Network & Connect and get your start in Podcasting, On Air, Streaming, News/Talk, Sports, Social Media, Sales, Marketing, Promotions and more!

GAB Media Career Academy May 11 - 16, 2026

 

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APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW! Take a huge step toward starting your career in On Air, Podcasting, Streaming, Audio Production, News/Talk, Sports, Social Media, Sales, Marketing, Promotions and more!

The Georgia Association of Broadcasters Media Career Academy™ at Grady College of Journalism on the campus of the UGA in Athens, Georgia   creates opportunities for new and emerging careers in media.  It is truly an incubator of well-rounded, well-educated college students, or recent graduates with a passion for media and a determination to get into the business.

The National Radio Talent System™ is made up of multiple Talent Institutes at colleges and universities throughout the United States. Each institute brings in industry professionals from around the country as Guest Speakers who bring their real-world knowledge to this intensive 6-day summer program.

The GAB Media Career Academy™ at Grady College of UGA is the campus-to-career connection most students need to begin their broadcast career, each not only learning from the dozens of pros but are able to network with them individually. This proves invaluable, as most will otherwise never have such an opportunity to meet and speak with these professionals. Likewise, these pros already have an introduction to these students who are available for open positions.

Upon completion of the institute, students will further their networking opportunities with access the National Radio Talent System's Career Center. This is where those in the industry are able to discover and hire NRTS graduates, who very likely, will be tomorrow's industry leaders.



Here are some of the Institute highlights (See Curriculum for more)
  • Now is the Time to Start Thinking Like a Pro
  • Radio's Digital Content & Social Media
  • Programming Sports Talk Radio
  • How to Get In and Win
  • Marketing and Promotions - Doing It Right
  • Basics of Great Voice Work and Production
  • Goal Setting & Time Management
  • Doing It Live & Voice Tracking
  • How to Get a Good Job
  • How to Do A Great Talk Radio Show
  • Basics of Doing a Great Music Radio Show
  • Music Scheduling How & Why
  • Sales & Marketing

Industry Pros Speaking at GAB Media Career Academy


Chris Eagan

Vice President Audience & Operations
Cox Media Group
Atlanta, GA

Chandra Kinsey

Regional Promotions Director
Audacy, Inc.
Atlanta | Chattanooga | Memphis

Callie Dauler

Podcaster/Radio-TV Producer
Founder/Partner
tentwentytwo Projects
Atlanta, GA

Big Tigger

Big Tigger Morning Show
WVEE-V103 Atlanta
Audacy, Inc.

Don Turnbull

PM Drive/Traffic Anchor
Traffic/News
WSB Atlanta
Cox Media Group

GAB Media Career Academy Students Say It Best!


Emily Wisniewski

Justin Harris

Carmen Corley

Destiny Hartwell

Frequently Asked Questions

The Georgia Association of Broadcasters GAB Media Career Academy is an intense 6-day program held on the campus of Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA in partnership with National Radio Talent System.

National Radio Talent System is the only program of its kind in the world. It’s a system of Radio Talent Institutes on college campuses across America. Its mission is to discover, coach and nurture the next generations of professionals in the industry.

National Radio Talent System brings over 30 media professionals to the GAB Media Career Academy to teach interactive sessions. Over the six days you will personally learn from them, meet, mingle, and network with them. It could take years to meet and build relationships with this many broadcasters otherwise. Broadcast professionals from almost every aspect of the broadcast industry lead sessions; on-air, sales, digital, sports, news, production, management, marketing, programming, social media, etc.

After completion of the GAB Media Career Academy, you are highlighted on the National Radio Talent System website to broadcasters regionally and nationally. 70% of students who attend the GAB Media Career Academy get their first job in broadcasting after graduation.

YES. You don’t have to choose one or the other. To date, every radio station has allowed their interns to break away from the internship for six days to participate in the Media Career Academy.

All college students, recent graduates and grad students from all universities in the state and region and interns and part-timers at radio or TV stations are welcomed. A total of 25 students are accepted on a rolling acceptance, so the earlier you apply, the better your chances.

The National Radio Talent System provides a “Certificate of Completion” from the GAB Media Career Academy and a “Radio Marketing Professional” certification from the RAB.

A $395 Registration fee is paid after you are notified of acceptance, and that cost includes a meal card for lunch to use during the 6 days. Housing, if needed, is available on campus for an extra fee.

Yes. You may cancel your registration and request a refund for the GAB Institute at the University of GA in Athens by April 15, 2026

GAB's Mission


The Georgia Association of Broadcasters: The Nation's First State Broadcast Association
Each of you attending this Media Career Academy (MCA) are here because of the support and financial resources provided by the Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB) and the GAB Education Foundation (GAB-EF), in association with the National Radio Talent Systemâ„¢ (NRTS).

Supporters of the GAB-EF and the GAB MCA include Gray Media, Inc., Georgia Power, Val & Ann Carolin, Lee & Ann Berger, and the Tomlin Group.

Founded in Savannah, GA, in July 1934, the GAB has represented the interests of Georgia's FCC-licensed over-the-air radio and television stations, for more than 90 years.

The GAB provides technical, regulatory, and advocacy support to members, as well as offering continuing professional enrichment opportunities designed to keep Georgia broadcasters at the forefront of the industry.

Today, membership is comprised of more than 400 radio and television broadcasters who reach more than 95% of Georgia's population every week. While the GAB offices are located in North Atlanta, its membership serves all 159 counties in the state.

Since 2009, the GAB-EF has served the ever-changing needs of our broadcasting community. The GAB-EF strives to foster the growth of future broadcasters through professional and educational opportunities.

The team at the GAB and its membership of Georgia broadcasters are dedicated to educating, empowering, and inspiring those sharing a passion for this industry.

We are all truly excited to see you here as you take this first step in launching your exciting broadcasting career.

To learn more about us please visit https://www.gab.org/ and https://www.gab.org/education-foundation/ or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X @GaBroadcasters. @Georgia Association of Broadcasters on LinkedIn.



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GAB Underwriters