"Freeform radio is really only a concept that can be observed on college radio stations (which only garner listeners from fellow students who want to hear their friend playing some sort of anime or didgeridoo music."
I think the 1 commercial freeform FM in the US, KHUM, the most popular station in its market, would beg to differ with your oversimplification of the format. As would many of the stations that made classic rock classic to begin with, and were the forerunner of your beloved Triple A format. And a pretty influential brand called KEXP, which is also DJ-selected in their programming. Correctly done, freeform takes a great deal of attention and skill. A skill much different than Top 40 formats, but a skill nonetheless. Skilled selection and blending of music is not easily done.
I would suggest one thing it takes to become a radio personality is a sense of history and context, and respect for the ideas and experiences of others.