Before beginning your search for broadcasting degree programs abroad, you have to answer this simple question: is broadcasting right for you? Broadcasting is a challenging and competitive field, but it can be extremely rewarding and fulfilling. As in every field of study, you must make sure you are ready to handle the demands of a future career in broadcast.
International students who study broadcasting should find programs that offer hands-on experience in the field. Many universities offer students real-world experience in student-produced radio and television stations. In this field, hands-on training and workplace experience is a must to be successful following graduation!
Students who study abroad in journalism must be prepared to jump into the action right away. To see if a career in broadcast is right for you, ask yourself the following questions. Can you…
Meet strict deadlines?
Whether you’re the reporter on the field or the producer in the newsroom, there will always be a time crunch when it comes to working in broadcast journalism. The news is unpredictable; you never know what to expect out of your day. You should just know that sooner-or-later in your day, you will be rushing. Sometimes reporters need to travel far away to cover a story, and get back to the station with enough time to write and edit the video. Producers must make sure they’re putting out the most recent and important news, and sometimes this means changing the queue with seconds to spare.
Handle stressful situations?
Not everything is roses and butterflies in the news industry. As a reporter, you will eventually need to cover a story that will not only tug on your heartstrings, but also make you witness things you’ve never seen before, for example covering a car crash or an apartment fire. As a producer, you may not personally witness stressful incidences, but instead have to handle tense and hectic situations.
Talk with everyone?
The evening news is supposed to be about everything that’s going on in your community, which means that as a reporter, you will often have to interact with all sorts of people, from the mayor to restaurant owners to homeless people on the street. Broadcast journalists, both on the field and in the newsroom, need to be able to communicate with people from all corners of the world.
Multi-task?
Juggling many tasks at the same time is not uncommon for people who work in broadcast. Reporters may need to cover more than one story at a time, videographers will have to edit various pieces, producers are in charge of managing up to 20 stories and directors must oversee the entire process, from start-to-finish. Broadcasting may be right for you if you can handle multiple things and still conduct interviews and look good on camera. Putting a news show on the air is a complex process, which requires all the wheels of the team functioning together properly. Multi-tasking is a crucial skill in broadcast journalism.
Feel comfortable with technology?
We all know in this day and age that technology changes faster than the blink of an eye. The newest gadget of today will be replaced by an even faster, better one of tomorrow. In broadcast, you will need to know how to use all kinds of technology. A typical newsroom contains dozens of computers, news production systems, editing software, many kinds of digital tapes, converters, recording devices, cameras and screens. Broadcast journalism is essentially a technology-based field, so you need to be gadget-friendly. If you are not comfortable dealing with technology, this might answer the question is broadcasting right for you. Simply familiarize yourself with the technology that is out there, learn how to use it and you’re ready to go!
Keep your composure?
On screen, reporters must maintain a professional attitude even in the most stressful of situations. In the studio, producers must keep their cool even in the midst of a newsroom crisis. All aspects of broadcast journalism require the need to keep calm. News is completely unpredictable: You never know what’s going to happen next. In order to best communicate your message to your viewers, you must be able to sound confident and informed.
So, what do you think…is broadcasting right for you? If you know you can handle all of these challenges, then you’re ready to begin your career in broadcast journalism! Find the best broadcasting degree programs abroad to prepare for your career. Discover the best places to study abroad in journalism by checking out the rest of our study broadcasting guide.