Radio Today

For at least the last semester there has been a rule in place through Maryland that has lead to a decrease in opportunities among Virginia students. This rule was that Virginia residents could not receive college credit for any internship held in Maryland. While this does not seem like it would be too big of a set back for students due to the sheer number of internships and jobs available in the Northern Virginia area there was one profession that it caused undue stress, the world of radio. The reason that the radio students in Northern Virginia were troubled by this law is that many of the major studios in the area, DC 101, Hot 99.5, and Wash FM (97.1) are all stations that are based out of Laurel, Maryland. These stations are part of Clear Channel Media company and they will not give internships to students unless the student will receive credit for the job. So until recently any radio student in Virginia was unable to intern at any of these major companies, yet there is hope. Just within the past two weeks this law has been revoked and students can once again get credit for jobs in Maryland. This is an amazing development as Professor Smith from George Mason stated it “opens up opportunities for students to get experience at major stations” and “its a relief”. This recent revoking of the law means that the future is now much brighter for any student looking to get involved in radio who is studying in Northern Virginia.