Jobs In TV

The TV is perhaps the most powerful type of communication medium since it commands both visual and audio.  It is no wonder why several defiant personalities strive for jobs in TV as well as camera "exposures" despite the stiff competition.  Landing a TV job require more than luck.  Employers expect new hires to be more than responsible, knows how to maximize the media technology, creative, and can "make things work".

However, aside from the people we see on screen, majority of the jobs in TV are behind the camera.  You can also choose the type of program you are interested to work in like sitcoms, talk shows, dramas, TV movies, game shows, newscasts, commercials, and documentaries, but the positions are almost the same.

On-Camera Jobs in TV

A news anchor's position is probably the most sought after job practically since people want to be seen on TV.  News anchors usually have established careers in TV or prominent personalities.  While thousands may want to apply in this position, it is not easy to land on this job.  Media employers commonly just invite a personality to host or anchor in a news program.  Other on-camera jobs are weathercaster, sports anchor, news reporters, and sports reporters.

Behind Camera Jobs in TV

Behind camera jobs in TV can be further divided into two: production-technical and general-admin, support.  Production-technical positions include camera, lighting, sound, art, editing, and engineering.  It is easier to land in one of these jobs because the work revolves mostly in technical work.  However, new hires are required to have in depth knowledge of technical and problem solving skills to fill in key positions since "assistants" have almost been replaced by digital and video technology.

General jobs in TV involve admin and support positions whose roles include news director, assistant news director, executive producer, assignment editor, news producer, video editor, graphics specialists, production accountant, production manager, lawyer, or PA.     

These people behind the cameras fill quite important roles in the production of TV programs.  Any failures from the technical and behind camera aspects contribute highly to the success of a show.

One significant element to land jobs in TV is a college degree.  One study concluded the importance of finding jobs in TV if an applicant has a college degree in broadcast journalism/mass communication or technical and engineering courses.  It was also noted that almost half of the unemployed in the U.S. are high school dropouts while college graduates comprise only 4% of it.