Foot in the Door in Sports Broadcasting?

Question

Besides an intership, how are there was to get your foot in the door as a sportscaster? I have experience in journalism, with working with my school TV and radio programs. I just have not had a chance to show any one the skills I have. If anyone knows a way to make it happen please let me know.

Answer 1

"Mentoring Gives You an Insiders Edge Over Others"

Becoming a broadcaster at any level is not easily navigated on your own, and takes much more than luck. It takes hard work, dedication, determination – and access. Access to the principal decision makers. Access to top executives, other influential broadcasters, producers, and directors in order to improve your chances for success. Resumes and audition tapes alone won’t do it anymore.

You certainly can attempt to go it alone – a lot of people try, and meet with mixed results. But you don’t have to go it alone anymore. There’s a far more effective way available to maximize the radio broadcasting opportunities that surround you this very minute.

It is to your advantage to seek out those who have gone before you in broadcasting, and utilize their knowledge, contacts, and experience to work on your behalf.

Mentoring provides you two critical components that broadcasting schools and University programs typically fail to provide – access and leverage. “What is a Mentor?”

A mentor is a 'trusted guide - tutor - coach', while an apprentice is a "novice - one who is learning by practical experience under a skilled worker in a trade, art, or calling”.

Your broadcasting mentor is already in the business. Theyll teach you the exact skills required to be hired. They also have their own individual network of contacts, while each one of their contacts also has their own individual network of contacts.

It’s common sense that if a person is properly trained for any job - and has insider contacts within that field - they stand a better chance of eventually being hired. This simple truth applies in all facets of broadcasting, as well.

A radio station apprenticeship allows you to access another broadcasters experience, knowledge, and contacts, and enables you to leverage these for your benefit.

In truth, traditional broadcasting schools or University programs don't intend to deny you access to real broadcasters and a real broadcasting environment. They're just not structured to provide you with insider access to the people, equipment and environment you need to succeed.

Good luck and best wishes to you!