Part 1 of an ongoing series from tvscreen.com

You may be a student, a graduate or in a different career all together. If the concept of working in the world of TV is something you aspire to, if you want television to be your career path, then this regular column can help you find that job.

The fact is you want to be a part of an industry that you’ve had an intimate knowledge of your entire life.

There is no mystery to getting or performing a job in television.

There are a wide range of television jobs that will always exist and will even grow in this industry – even in times when the economy is tight.

Television THRIVES in a Tough Economy. TV and media jobs are numerous and they tend to focus on these main areas:

• Conceiving Television
• Creating Television
• Selling Television
• Delivering Television

The workforce behind these categories expands regularly, and while viewing habits definitely grow to include “internet broadcasts” and content on the web, this trend opens up the job market even more. Television job seekers are in a strong and realistic position. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has forecast steady growth in the broadcasting sector over the next decade.

“Workers with little job experience will find it easier to gain employment in smaller markets or at small stations in large markets” – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Armed with this information, you will come to understand that the television industry is not some exclusive club, but it is in fact hungry for workers on every level, and once you get in the door, you can choose to map out a plan to move up the TV job ladder.

Television, video and related internet media jobs are in virtually every city in the country. These jobs are realistically obtainable when you have and use the correct information. The strategy you need is now in your hands, so let’s start.

Realities of the TV Job Market

The glamour of the TV industry attracts many jobs seekers. Like so many paths in life, only those truly dedicated to following through will reach their goal of television employment.

The good news is that being dedicated to finding a job in TV is easier than it was even just five years ago. Knowing how to properly use all the tools of our modern age will give you an edge. Here’s how you will use this advantage:

• You will understand the types of TV jobs available

• You will realistically target the right job for you•You will train yourself quickly using tools specific (and available), to the job you target

• You will create a powerful resume, cover letter and/or demo reel

• You will use the internet to market yourself

• You will network in every smart way possible in a short amount of time

• You will immediately find where the jobs are

• You will get in the door, stay there and “climb the ladder”

That is how to get a job in television. It’s executing these simple steps correctly – period.

Next in this series:

“The Question of Education in the TV Job Market”

Part 2 of an ongoing series from tvscreen.com

The Question of Formal Education

Later in these articles we will more deeply explore broadcasting programs and schools of every kind. In fact, We will provide a directory of television-focused colleges and trade schools that are likely near you – but there is a big question you will need to ask yourself. The answer depends on where you are at this point in your life:

“Do I Need to Go To School To Get a Job in TV?”

Specifically, do you need a college degree? Without a doubt, this is a life-affecting question. Does a degree give you an edge? Yes, of course, without any doubt. Will it keep you from a job in television? No way.

“But from all I’ve ever heard, I can’t get a job in television without a college degree. How do I even get a job interview! It doesn’t seem possible.”

I’m not in anyway discounting the benefits – and prestige – of a college degree. In fact, all the steps you will take to get a TV job will be much more potent if you have a degree in hand – but a lack of degree will not necessarily stop you.

Beyond giving you a well-rounded education, being in a four-year college will typically allow you to take classes that are based on real-world television experience. The best of these schools will also allow you to work at an on-campus TV station, and/or obtain an internship at a local television facility or related job. This cannot be down-played, but do read on…

Other School Options

There are also technical schools that focus on broadcast careers. These two-year (or sometimes less), “trade schools”, create a television environment similar to what you might experience in college. This means you can still train in an atmosphere that allows for that always-useful “real-world” television experience, depending on the job you target.

Many of these more specialized schools also provide access to television-specific internships and job placement programs.

It is also worth mentioning that many modern high schools do offer media-hungry students access to school-based TV stations, and sometimes very helpful connections to local media facilities.

In many high schools, young adults can start cutting their teeth on video edit systems, video camera operation, directing, on-camera talent and more. Some high schools also work with local TV stations to provide a “light version” of television internship programs.

Beyond School

Training in television can also be obtained by volunteering your services at a local television facility. Many TV stations, especially in smaller local markets, welcome the concept of “free help”. The benefit to them is obvious. From first-hand knowledge, I know that the benefit in this approach are solid and can open doors for you.

Such a position should be viewed as a training ground. Learn what you can. Develop the skills you are looking for and move forward. Many times volunteers will be the first talent pool a TV station or production facility will draw from when looking to fill a paid position.

Next in this series:

“Are Many TV Job Positions Available?”