Follow your dream and you will have no regrets

At your favourite radio station, someone plans and coordinates the programming; he/she manages programme resources including the personnel. His title is Programmes Manager. At times he doubles as the business development manager. He or she is basically the behind-the-scenes boss at a radio station. If that radio station is Flash FM then Jesse Maxella Kiyingi is that person. Education Times’s Collins Mwai talked to him about his career Briefly give us a description of your duties and responsibilities at work. As a programmes and business development manager, I look at what we have to communicate, how effective it will be, what impact it will have on our society and content direction. I also monitor the programming to ensure it has a positive impact on our revenue pool. I am in the creativity department too. Evaluation of staff and talent development is also under my department. I also do host some programmes myself. What training does one require to make it to this kind of career position? Anyone can end up in the radio business as long as he or she knows basic communication skills and is ready to work hard. Personally I studied Economics at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda.I began my radio career in high school. What makes the difference is in how much open you are to learning, how well you adapt to change and the passion to deliver radio content that people can fall in love with. I acquired some experience while working with NTV Uganda, Power FM and Uganda Telecom.What are the best moments in this job?I love every bit of my job. I love it when my job wins me a real friend; a client that turns around the wellness of the business. It is also a good feeling being at the centre of new things as they happen. My job keeps me feeling younger and well informed as much as it gives me a feeling that I am adding a positive contribution to the world through my work.What are the emerging trends in this line of work? Today, radio presentation can be done anywhere, with gadgets like Comrex, you have real time interviews out of the studio. The competition has also heighted especially with other media and forms of entertainment; TV, social media, ipods and such. A radio personality today has to incorporate more than just information but a personality that wins over the audiences.Any low moments or challenges? When you know what should be done and the conditions don’t allow you to make it happen. That feeling of hopelessness yet those listening in expect perfect delivery at all times. What is the chain of command like? In my position at Flash FM, we have a simple hierarchy. The CEO is at the top, I follow him in hierarchy. Together with the News Manager we run operations with a team of talented and dedicated personnel in different positions. How does one advance to higher levels in this line of work? Is it by experience or by further studies?In the radio business, promotions are basically a result of skills, level of creativity and originality as well as the power to attract listeners. This of course comes with some level of experience and personal development. A guy working at a gas station can step into the studios and do far better than a Masters Degree holder. Further education can only be a plus especially at the management level. How many hours a day does a Programmes Manager have to put it in daily? Programmes management involves long working hours. Personally I am workaholic; I put in about 15 hours on an average day. What other benefits do you derive from your job?I get to meet a lot of interesting people and have access to a lot of information. What advice would you give to younger people interested in this career? If you have dreamt and want it, get in and dare to be. I began my radio career in high school and to this day I have no regrets for choosing this career. It pays my bills and I am comfortable with the way things are.