Broadcasting Career Advice for High School Graduates

So you just finished high school and you want to break into the broadcasting field. Most likely you are considering options like higher education, apprenticeships and entry-level jobs- in between channel-surfing on your parents’ couch. Relax, young graduate! The National Broadcasting Training Network has your step-by-step guide to getting a broadcasting job right here.

If you just graduated from high school and are contemplating a job in broadcasting, there is probably one prominent thought on your mind: should you go to college? You are probably thinking that the first natural step in your broadcasting career is to get into a good college, major in communication and maybe score a gig on the campus radio. After that, you are sure to bound right into a great broadcasting career right? Well, unfortunately, no.

Because this is the conventional route many high school grads pursue to get into broadcasting, competition for broadcasting jobs has quadrupled while jobs themselves have decreased. Every application is starting to look the same to broadcasting professionals and it is almost impossible to distinguish yourself from your peers. With every broadcasting job application boasting a communications degree, a “way with people” and a gig at the campus radio station, what’s a broadcasting professional to do?

If you really want a broadcasting career, you have to find a way to distinguish yourself from the pack. Broadcasting-because of its glamorous connotations and general awesomeness-is an incredibly popular field to go into, so if you want a broadcasting job you are going to have to find a way to stand out. For example, go to college, but major in something besides communication. If you want to be a talk radio host, major in religion or history. If you want to work on sound or audio, major in engineering. And if you want to become a disc jockey, major in anthropology or world music. Why? Because in the broadcasting field, pretty much everyone is well-spoken. What sets you apart is having something interesting to say. Rather than grappling for the next news radio spot, offer to host a History Hour or African Rhythms show. Having something unique to offer is an important edge because radio stations are always looking for more variety.

After college, forsake graduate school in favor of broadcasting schools or apprenticeship programs. These vocation-based programs will supplement your unique school expertise with the practical real-world skills needed to be successful in a broadcasting career. Broadcasting schools and apprenticeship programs offer in-station training, broadcasting mentors, formal education, and all but guarantee you a job upon graduation.

Throughout your education at college and in broadcasting school, make sure to stay involved and keep up on personal interests. A keen mind is one of the greatest things you can bring to a broadcasting career. Broadcasting clubs or networks can be a great place to make contacts, friends, and stay informed on industry trends. Also, keep up on personal interests such as politic debate, knitting or flamenco dance. Well-rounded people make the best broadcasting professionals, so don’t feel like personal hobbies are a digression from your career.

We hope you’ve benefited from this broadcasting career guide. As you prepare for college and the great big world of broadcasting beyond, don’t forget to do plenty of sleeping in and channel-surfing. And when you’re done with that, contact the National Broadcasting Training Network for more great broadcasting career advice!