Recently, Participant Logan visited the Triple M and SAFM studios to gain a behind-the-scenes look at the radio industry and to explore potential career pathways.

You may recognise Logan from his visit to Channel Seven Adelaide a couple months ago. As part of his Customised Employment Discovery phase, Logan has been exploring different areas of the media industry to better understand where his interests, strengths, and future career goals align.

Throughout the visit to the radio station, Logan experienced how a live radio station operates and spoke with staff across different departments on their day-to-day jobs and their career pathways into radio.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗼𝗼, 𝗗𝗶𝘁𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝘇
To start the day off, Logan observed the final part of the Triple M breakfast show with Roo, Ditts and Loz. Standing in the studio while the team recorded and broadcast live allowed Logan to observe the soundproof rooms, intercom systems and collaborative coordination required to deliver the program.

To understand possible entry pathways, Logan asked Loz and Chris, “How did you come to work here?” Loz explained that she had worked for the ABC’s Behind the News and at smaller radio stations, where she developed industry skills and professional networks before joining Triple M. Chris described his transition from professional squash player to sports presenter at Channel 7 and then to radio. Their experiences demonstrated that media careers can develop through varied pathways and transferable skills.

Logan also asked, “What is the most rewarding aspect of working at the radio station?” Loz and Chris said they valued bringing their personalities to radio, sharing ideas and opinions with the community, and building confidence through regular communication. This encouraged Logan to reflect on how communication, creativity and teamwork align with his own vocational interests.

Throughout the conversation, Logan also learned that breakfast-show staff generally begin between 4:30 am and 5:00 am and often finish by mid-morning. External meetings, promotional events, podcast recordings and preparation for the following day can extend the workday until lunchtime or later.

In response to Logan’s question, “What do you find challenging about your role?” the presenters explained that callers can be unpredictable and that staff must follow established procedures for managing inappropriate callers, competition entries and prize allocation.

After the broadcast, Logan reviewed the morning run sheet, provided by the Creative Director the day before a broadcast.

Overall, the chat and observation gave Logan greater understanding of the daily routines, time management and process in the radio industry.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗮𝗺
The second part of Logan's visit involved spending time with producer, composer, and sound designer, Sam, to learn more about the creative side of radio.

Logan spoke with Sam about his career journey, learning that he studied music technology because it aligned with his interest in music production, which he continues alongside his role at Triple M. Sam also volunteered at smaller community radio stations, gaining practical experience with industry systems and equipment. This showed Logan how personal interests can be developed into vocational skills and how study, volunteering and experience can create pathways into paid employment.

During the chat, Logan asked, “What has your career journey involved?” Sam explained that he has worked at Triple M for approximately 19 years after beginning his music career in a band. Seeking a more stable income for himself and his family, he transitioned into radio while continuing to apply his creative and technical strengths by composing and producing music for television programs and brands. His experience gave Logan an example of how creative interests and transferable skills can lead to employment across different media roles.

In response to “What do you find challenging about your role?” Sam described the mental demands of spending extended periods in a soundproof room editing audio and producing pre-recorded podcasts for the website and app. He also prepares recorded content for the following morning’s broadcast, and early starts can be difficult until a consistent routine is established.

Logan also asked how the station operated during COVID-19. Sam explained that radio staff were considered essential workers, many employees received equipment packages to work from home, onsite numbers were limited and substantial content was pre-recorded remotely. When Logan asked what would happen during a power outage, Sam said he believed the station had a backup generator and explained that an emergency playlist is pre-recorded and updated every five years. These discussions broadened Logan’s understanding of flexible work arrangements, workplace adjustments and business-continuity planning.

𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗻
As part of his visit, Logan also spent time with Triple M's morning announcer and operations assistant, Keegan, to learn more about the planning and coordination behind a workday program and radio broadcast.

During the chat, Keegan demonstrated and explained the studio equipment and its functions. He explained how many of his on-air segments are pre-recorded in short blocks before being scheduled throughout the day's programming. With permission, Logan recorded a video so he could revisit the information in a way that suited his learning preferences.

When Logan asked, “What is the team culture like?” Keegan described it as positive and collaborative. The recording studio is located near his operations desk, enabling him to move efficiently between the responsibilities of his two roles.

Logan also asked, “Would you recommend this job?” Keegan strongly recommended the industry. In response to the related question, “How did you come to work here?” he explained that he studied at TAFE and a media school in Sydney before working in community radio in Dubbo, New South Wales, and Mackay, Queensland. Although he could have remained in one location and progressed through different roles, he chose to relocate to find a position and workplace that suited him. He has held his current role since October 2025. This helped Logan consider how study, mobility, personal preferences and practical experience can shape an employment pathway.

Keegan then explained that most of his spoken segments are pre-recorded in blocks of approximately 30 seconds. Although segments can be delivered live, pre-recording allows them to be positioned accurately within the schedule. Music is selected by a Music Director in Sydney and uploaded to the station’s systems. This gave Logan practical insight into script timing, content planning and coordination across announcing and creative-direction roles.

Keegan begins early in the morning and finishes in the early afternoon. He values the variety created by working across two roles, particularly the operations role because it strengthens his knowledge of behind-the-scenes processes, workplace procedures and technical systems. When Logan asked, “What do you find challenging about your role?” the discussion highlighted the need to manage early starts, precise timing and competing responsibilities while keeping reliable on-air delivery.

This chat gave Logan insight into script timing, content planning and coordination across announcing and creative-direction roles.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗮
Logan's visit to the Triple M and SAFM studios concluded with a station tour and a conversation with Triple M's Agency Coordinator, Tara.

Throughout the tour, Logan learned that Tara works Monday to Friday and generally works from home two or three days each week, depending on operational requirements. Her hours are flexible: Tara usually starts early, while another team member covers the afternoon shift. This demonstrated how flexible work arrangements, shared responsibilities and workplace adjustments can support individual needs and sustainable participation.

Tara then explained her role as Agency Coordinator. He learned that she coordinates promotional and advertising activities, reviews applications, organises bookings and allocates recording-booth time for clients producing advertisements. This broadened his awareness of behind-the-scenes media roles and allowed him to compare these responsibilities with his interests in communication, journalism and creative direction.

When Logan asked, “How many departments are involved in running a radio station?” he learned that multiple teams contribute to daily broadcasting, content production, advertising, operations and audience engagement. He also observed that Triple M and SAFM share the site and that Channel 7 uses designated office and recording spaces. This expanded his understanding of how media teams collaborate and of the range of roles and workplace environments available across the industry.

Through his conversation with Tara, Logan identified the workplace as supportive and welcoming, with respectful communication and a positive, inclusive culture. He recognised that strong workplace relationships and natural supports can build confidence, encourage participation and contribute to sustainable employment.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗴𝗮𝗻?
Overall, this experience introduced Logan to another side of the media industry and broadened his understanding of the diverse career opportunities available behind the scenes. It also gave him the chance to compare these responsibilities with his own interests in communication, journalism, and creative direction.

He identified acting, creative direction and journalism as areas he would like to explore further. Logan also spoke about potential next steps, including researching relevant TAFE courses, exploring volunteering or work experience, building industry connections and developing his scriptwriting and audio production skills.

"𝘐 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦." - Logan

"𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘓𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴-𝘰𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘐𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦." – Jhane, Logan’s Employment Coach

Our team will continue to support Logan to explore potential careers options and pathways through Customised Employment.