Do you have what it takes to be a radio DJ for WUOG? Probably.

When hiring disc jockeys for the University’s radio station, Ellen Bagwell must consider the reputation that WUOG has to uphold.

“I’m the final word in the DJs that we hire, so I have to make sure we have the best DJs on air,” she said.

Though it may appear as nothing more than a fantastic way to play music all day, becoming a DJ for WUOG is a labor of love, including late hour sit-ins at the station, tests and a semester’s worth of work before you even touch a turntable.

“I joined knowing my goal was to become a DJ – but you can’t just immediately become a DJ. You have to be a regular staff member for six months. It actually gives you an appreciation of how the station runs and the structure itself,” said Jessica Menkin, a telecommunication arts major who became a certified DJ in fall of 2008.

“Once you have proved your dedication to the station . by being active for one semester on any staff, you can then apply to become a DJ,” Bagwell said.

Being an “active” member means a number of things, but always involves being helpful.

“An active member might review CDs, interview bands and help with promotional stuff … if you show up with a smile and help out however you can – to me, that is dedicated,” Bagwell said.

After applying to be a DJ, students take up seven “sit-ins” over a period of five weeks.

“They do sit-ins with current, experienced DJs, with those who know the ropes . [they teach them the] technical side of things and style of DJing, all the rules and regulations of being a DJ for a college station, our music philosophy, rules of college radio and how to operate the machinery,” Bagwell said.

Starting out, new DJs show dedication by working through the night.

“When you first get certified, you have to work the graveyard shift – which sometimes weeds people out – from 12 a.m. to 8 a.m. The newest DJs get the worst shifts, but it’s like any job where you get promoted,” Menkin said.

Once certified, disc jockeys must work rotation – a block of music that is pulled from groups of CDs from unknown or local artists. In fact, WUOG maintains that no artists or bands will be promoted through them if they have any exposure on any major music television station, commercial radio or the Billboard Top 100.

“The fact is, if a band is being featured on any of these mediums, they don’t need us, and we’re not going to play them. We want to help artists that need us. We may be some artist’s only avenue,” Bagwell said.

WUOG creates this avenue by hosting Live in the Lobby, promoting local bands and musicians and hosting “specialty shows” that students may personalize with a genre they feel strongly about.

“If you have a specialty show, you come up with an idea and a theme for yourself. You have to do research on the genre and prove to the station that there is an abundance of that music out there,” Menkin said.

Though DJs must continually prove themselves to the station, creativity is always rewarded.

“You can just take a genre and run with it. I host a reggae hour. Someone just started Maui Waui – all Hawaiian music. There’s a spoken word show – it’s full of poetry. There’s just a ton of really cool stuff. It truly does appeal to everybody,” Bagwell said.

In addition to broadcasting personal tastes, becoming a WUOG DJ can lead to personal discoveries.

“The coolest thing about being a DJ is the music you discover. Sometimes the first time you hear a song is when you play it on the radio, and it will end up being your favorite band,” Menkin said.

At times it may seem that a lot of effort is put into the station for very little in return, but Bagwell assures that is not the case.

“The whole station is student-run and -led, and completely volunteer-based. Sometimes you stop and think, ‘Why am I waking up to DJ from 2 to 4 a.m.?’ But it’s really beautiful because people genuinely support this station and appreciate the philosophy we operate by,” Bagwell said.