Career Overlap Occupation record
RecordJob

Where a disc jockey can go next

5 destinations recorded, ranked by how much of the target role a disc jockey already meets. The closer to the top of Table 1, the less there is to learn.

Disc jockeys mix music from various sources using turntables or a mixing console and play music at events in front of a live audience. They may provide the music on the radio. They select the music played on the radio and make sure that it is broadcasted according to schedule. Disc jockeys can also create mixes for later distribution and playback.

Also known as music selector and broadcaster, deejay, club disc jockey, radio disc jockey, live mixing disc jockey, live mixer, live music mixer, music selector, DJ.

Professionals 39 skills on file 5 career moves 0 above 60% overlap Closest: sound artist, 35%

Fig. 2 · Career map 5 nearest · ESCO v1.2.1
sound artist 35% covered lyricist 34% covered boom operator 33% covered recording studio technician 29% covered sound editor 27% covered disc jockey You are here
  • 70% and above · short step
  • 50 to 70% · real move
  • Below 50% · substantial retraining
The 5 nearest destinations from disc jockey, each one a link to that move’s record. Distance from the centre is how much retraining the move takes; the figure on each is how much of that role a disc jockey already covers. All 5 are listed in the tables below.
Table 1

Table 1 · A bigger jump

Possible, but expect real retraining rather than a sideways step.

Table 2

Table 2 · What the job itself asks for

A disc jockey needs 19 required skills and areas of knowledge. These 10 are the ones fewest other jobs share, so they say the most about the work.

Required skill Area
  • compose playlist communication, collaboration and creativity
  • connect music fragments communication, collaboration and creativity
  • select music communication, collaboration and creativity
  • mix multi-track recordings working with machinery and specialised equipment
  • mix sound in a live situation communication, collaboration and creativity
  • maintain sound equipment working with machinery and specialised equipment
  • set up sound equipment working with machinery and specialised equipment
  • assess sound quality constructing
  • study music information skills
  • perform soundchecks working with machinery and specialised equipment
Table 3

Table 3 · Jobs that lead here

The reverse view: occupations whose skills already cover much of what a disc jockey does. The figure is how much of this job each one brings.

Index

Look up another occupation

Disc jockey is filed under Professionals, ISCO major group 2. The full index lists all ten groups.

Note

How these figures were compiled

Overlap is how much of the target role is already part of a disc jockey’s work. It is directional: the figure for the reverse move differs. Every entry above opens the full comparison for that move: what carries over, what is missing, and where to start. The full method.