How to Become a News Broadcaster: Education and Career Roadmap
News broadcasters report the news via television, radio and online outlets. They cover stories and events that occur on local, national and international levels. Some news broadcasters write their own stories, conduct interviews, provide commentary for special events and mediate discussions. Many newscasters specialize in areas such as weather or sports.
Step 1: Consider the Career
Before pursuing this career, aspiring news broadcasters may benefit from exploring the profession to make sure it suits their temperament and skills. Broadcast news is a fiercely competitive field, so broadcasters must be persistent, willing to work long hours and passionate about accurate and unbiased news reporting. They must also be comfortable on camera, be physically attractive and have a pleasant voice.
Step 2: Become Familiar with Broadcasting
Future news broadcasters can begin familiarizing themselves with the career in secondary school. High school students may take classes in English, communications, journalism, political science, history and other liberal arts courses applicable to the field. Some high schools offer media or audio-visual clubs that provide students with hands-on experience in broadcasting. Students may also learn foreign languages in high school, which are necessary for some positions.
Step 3: Attend Undergraduate School
News broadcasters are typically required to hold bachelor's degrees in journalism, communications or related fields. Students may consider programs in broadcast journalism, which will equip them with the writing, reporting and production skills for careers in television and radio news. Courses may include broadcast writing and editing, research techniques, news gathering, television production, radio reporting and media ethics.
Step 4: Complete an Internship Program
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers consider practical experience an essential qualification in broadcasters (www.bls.gov). Beginning news broadcasters may often earn this experience through internship programs, which are usually incorporated into bachelor's degree programs. Internships may be available at radio and television broadcast stations, newspapers, news websites and other media outlets. Some interns receive payment or class credit for their work.
Step 5: Seek Employment
College graduates may find entry-level employment at radio and television stations that serve small, local markets. Many news broadcasters start out as beat reporters or editors and work their way up the newscaster ladder. With experience and expertise, some news broadcasters advance to become correspondents, announcers, specialists or supervising broadcasters. Since job opportunities in small markets are limited, news broadcasters may have to relocate to larger, metropolitan areas to advance in the profession.
Broadcaster Careers
Television and radio broadcaster training can be acquired through a 9- to 12-month certificate program at a career school or by earning a 2-year associate or 4-year bachelor's degree in broadcasting or communications. Look for broadcaster degree programs accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).
Related to How to Become a News Broadcaster
- Related
- Recently Updated
- Popular
News Broadcaster Education and Training Program Information
News broadcasters use traditional and digital media to report events on local, national and international scenes....
News Broadcaster: Career Profile
News broadcasters, sometimes referred to as reporters, television anchors or news analysts, gather information to...
Broadcaster: Educational Requirements to Be a Broadcasting Professional
Broadcasting professionals provide the public with news and inform them of current events. To become a broadcaster,...
Become a Television Broadcaster: Education and Career Roadmap
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (''www.bls.gov'') predicted in 2008 that the demand for broadcasters would be...
Broadcasting Degrees: Top School for Becoming a Radio or Television Broadcaster - Fort Lauderdale, FL
- TV Broadcaster: Career Profile
- Sports Broadcaster: Job Profile and Occupational Outlook for the Sports Broadcasting Professions
- TV Broadcaster: Information for Students Considering a Career in TV Broadcasting
- Bachelor of Science (BS): Information Systems Degree Overview
- Where to Find Free Apple Computer Courses, Seminars and Tutorials
- Bachelor of Science (BS): Database Technology Degree Overview
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA): Accounting Degree Overview
- Oncology Assistant: Job Information for Students Considering a Career As an Oncology Technician or Assistant
- Masters in Early Childhood Special Education: Program Info
- Bachelor of Science (BS): Network Design and Administration Degree Overview
- Master of Education (M.Ed): Elementary Licensure Degree Overview
- Career Information for a Degree or Certification in Nail Manicure
9 Popular Schools
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arkansas (1 campus)
- California (2)
- Colorado (2)
- Columbia (D.C.) (1)
- Florida (4)
- Georgia (2)
- Idaho (1)
- Indiana (1)
- Kentucky (1)
- Louisiana (1)
- Michigan (1)
- Missouri (1)
- Mississippi (1)
- Nevada (1)
- Oklahoma (2)
- Wisconsin (2)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Health care programs require applicants to be a licensed health care professional and hold an associate degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older
- Must have completed some college
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Must be a permanent resident or citizen of the U.S.
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- All programs require applicants to have graduated high school in 2010 or earlier
- Must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Bachelor
-
- BS in Communications
-
- BS in Technical Communications
-
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Colorado (2 campuses)
- South Dakota (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Master
-
- MS in English and Creative Writing - Nonfiction
-
- Bachelor
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 17 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Non-Degree
-
- Career Diploma - Professional Blogging
-
Other Recommended Schools:
-
School locations:
- Pennsylvania (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Temple University include:
-
- Graduate: Doctorate First Professional Degree Master
- Post Degree Certificate: First Professional Certificate Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate Bachelor
- Communications and Journalism
- Communication Studies
- Comparative Language Studies and Services
- Digital, Radio, and Television Communication
- English Composition
- English Language and Literature
- Foreign Language and Literature
- Journalism
- Broadcast Journalism
- Public Relations and Advertising
