Finding a job as a writer is considered by many to be a very prestigious position. Writers possess a unique talent set that allows them to conduct in depth research about topics and convey truthful information in a manner that engages the reader. Broadcast journalism is a branch of journalism that requires writers to work as a news reporter in a variety of mediums including newspapers, television, radio, and the internet.
Broadcast journalism as a field of study is offered by many colleges and universities across the country. While a lot of writers who end up in this career field may hold a specialized broadcast journalism degree, there are also other related degrees an individual could earn that would land them broadcast journalism jobs. These degree programs include:
- Communications
- Public Relations
- Media Relations
- Journalism
A specialized broadcast journalism degree, or any of the above degrees, can be offered by institutions at a variety of educational levels. Journalism degrees are offered as certificate programs, Associate’s degrees, Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees, and even Doctoral and PhD level degrees. Regardless of the program an individual enrolls in, employers will look to see that a perspective broadcast journalist has received some or all of the following coursework while in school:
- Investigative reporting
- News writing
- Mass communication laws
- Ethics
- Broadcast production
- Online media
- Public speaking
Many prospective broadcast journalists are encouraged to earn a double major or minor in another program other than broadcast journalism. Generally speaking a student would choose to double major or minor in a secondary program that interests them and can be related to broadcast journalism jobs. Some popular choices include the following:
- Foreign Affairs
- History
- Language
- Political Science
- Economics
Before completing their studies many students will be expected to complete an internship in order to earn some hands on experience. It is never a bad idea for individuals to get as much in the field experience as possible before entering broadcast journalism jobs. This will not only make an individual more attractive to potential employers, but will also give them terrific insight into the field before they enter it so they have an idea what they are getting into. While internships can be found with a variety of media outlets, the campus radio or television station is often the best place to start the search for an internship.
Those who have completed their studies in broadcast journalism will have a variety of exciting career fields awaiting them upon graduation. While some of the most exciting careers in broadcast journalism jobs take place in front of the camera, not all of the great ones are found in front of the camera. The following are a few of the career fields available in broadcast journalism:
- News writer
- Correspondent
- News Anchor
- Sportscaster
- News Director
- Assignment Editor
- Technical Producer
The increasing presence of technology, competition in the market, and consolidation of media outlets is expected to dampen the growth potential of the broadcast journalism field through 2018. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the field to experience a growth rate of roughly 7%. Despite those factors, there are a number of high paying jobs awaiting qualified broadcast journalists. The salary individuals can expect to earn in broadcast journalism jobs can vary greatly depending upon the media outlet they work for (newspaper vs. television vs. internet) and where they are employed (rural areas as opposed to large metropolitan areas), but generally speaking salaries are good across the board.
The average broadcast journalism position pays an individual $852 per week as of 2008. That number goes up for individuals in supervisory positions and down a bit for those with smaller, behind the camera roles.