Radio Broadcast (May-Oct 1922)

494 Radio Broadcast vertising, with its carefully cloaked phrases, to cause you to make too hasty a decision as to choosing a school. How then to proceed? READ THE ADVERTISEMENTS CAREFULLY LET us first read carefully all the statements ^ contained in the advertisements of the various radio schools. Consider them particularly with regard to what reference they rhake to wage scales for radio operators. The writer has taken note of the fact that at the present time, while the salaries paid marine operators have taken a drop, some schools stil! adverti s e — "a position which pays you $125 monthly and expenses, to start." Beware of this. The condition does not now exist. ^125 and expenses was the wage scale until recently, for cZ?z>/o^£'r<3/or5. $110 was paid to juniors. Seldom does a radio school graduate receive, as his first assigment, the berth of chief operator. Even so, it would pay, at thiswriting, only %o or ^105 at most, depending upon the class of ship. This is but one point which you must watch for yourself. The trade journals do not knowingly accept misleading ads. containing false statements, but sometimes they do slip through. THE TRUE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION NOW let us consider another point brought out prominently in radio school ads. — that of employment. Practically all radio schools conduct an employment service, and the majority do conscientiously endeavor to place you after you have completed their course. The radio game, however, as far as the operating field is concerned, depends greatly upon shipping, which is dependent upon foreign commerce. Consequently, shipping is more or less spasmodic, based on the law of production and demand. It naturally follows that if shipping is irregular, the demand for radio operators is, also. This is not mere in ference, it is fact. At this moment, the writer is 500 miles south of New York, northbound from Haiti, on a sugar-laden vessel. Three weeks ago, at the time of signing on for this voyage, operators were scarce around Norfolk, from which port we sailed. One month ago, in Seattle, there were three operators for every vacancy on west coast vessels. A few years ago, from the same Puget Sound port, an operator could pick his vessel; he was almost begged to take a trip. Supply and demand again, you see, with the unsettled condition of shipping naturally occurring. Another point to be considered while on the employment subject: There are, at present, a large number of the "old timers" in the game who are idle; men who have thousands of miles and many ships to their credit. The radio operating companies are making every effort to place these men — giving them preference, naturally, over newcomers. Then where will the green school-graduate stand? Let me tell you what each of six different employers of marine operators recently told me. 1 questioned them as to the prospect of employment for graduates of radio schools. The replies were alike, in effect: "we accept their applications, smile at the proudly displayed diploma done in gold and seals, and give the jobs to the old-timers. If we need a man in a hurry, or for an unimportant job, these lists of school graduates prove useful at times." There you are. NOW, in talking to some who have aspired to be radio operators, I have been told, " But 1 do not intend to go to sea, I expect to go to work in a shore station." But a shore station wireless telegrapher must of necessit\' be an operator, and a radio school graduate is not an operator — yet. True, he has a Department of Commerce license, but radio operating in a shore station, or on the high seas, is a far cry from your theory classes or code work. Take A BEAUTIFUL HOTEL FOR RADIO MEN Turning a page you meet an "ad" fairly radiating opportunity and consequent life of ease and plenty for you if you will but "sign and mail the coupon to-day"