I just completed my Radio Arts and Entertainment program at BCIT and wow did those two years fly by. It’s funny, whenever I told my friends what I was doing at school they would always kinda be a bit confused. I mean it’s definitely not your typical labs and lecture hall university experience. But it was a great two years, so for those of you who are still a bit confused about what exactly goes on in the Radio Arts and Entertainment, here’s what it’s all about. 

Walk into any Radio Arts and Entertainment class at BCIT and you’ll immediately feel the buzz. Not just from the hum of editing software or the clatter of keyboards, but just the excitement of studying something that you aren’t reading directly out of a textbook for. All the students are  juggling audio projects, hosting radio shows, writing scripts, interviewing guests, editing podcasts, and digging for the next story. Being a Radio Arts and Entertainment student is kind of like being a one-person media production team with a deadline every day. It’s busy, exciting, sometimes chaotic, but always creative.

Let’s start with the basics: what even is the RAE program?

Radio Arts and Entertainment at BCIT is a two-year diploma program that blends broadcasting, journalism, media production, and performance. It’s not just about radio in the traditional sense. It’s about all things media and content creation. Radio is the name of the game, but it’s definitely not all of it. From podcasting, producing voice overs, to digital storytelling and on air hosting, to even journalism and marketing, the program gives you a taste (and then some) of what it takes to be a creator in today’s media landscape. At BCIT, you won’t be just watching, you will be doing which I think is the main thing that really sets this program apart. 

First year in RAE is kind of like media bootcamp.

You come in thinking you might just learn how to talk on air or make a podcast—and then suddenly you’re producing segments, writing stories, learning Adobe Audition, managing deadlines, and figuring out how to work in a newsroom. It’s honestly a whirlwind, pretty overwhelming, but so much fun. You dive into the deep end, but in a good way. You own your own to produce your own ideas, but if you need back up, you have support. Near the end of first year you get to fully take over and run Evolution 107.9 which is the highlight of the program. You learn the ins and outs of what it takes to run a radio station and produce content getting you ready for a second year, where it’s all you. 

Second year is where things really start to all click. You have the knowledge to hop on air and do a show, write an ad and produce it, and create a marketing campaign all in one day. Like I said it’s a lot, but you are never really alone. There’s always helping hands to jump in for a voice over or hit record on a camera. By second year you got all the bases covered.  You’ve figured out how to work the board, how to write tight, how to edit fast. Now, it’s about digging deeper into what you really want to do, and creating a portfolio to prove it.

You also get to pick what you want to specialize in second year. Some students pick a radio show all the way through second semester, or some switch it up and do a couple of different things in each phase. I chose online writing. I got to write about sports, culture, Vancouver topics, and honestly, just about anything that came to mind. It’s a super good way to really hone in on what you see yourself doing post-grad. I mean you do the same thing everyday so it’s how you really get good at what you do. It prepares you for a job so when the time comes to apply for jobs post-grad you feel ready to get right into it. 

One of the best parts of RAE? The people.

Your classmates become your team, your biggest cheerleaders, and sometimes your therapy group when you’re pulling an all-nighter editing a podcast that just won’t export right. Because of the hands-on nature of the program, you get close. You work in teams, bounce ideas off each other, and build connections that last long after graduation. Group work isn’t always easy but when you have a group of people who rock and are all on the same page, it’s fun. The instructors are also a major highlight. They’ve worked in the industry as radio hosts, journalists, producers, and marketing pros. They bring real experience into the classroom. They won’t sugarcoat it, but they’ll help you get where you want to go. 

The past two years were stressful, a bit overwhelming, but most of all, so fun. I gained so much knowledge I really wouldn’t have got anywhere else that make me a well rounded person for the post-grad world. If you’ve done the program or you’re thinking of joining then I know you’re a person who enjoys creative work which in my opinion is the best type of work. So, if you’re thinking of applying, or just wondering what it’s like to live the student media life: grab a mic, hit record, and see what happens.