to get into a similar role: first and foremost have ‘passion’. OK, I know, it’s an overused word. But if you don’t have it then it’s not going to work and there will always be someone else waiting in the wings.

It’s a privilege to work for the BBC, but only the most hard-working people get out what they put in. You need drive, energy and commitment to succeed in a creative environment. Speaking of which, you need to bring your own creativity - loads of it! Have ideas and opinions and be willing to try things out. As they say, no idea is a bad idea.

People skills are also important. It takes teamwork to produce the best radio content and there’s also a lot of negotiating with PR companies and record labels for guests/material.

To work for a youth music station, you need to be across digital trends and consumer habits, as it’s not only the content itself you have to think about but which platform is going to get that content maximum exposure.

There’s a lot of audio editing involved, research to undertake, pitching of ideas etc. No day is ever the same - which is great because it keeps you on your toes.

Finally, it sounds simple but be nice to work with. Having worked at Radio 1 and 1Xtra for a few years now, I know they pride themselves on having strong teams and working relationships. Hand on heart, I can still say I have never worked with anyone I haven’t liked. That’s unusual.

From 9 January I’ll be starting a new job as producer in the combined Radio 1 & 1Xtra Music team, which I’m really looking forward to. But before I embark on that fresh challenge it’s back to the Sound of 2017.

This week is an especially busy one: ramping up to the winner’s announcement this coming Friday, 6 January. I’m going to be contacting as many publications/departments as I can to get maximum exposure for this year’s very worthy winner. Stay tuned for that.

I don’t think there’s another organisation that can have the impact the BBC does when it comes to championing new music, and I feel extremely lucky to work here. For anyone out there who loves music and broadcasting and thinks they have a strong enough work ethic, I would recommend it in a heartbeat.

Radio 1 and 1Xtra interns - Take it on

How to be a specialist music radio presenter

Nick Grimshaw: Radio 1 team assistant for a day

Behind the scenes in the Radio 1 Live Lounge