“I was nervous as f***”: One Australian Radio School graduate reflects on landing his first commercial radio gig

The industry we call ‘radio’ is tough – but it’s truly rewarding, isn’t it?

Having completed a radio course in 2016 at Sean Craig Murphy’s Australian Radio School, I am fresh to the industry and don’t lack passion for it.

My first on air gig was at Fresh 92.7 in Adelaide, known famously for kick-starting the career of triple j Breakfast duo Ben & Liam. Learning my craft at the station, doing some insomnia shifts from 4am to 6am, helped me grow as a person and an announcer.

I worked closely with Fresh’s Content Director Ryan Burgess, who gave me countless air checks – for which I am very grateful for the opportunity.

Eager, passionate and persistent, volunteering at Fresh was an opportunity that needed to be taken seriously and treated as a real job.

But I was keen to make my commercial radio debut. Then I got a call from Sean Craig Murphy advising me to apply for a brilliant position at 100.9 ZZZFm in the Northern Rivers – an opportunity I was officially offered a week later.

Suddenly I had two weeks to pick up my life in Adelaide and move to regional New South Wales.

I am not going to lie, I was nervous as f***. It was a big move! Moving away from friends and family is hard, but it’s a bloody great experience.

New friends pay me out for my South Aussie lingo – “it’s ‘Pool’ Mitchell, not Paul”, “it’s Graaaannt, not Grahnt” – and I call my parents everyday.

I love it here in the Northern Rivers; I’m grateful, day in and day out. It is a brilliant opportunity, and there is not a day that goes by that I am not learning.

Sean Craig Murphy is not just a friend, but he has also been very supportive, influential and an inspiring mentor. There has been a lot of talent that came out of his school.

What I will say is this: if you are willing to learn, excel and not be afraid of failure, this is the right industry for you. Sean wants his students to succeed, and I am forever grateful.

My advice for anyone wanting to get into the industry would be to move to the regions. You will learn tonnes, and it is a great way to eventually land a capital city gig. Nothing happens overnight – even Kyle Sandilands was at multiple regional stations for around 10 years before becoming one of the most successful Australian radio presenters.

Lastly, good luck – we may even end up working with each other one day.

Mitchell Sariovski can be heard on 100.9 ZZZ FM from 10am to 2pm weekdays. You can also follow him on Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MitchyLive.