What Training Do I Need for a Career in Television Broadcasting?

There are a variety of positions to choose from in television broadcasting, such as becoming a reporter, news anchor, camera operator, or producer. These positions require at least undergraduate or vocational training and internship experience in order to gain entry-level employment. Read on to learn more about the job titles included in the field of television broadcasting.

<h3 id="section---Reporter">Reporter</h3> <p>If you want to become a reporter, you must learn how to write news stories and gather important information in order to inform the public as to what's happening in the community. Reporters must investigate news stories by analyzing and interpreting data, interviewing sources, fact-checking quotes, and researching leads. Reporters usually have at least a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from a four-year university and sometimes participate in the school's newspaper for hands-on experience. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutCareersInTelevisionBroadcasting">Important Facts About Careers in Television Broadcasting</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Key Skills </td><td> Public Speaking, Global Awareness, Outgoing Personality</td></tr> <tr><td>Work Environment </td><td> Television Studio, with occasional time out in the field</td></tr> <tr><td>Median Salary (2022) </td><td> $63,851* (<i>for news anchors</i>)</td></tr> <tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td>-9%** decline (<i>for news analysts, reporters, and journalists</i>)</td></tr> <tr><td>Similar Occupations </td><td> Journalist, Talk Radio Host, Blogger</td></tr> </table><p><i>Sources: *Payscale.com; **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---NewsAnchor">News Anchor</h3> <p>News anchors must have at least a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism. They are trained to write, edit, and present news stories in front of the camera. They also must know how to speak clearly by perfecting their pronunciation in order to be understood by the general audience of television. News anchors gain training through college courses in broadcast news writing, video editing, and reporting. They also practice doing live on-air broadcasts at the school's student-operated news station or participate in internships at local T.V. networks. </p> <h3 id="section---CameraOperator">Camera Operator</h3> <p>Camera operators require at least a high school diploma or an associate's degree in broadcasting technology or electronics from a two-year community college or vocational school. Camera operators operate cameras behind the scenes in television network studios. Camera operators must continually update their training in digital technology in order to stay current with the latest technological trends that are commonly used in television broadcasting. </p> <h3 id="section---Producer">Producer</h3> <p>Producers should have at least a bachelor's degree in communications, broadcast, or journalism. They are responsible for the overall quality of a show. Producers develop and plan how the broadcast will look and sound and select the live or taped segments that will air. Producers can gain additional training through unpaid college internships at radio and T.V. stations where they gain hands-on experience.</p>