There are as many ways in the door as there
are doors.
If you are in college, get involved with your
college radio station or newspaper. Take courses
that will give you a background in one of
the job-specific knowledge areas outlined
above. If you are out of college and looking
for your first job, check with your college's
career center. If you are looking for a career
change, think about those aspects of your
background that give you skills in a particular
area.
Teachers, for instance, often make good salespeople,
because selling involves teaching clients
how advertising can help grow their businesses.
Computer skills are translatable across many
fields, including broadcasting -- particularly
as more aspects of station operations become
"digitized" -- and are fast becoming
required even for entry-level jobs.
Some college and community radio stations
will enlist volunteers to host programs during
school breaks and summer vacation, in order
to keep the station in operation. Many cable
TV systems offer free training in video production
as part of their community-access obligation.
Recognize that you will not be Dan Rather
-- or get paid like he does -- in your first
job. Be flexible. Be willing to take jobs
that are not exactly what you want, just to
get that proverbial foot in the door. Be willing
to work the overnight, weekend and holiday
shifts that no one else wants.
Look into internships and training programs;
many stations offer them. While an internship
may not give you a paycheck, it will give
you hands-on experience and a resume item.
Hang in there and be persistent (but not obnoxious).
The maxim in sales is that it takes 30 "no's"
to get one "yes."
