Career as a Disc Jockey (DJ)

Overview

A Disc Jockey or DJ is a person who plays music at different events and locations like nightclubs, discotheques, parties, marriages, radio stations, etc for available people. A professional DJ must have knowledge of different music genres. Along with the latest and most popular tracks, a DJ must have knowledge of old and famous tracks also. 

Eligibility

There is no specified education required to pursue this career and no age bar also. But to become successful, it all required is your passion, dedication and knowledge of different kind of equipment available to combine and mix music. A course in public speaking or mass communication will help you in success.

How to be there?

There is no specified course or education required. What you need is passion and dedication toward music. Learn the different types of equipment to play with the sound. Make a collection of famous soundtracks and learn the latest techniques of mixing music.
After that, you can apply to radio stations, nightclubs or discotheques. You can also start as a freelance DJ. It required lots of hard work in the beginning but once you get some contracts and make a place in the heart of the public with your skills then nobody can stop you.

Skills Required

To become a successful DJ, you should have good music sense, knowledge of different genre of music, how to properly use the equipment to combine and mixing the different soundtracks. A DJ should have ability to easily mix up with crowed and also have the skills to understand the mood of crowed to play music accordingly. Excellent communication skills and attractive personality also helps in career boosting. He/she should have the stamina to cheer up the crowed.

Who should choose this career?

This is the right choice for a music lover. This require dedication, passion and really hard efforts to become successful. If music is your passion, you love to play with music then definitely this is right career for you. You need to do hard-work and continue learning the new techniques to stay competent in this field.

Work Hours

There is no specified time defined for this job. They work irregular and varied hours according to the time slot. If a DJ is working in a radio station then the timing is defined by the show timing. The job at a nightclub or discotheque will be a night job always. If he/she working as a freelancer then the job depends on the event or function he needs to join. Sometimes they need to work all night or all day also as per the event time schedule.

Salary

At an early stage, you may earn less but once you build a reputation as DJ money is no bar. The DJ earning depends on the work like freelance DJ, a job at a radio station, club DJ, etc and how do you charge like per hour / per night, etc.
Average Disc Jockey (DJ) Salary in India Rs. 650,000. (source: payscale.com)

Career Scope

The demand for a DJ is increasing day by day. The increasing number of radio stations, nightclubs, and discotheques are also making this is a hot career option. Increasing passion for organizing big and luxurious parties, marriages, and other social events also raises the demand for DJs. Earlier people join this as a part-time option but later when found it a job that they enjoy and earn as well, turned to full-time DJ.
Later, after having experience as a DJ, one can become an event manager or can start own institute of DJ skills or can move in production field with own studio.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• You can make money while having fun
• Meet more people and travel at different places
• Get money and fame both

Cons

• Less money in the beginning
• No fix working hours