Behind the Mic: Radio and Broadcasting Skills Training is a curriculum developed by the Lussier Community Education Center that will introduce select youth on the west side of Madison to the basic skills needed to enter the workforce, and more specifically, the music industry. Through focused and intensive learning units, young people will spend time developing soft skills like communicating effectively, how to nail an interview, and the steps for planning for their future. The remaining units of this course will teach the hard skills needed to break into the music industry like audio engineering, marketing, and DJing.

Behind the Mic provides a jump start into employability and entrepreneurship, and more importantly, lays the foundation for increased self-worth and confidence in youth. 

This course will follow along with the podcast. Led by our radio station manager and the amazing volunteers powering this work, participants will develop these skills in tandem with the podcast, using that content to practice what they have learned. By the end of this training course, youth will have prepared real podcast materials they can take with them to whatever next step they have planned.

Curriculum (subject to slightly change):

WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION AND STUDIO BASICS

WEEK 2: INTERVIEWING

WEEK 3: AUDIO ENGINEERING

WEEK 4: COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION

WEEK 5: DJing

WEEK 6: MARKETING

WEEK 7: SOCIAL MEDIA and CONTENT CREATION

WEEK 8: PLANNING YOUR FUTURE

WEEK 9: CONTENT EDITING AND PUBLISHING

WEEK 10: WRAPPING IT UP

Guidelines:

• Everyone will participate in class activities.
• The expectation is that you are here to learn.
  
• When another individual has the floor, be courteous and respectful.
• Classes should be interrupted for emergencies only.
• No cell phones or electronic communications are allowed during class.
  
• Breaks will be provided. However, if you need to use the restroom other than at designated breaks, please leave the room quietly and return promptly.
• Food is allowed; however, we ask that you please minimize the noise from wrappers, chewing, etc.
• It is expected that you come prepared and ready to learn for every class.
• Everyone’s opinion counts, and all class members need an equal opportunity to discuss issues and raise questions.
• Remain open-minded; consider all options and “keep it simple”.
• During in-class exercises, solicit opinions from others.
• Attack an issue, not a person:
• Personal criticism and character attacks of others are inappropriate behavior.
  
• Remain loyal to those not in your presence.
  
• Confidentiality is honored, when requested.
• During class and in-class exercises, keep discussion to task at hand.
• Stay focused, listen, ask relevant questions.