Join WREK
WREK is operated, managed, and engineered entirely by the students of Georgia Tech. If you’re a student at Tech and you’re interested in getting involved with the station, come check us out!
We actively recruit every summer during FASET and with tables / info sessions during the first few weeks of class. We also encourage dropping by the station if you’re curious about being a part of WREK 91.1 FM!
Frequently Asked Questions about Joining WREK
How do I, a Georgia Tech student, get involved with WREK?
Come by the station at any time and ask to sign up for a training shift. You don’t need any credentials or experience to join. We will teach you everything you need to know!
When you sign up for a training shift, you are assigned a parent op who will show you the ropes of running the board and tell you general information about WREK over the course of weekly sessions. When you feel that you are ready to go solo, you will record your last hour of dummy-op’ing, known as an “air track.” Next, schedule an op test. The operations manager will quiz you on your knowledge of WREK equipment operations and station policy. Passing this test grants you a WREK T-shirt, and you become an official DJ operator of the station.
Where is the station located on the Georgia Tech campus?
While the new Student Center is under construction, we have a new temporary location. The WREK studio is currently located in the Office of Information Technology Building on Freshman Hill, across from the old civil engineering building. Heading down Freshman Hill, once you pass Crosland Towers, our studio is located on your right after passing Power Plant Dr NW. Our address is 220 Bobby Dodd Way NW, Atlanta, GA 30313. Although you need buzzcard access to enter, there are usually people hanging out or running their shifts in the station, so don’t be afraid to knock and we’ll let you in. We’re always happy to give a tour and tell you more about getting involved with the station.
What kind of music does the station play?
WREK’s format is very diverse. Typically, music programming is organized into block formats including classical, jazz, rock, rap, blues, reggae, traditional, experimental, and international music from around the world. Specialty shows are generally aired at night during a regular weekly time slot. Such shows focus on a particular genre of music like African, ska, punk, noise, indie rock, funk, r&b, classic rock, heavy metal, blues, avant-garde classical, and big band jazz.
How much time am I required to commit as a WREK DJ?
Operators generally have one shift per semester. A shift is usually a one hour weekly time during regular rotation (Classics, Jazz, Blue Plate Special, Rock Rhythm Roll, Atmospherics, Overnight Alternatives, or Weekend Cornucopia). Shifts are scheduled at the beginning of the school semester and last through the end of dead week. These shifts only cover regular rotation programming, not specialty shows. However, we always encourage people to get more involved and spend more time at the station!
Do ops get paid?
Operators and specialty show hosts don’t get paid during the semester, as we are a volunteer station. However, during some hard-to-fill times (such as the weeks between semesters or over winter break), we offer a small stipend. This has encouraged marathon 12-hour shifts and can be quite fun!Additionally, most executive staff members are also paid a small stipend to help maintain the station. Executive staff members include positions like General Manager, Chief Engineer, and Business Manager, among others.
If I am an op, can I play whatever I want?
Not really. In general, the WREK music directors have auditioned hundreds of records and CDs that are to be played during the regular rotation formats. Several tracks from each CD are considered to be part of the regular format. Ops are expected to choose selections for air play from this set. In addition to choosing selections from the pre-programmed set, WREK ops are entitled to a “free-cut” every half-hour. A free-cut is an op’s choice and can come from any record or CD in our library (40,000+ records and CD’s) as long as it fits the format of that particular shift.This tends to be an ongoing topic of debate, since WREK constantly has new people coming on board who really really really want to play The Cranberries, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Nine Inch Nails. Playing artists such as these defeats the purpose of WREK. For more information, check out or philosophy.
Are there other jobs at the station I can do if I want to do more than just spin records?
WREK always needs more people to help out with automation, production, sports, business, news, publicity, programming, and engineering. If you are interested in any of these fields, talk to the Operations Manager after attending a training session.
How can I get my own specialty show?
In the course of working at WREK, you may discover that a certain style of music you are familiar with is not being represented within the WREK programming. After working at the station for at least a semester, you may formally propose a show to the programming board. The guidelines for doing such are detailed in the WREK Policy Guide.The usual first step is to make a sample tape or try a Sunday Special.
Every Sunday evening from 7pm-9pm, a different op is able to put on a one-time special representing a particular artist, band, genre, or theme. Some Sunday Specials have been prototypes for regular specialty shows. Sunday Specials are open to all ops who wish to sign up for one.
I am a professor / staff member / employee of Georgia Tech, can I get involved with WREK?
Absolutely! WREK is always interested in members of the Georgia Tech community, and we currently have several shows sponsored by GT employees. On Wednesdays, “Inside the Black Box” is a science show run by Pete Ludovice (a professor in the Chemical Engineering department) and Bill Hunt (a professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department). Lost in the Stacks, Georgia Tech’s Research Library Rock n Roll Radio Show, airs on Fridays at noon and is run by Charlie Bennett from the Georgia Tech Library. Contact the General Manager or Operations Manager if you’re interested in being a part of WREK.
