If your dream is to become the next Walter Cronkite or Dan Rather, your first step is to decide how you're going to pursue broadcast journalism education and training. Whether you're interested in TV broadcasting or radio broadcasting, you'll need the proper education and training to land broadcasting jobs.

There are a few paths you can follow to become a broadcasting journalist. You might choose to get a formal broadcasting degree from a college or university, or you might get your education and training from broadcasting schools. Internships in the broadcasting industry are also a great way to get broadcasting training. Whatever route you choose, you'll find the proper education and training is vital to success in broadcasting careers:

1. Obtain a degree in broadcast journalism from an accredited college or university.
2. Fulfill educational requirements for broadcast journalism by attending broadcast schools.
3. Participate in internship programs in radio or television broadcasting.
4. Join associations for broadcast journalism and attend seminars, conferences and other educational functions.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Go the formal education route on your way to becoming a broadcast journalist

You can start your broadcast journalism education and training by getting a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Most of these programs will combine broadcasting courses with humanities and other classes for a well-rounded education.

I recommend: The Communications Department of Delaware State University offers a diverse four-year program leading to a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism. The University of Southern California has a journalism program that provides core courses in journalism as well as more specialized classes in broadcasting.

Let broadcast schools give you intensive broadcast journalism education and training

While a formal education will teach you the basics of broadcast journalism and will allow you to break into the broadcasting industry, you might choose to go for the more intensive education broadcasting schools supply. Many of these schools combine classroom training with work experience.

I recommend: Radio Connection Broadcasting School has a program that lets students work with on-air broadcasters that will help them establish their own broadcasting show. Broadcasters Mentoring Group pairs students with mentors through either three-month or six-month broadcasting school programs.

Receive hands-on experience in broadcast journalism through internships in the broadcasting industry

Hands-on training is perhaps the best way to learn any trade or craft, and this is certainly true for broadcast journalists. Getting into an internship program assures you will work with on-air personalities at top companies in the broadcasting industry.

I recommend: CBS News offers internships to college juniors and seniors that allow them to work on top shows such as "60 Minutes" and "CBS Evening News." CubReporters.org provides links to many broadcast journalism internships, including those offered by ABC News, Time Warner and ESPN.

Pursue continuing education in broadcast journalism to further enhance your skills

As in many other fields, learning in broadcast journalism does not stop once you leave school or end your internship. You can benefit from joining a professional association and taking advantage of ongoing seminars, conferences and lectures to continually further your broadcasting training.

I recommend: The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) offers live and online seminars for both TV broadcasting and radio broadcasting. Get career development training programs for broadcast journalists in both television and radio at the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF).

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get experience in broadcast journalism by getting involved in a college radio or television station while you're pursuing a broadcasting degree.

Broadcast journalism is an exciting and diverse career that enables you to tell stories or report the news in the television or radio mediums. If you're thinking about a career as a broadcast journalist, you need more than good camera presence or an eloquent speaking voice. Excellent research skills and the ability to write for broadcast media are essential skills.

If you're considering a career in broadcasting, it's important to have the training and on-air experience—along with a natural curiosity and stellar research skills—to attract potential employers. Broadcast journalism program and career information is easily accessed on the Internet from reputable resources and journalism schools. When researching information about broadcasting careers, consider the following:

1. A number of highly regarded colleges offer broadcast journalism degree programs that offer specializations in either TV or radio.
2. Broadcast journalism organizations offer numerous resources and tips for those considering a career as a reporter for TV or radio.
3. TV or radio broadcasting careers listed online at job sites specializing in the broadcasting industry can help you find the networking leads you need to find a job once you graduate.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find TV broadcasting degree programs

Broadcast journalism college degree programs will help you get the practice you need and the contacts you want to begin your ascent in the TV or radio broadcasting industries. But where to start? Be sure to check out these sites for help with narrowing down your broadcasting journalism program choices.

I recommend: The Academy of Radio & Television offers online programs for budding radio and TV broadcasters. The College of Communication at Boston University features a cutting-edge broadcasting program that gives students hands-on studio experience and exposure to the latest technology. The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in broadcast journalism with concentrations in TV or radio.

Search for TV broadcasting careers

If you dream of seeing your face on TV reporting the evening news or on location for a documentary, it's important to make industry in-roads. These broadcasting career sites can help.

I recommend: The National Association of Broadcaster Education Foundation offers a wealth of information on its website, while CareerPage is a good job bank for broadcasters.

Find radio broadcasting and TV broadcasting resources

If you're considering a broadcast journalism career in TV or radio, be sure to check out resources from major broadcasting organizations. Jobs, news and other broadcasting career information can be found on these sites.

I recommend: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration offers news and reports that affect the companies you could someday soon work for, while the Corporation for Public Broadcasting offers links to other broadcasting companies, organizations and resources that specialize in publicly-funded broadcasting with underwriters instead of commercials.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When researching a broadcasting career, remember the best broadcasting resources are the broadcasters themselves. If you're visiting the above websites, find college professors or working broadcast journalists and send them an email with career questions.

For those who want to work in an exciting field, broadcast journalism is a popular choice. However, trends in economy and media make it hard to land a job in the television or radio journalism industry. Businesses that want to get a message out to the public often get engaged in broadcasting, so it pays to know some of the common terms that apply. Learning some of the important aspects of broadcast journalism can help businesses that collaborate with broadcasting companies.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Federal Communications Commission, or FCC

The FCC is the government regulatory agency that monitors public broadcasting. Every business that wants to make broadcasting a part of its operations should first and foremost be aware of FCC regulations and how they affect the industry.

I recommend: Learn more about the FCC's role and other critical components of broadcast journalism at the U.S. Dept. of Labor's broadcast journalism industry overview page.

On the air, or on-air

Being 'on-air' just means that a person's voice or recording is being played over the airwaves, which is what constitutes a broadcast.

I recommend: Find out all about getting pieces of recorded content on-air at the Alaska Broadcasters Association.

Deadline

A deadline is a time limit for producing a piece for broadcast. Broadcast journalists have to be very attentive to deadlines, as they are a major part of the job. Businesses working with broadcast journalists also have to keep deadlines in mind.

I recommend: Read more about deadlines as an aspect of broadcast journalism at StartinTV.com.

Internship

An internship is an entry-level position, often temporary, at a company. Internships are generally designed for students and are a way to get some experience. However, internships are especially important for broadcast journalism because broadcast employers commonly want beginners to start with an internship and move up. So, a legitimate internship opportunity at a TV station or radio station is something many young people prize.

I recommend: Read about internships at International Education. Find broadcast journalism internships at pages like this one from JuJu.

Specialization

In broadcast journalism, professionals often specialize in either TV or radio. There are also anchor, weather and investigative journalism broadcasting specialties.

I recommend: Read up about broadcast journalism specializations from the Journalism School of Columbia University.

Resume tape

The resume tape is a critical resource for individuals entering broadcast journalism. The resume tape includes some of an anchor's, reporter's or other broadcaster's best work. It serves as a portfolio and marker of accomplishments that could be valuable to a potential employer.

I recommend: Get a definition and details on the resume tape from Professional Writing Resources. See more on resume tape production at the Television News Center.