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What majors should I take that will give me the skills to become a TV broadcaster, if my college doesn't offer courses for that exact career?

I am going to be an incoming freshman this fall at the University of Northern Iowa. I would like to become a TV broadcaster, but my college doesn't have a set course for that exact major. I would like to get a professional opinion on what communication courses should I take that will help me to become a TV Broadcaster. I've asked my college's resource center and they suggested many courses, but I am still unclear which ones to pick. I wonder if any TV broadcasters have experienced this problem? If so, what classes did they take? #journalism #communications #digital-media #broadcasting

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Arlyd’s Answer

I also went to a school that didn't have TV Broadcasting major so I'll share how I went beyond my Communications degree. Take all the journalism and communication classes you can then start thinking outside the box. Find the division within your school that does all of the TV production work for the university and picked up a student job there. Volunteer/work for any related clubs or organizations in the area and don't forget your local cable access station. Find a local TV broadcaster in your area that is willing to sit with you for a few mentoring minutes. I received some great career advice from Gale King just by reaching out the station when she used to work at Channel 3 in Hartford. Be open to all aspects of broadcasting so you can decide what you really enjoy. (Talent, Director, Producer, Camera, Editor, etc.) As I went through college I found I enjoyed more behind the camera than in front. I would have missed out on great opportunities had I only been willing to be in front of the camera. Also look into classes that might be modified. As a senior I was able to get into a graduate level audio production class for theater. Working with the professor we were able to modify all of my project assignments as it related to television. Finally make sure to check with your athletic department for opportunities. Don't let a "class" define what/where you can learn. The whole world is a classroom. If you learn to create real world opportunities for yourself while in school you can graduate with a great resume/reel that stands out from others and have some actual paid experience.

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Emily’s Answer

My take on this is that part of tv broadcasting is also about the entertainment value and reaching a variety of audiences. If your school has public speaking as a course, that would be a great tool to have.
1. It could help you gain the confidence you need to be in front of the camera/have the spotlight on you
2. It gives you opportunity to research your given topic/subject and create a presentation that you can convey to an audience in a fun and convincing way.

Also, if there's any specific media classes that you can get your hands on that would also help. I went to Dominican University for my B.A. in Rhetoric & Communications and I took Convergent Media, Persuasion, and some film courses. The more you can learn about your desired career the better so don't be afraid to really research what they have to offer in the Communications department. You might find some stuff that might surprise you and that you could really enjoy if you look outside the box. Basically knowledge is your friend the more you know the better.

You could also use some of your free time to find other ways to learning your desired career goal. Since COVID hit, there's a lot of different ways of learning things. I wouldn't be surprised if you could find creative ways to learn tv broadcasting. The more you're passionate about something the more you want to find more than one way to learn about it. So just keep researching and finding more outlets to learn what you want to know.

Otherwise, I'd personally like to recommend as an extracurricular to look into is if your school offers a comedy team/group. It's another way of putting yourself out there and has a lot of benefits to any profession in terms of your communication style. Plus it will open up a whole new world to you. You can test any comedy abilities you might have and make more friends/potential audience members. The more experience you can gain at entertaining people the better. I'd personally love to hear what your experiences may become in your future.
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Catherine’s Answer

TV Broadcaster is someone who is in the public eye so public speaking is HUGE! You should also know your audience, knowledgeable if not an expert with respect to the content you will be broadcasting. So if there is NO major that specifically focuses on broadcasting, I would recommend focusing on media, marketing, public speaking, all of the above you mentioned, subjects, or major on the area of expertise that you want to discuss... Most important create a vision board or set goals to what are the top three companies you want to work for and who are the MUSES that inspire you. What is about them that you want to be like and make it your own. Get an internship, start a podcast, volunteer at your school's radio media clubs etc. The more hands-on experience and subjects that will enhance your skills the better. Last but not least, conflict management is critically related to psychology. Being on the front line will require a thick skin and you will need to know how to filter and manage the positive and negative feedback.

Catherine
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