This educational film made by Burton Holmes Films for Vocational Guidance Films’ “Your Life Work Series” (:08) displays advancements in radio and television. This series was specifically designed to inspire young post-Depression workers into new careers. Notably, the 1940’s held much growth for the television industry including the first televised airing of sports such as hockey and basketball. Meanwhile, commercial broadcast radio had now been firmly lodged into daily American life during the Golden Age of American radio (1930’s-1940’s). During the WWII, radio proved it’s viability as a method of providing up to date information about the war front. Soon broadcasting stations would turn from the radio and begin dumping money into the television industry. The film remains largely on the radio industry highlighting it’s job market. It opens as a young boy inspects the inside of his radio (:32). He sets the tubes back inside the machine (35). A close shot follows of the vacuum tubes which are responsible for the boom in the radio industry (:36). Vacuum tubes transmit sound. We go to a radio broadcasting station to show employees whom work within beginning at the Executive’s Office (1:05). A salesmen works to sell air time for advertisements (1:10). Expert’s select proper talent for specific radio programs, here a man is shown speaking into a wax cylinder or wire recorder machine (1:14). Continuity writers prepare scripts (1:18). A news commentator broadcasts news highlights (1:28). The production department plans and prepares the programs that are to be aired (1:41). Specialists work to provide sound effects for programs (1:52). Actors and actresses rehearse (2:00). Operators will later work to mix together the dialogue, music and sound effects (2:05). An operator adjusts telephone lines to connect the studio with various stations (2:22). Another man operates the master controls (2:41). Technicians perform maintenance on radio equipment (3:05). As the radio industry grew, engineering schools became more prevalent (3:30). Radio manufacturing was considered to be an unskilled job (4:17) without much opportunity for growth. This area was dominated by women (4:22) while their male counterparts with training were placed in the production department in order to gain practical experience (4:39). Home repair became necessary as home owners purchased their own radio sets (5:02). This created more opportunity for employment. A salesman pitches a radio set to a potential customer (5:23). A radio operator follows sending and receiving messages in Morse code (5:40). In order to achieve a Commercial Operator’s License (5:53), one must pass a government exam conducted by the Federal Communications Commission. On board of a large vessel, the radio operator connects communications with other ships and land posts (6:64). An operator at one of these land stations (6:14) handles tasks such as distress signals and weather reports. Radio principles were then applied to air travel (6:27). Pilots remain connected with ground operators (6:36). A man with previous training in the radio industry works on a sound movie (7:20). The sound track is pictured laying against the film strip (7:30). A public address system also uses similar principals as the radio (7:52). A portable PA system is put to use at a county fair (8:10). Large PA system installations were much more lucrative for employees within industry (8:24). Television became the baby of the radio family (8:38) creating openings for experienced engineers. Photo transmitter / printer device shown (8:40). A cameraman catches the start of a horse race (9:00). Students are pictured at an Electrical Engineering School (9:48). Vocational schooling was also available. High school prep for this field is discussed (10:12). Students practice Morse code (10:23). A young man works with his personally constructed set in order to gain hands on experience (10:40).

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