A lot of these schools make big claims of getting people great jobs. Be very wary of this! And really think it through before you decide to go to a Radio school because it is going to be expensive.
Now, to your second question of do people over 30 get into Radio and succeed? Yes - but what comes to mind first are people in other high-profile positions who are given opportunities to jump into their own radio shows because of previous fame.
Over the past 15 years or so, a lot of talk show hosts have been coming from other sectors: G. Gordon Liddy (politics/author), Bill Bennett (politics/author), Al Franken (comedian/writer/actor), Janeane Garofalo (actress), Laurie Roth (singer/songwriter) and others. They didn't start out to be in Radio but are there now.
Not only are people from other professions filling up Radio jobs but due to consolidation of the Industry and deregulation, thousands of jobs have been lost over the past 10-12 years due to an attrition of positions. Technology like automation and voice tracking have also contributed to a decline in opportunities.
You really have to be committed to getting into the business - no matter what your age. It was easier when I first started because there were many more independently owned stations. Radio was a wide open business with many job opportunities - if you were willing to move.
Today, there are less jobs and competition is keen for the ones there are. I always suggest keep your day job and just try to get your foot in the door at any kind of radio station in your community by volunteering - possibly an intern. It doesn't matter whether it's a commercial or public station and it certainly doesn't matter what the format is. You're not there to enjoy the music, you're there to learn. Be prepared to help out in any way needed and in payment, you'll receive experience, knowledge, and something essential: connections. You'd be amazed how things come to you when you place yourself in a position to be in the right place at the right time.
The guy down the hall from me who produces the country morning show worked for free for almost one year doing various things around our cluster of stations until management finally said, "Hey...this guy's worthy. Let's actually pay him."
That's commitment.
One more thing: If, after hard work and time you still can't seem to break into Radio, don't give up on your dream.
With today's technology, you can always start your own Internet station which is becoming a more respectable alternative every day. There are people, just like you, programming Internet stations and doing their own radio shows everyday. Some make good money while others do it because it's affordable, fun, and personally gratifying to hear from listeners all over the world who enjoy what they offer.
Or, consider starting with you own Podcast. It's practically free and you can do it on your own time, at your own pace, with the content YOU want to be surrounded by. There will be Podcast stars and they'll come from the average guy having some fun in his basement studio.
