How To Get A Job In Media

By: Mason Kaho

Break Studios Contributing Writer

With just a little bit of research you will know how to get a job in media. The media industry typically requires newcomers to start at the bottom and work up. If you have the proper education and are willing to put in the work, your job in media can be very successful.

Get the proper degree. There was a time when a college degree was not required to get your foot in the door in the media industry. But as with a lot of things now, a college degree is the minimum education level required to get a job in media. While in school study communications, journalism, TV and/or radio and hone your skills across all fields.
Be active while in college. Depending on the size of your university your school will likely have a newspaper, TV station and/or radio station. Get jobs in one or all of these areas and learn the ropes at the college level so you’ll be prepared for the real world.
Do an internship. To get a job in media, you’ll want the experience that comes with an internship, which you will typically do after your junior or senior year. Gear your internship toward what you think you’d like to ultimately do. If there’s a place where you know you would like to work, try to get an internship there, as that will help you get your foot in the proverbial door.
Refine your communication skills. To get a job in media you will have to be a great communicator, and that means both verbally and with the written word. This means you should have great grammar, a good vocabulary and you should be very well-read.
Pay attention to the area in which you’d like to work. If you want to be a newspaper reporter, read a lot of newspapers and get a feel for the writing in papers. If you want to be a financial television analyst watch CNBC and money reporters. You’ll need to know the specific language and style of the position you are seeking before you step into the job.
Don't be afraid to do the grunt work. Your first job in media will probably have you working bad hours and doing unglamorous things. Don't despair, many people in this field started the exact same way you did!