You just can’t make this stuff up.
MyPlan.com has quantified it.
Nearly 14,000 respondents weighed in about job satisfaction with their current occupations. Of 300 different occupations, “program director” (radio or TV) comes in at…
…299!
I hate to leave you with this news going into a weekend, but c’mon!
Only mail clerks and mail machine operators (excluding the U.S.P.S.) come in at a lower happiness rate.
In the same vicinity as PDs are municipal clerks, food preparation and serving workers (not fast food), maids and housekeepers, and hotel desk clerks.
What drives all this job dissatisfaction?
MyPlan.com doesn’t list the reasons behind the low PD ratings, but I’m sure that many of the people reading this post have some insights into what has taken a once great job and turned it into something that is now below housekeepers and food servers.
While PDs may make considerably more money than some of the other occupations on the list, it’s a good assumption that the pressure, the lack of security, and the added responsibilities that have been heaped over the past few years have taken their toll.
But still – the chance to be a voice in the community, make a difference in people’s lives, and to make listeners feel good has to count for more than just 299, right?
For PDs looking for that next career, you’ll be happy to know that the occupations that elicited the most smiley faces are pharmacists, inspectors/testers/sorters, dental hygienists, and web developers. Dental hygienists?
I would love to hear from PDs who refute this ranker, and wish to defend their vocation and their industry. Ladies and gentlemen, you have the floor.
In the meantime, have a great weekend.
Thanks to Mike Stern for bringing this thoroughly depressing study to my attention.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
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Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Program Directors are no longer valued. I think everyone wants to feel that they are a valuable part of an organization. PD’s have always accepted that they will be held responsible for the success or failure in terms of ratings, but now decisions about PD’s futures are very often knee-jerk reactions, dollar-decisions and “Can’t the other PD in the building program both stations” type of decisions.
When product was valued, PD’s were valued… and much happier.
Larry, thanks for the perspective from the front lines. I think you’re correct that for many of the PDs who might have given MyPlan.com their ratings, this “value proposition” issue figured in. Thanks.
Mr. Jacobs: Are you sure “PD” does not stand for Public Defenders who are ‘really’ at the last wrung on any ladder. I read a book a few weeks ago called: Defending the Damned by Kevin Davis who explained why this is so. But Program Directors – of Radio Stations! I find that hard to believe. I worked @ WFYR Radio in 1988-89 and we had a ball! Pl. say it isn’t so!
Just my comment(ary).
Cheers, ASK
Adrienne, like you, I was pretty shocked and disappointed to read those rankings, too. It’s been quite a while since I last occupied the PD chair, and while stressful and very 24/7, it was a pretty amazing way to make a living. Maybe they did confuse it with public defender. Thanks for checking in and for reading our blog.
Depends on who you work for I reckon. Oasis Radio Group values program directors.
An important variable to be sure. I’m sure many PDs would agree with you. Glad you found one that appreciates what you do. Thanks for the comment, Lenny.
I’ve always felt that if you don’t like your job leave…. People do radio because they are passionate about it they love the art of it , so when I hear depressing accounts of a still valued position in this Buisness the first thing that comes to mind is that someone is bitter about their last gig or their career in general . Obviously companies have put more on the plate of the Pd which means that if the pd’ is overwhelmed , maybe he/she should seek training for additional skills to continue to make him/her valuable to that company rather than bitch and moan about why they are undervalued and get no respect. The research tells me that there are a lot of PD’s with too much time on their hands to participate in online surveys 🙂
Every GM I’ve dealt with is looking to get profit margins up , keep expenses down and win with that model. I think the real problem is that outside of successful consultants like you guys , no one is really giving those market managers any other success ful plans to go by. And there is absolutely zero input from the sales department which is a big issue as well .
PD’s at my stations were always considered big problem solvers so maybe the problem now is how to we take the next step from being PD’s to becoming successful multitasking efficient. Brand Managers .
Frank, I love the passion, and was hoping to read a few more of these, to be honest. It’s never been an easy job, but clearly more challenging than ever before. Thanks for caring.
Sorry for the rant … I don’t respond well to negativity as you can tell 🙂