Do you keep up with the latest news, have good investigative skills and love the idea of being on TV? If so, you may have the qualities needed to be a a great TV reporter.

In our faced-paced society, many look to television news reports to keep up to date on events from around the world and close to home. From international news to community news, TV reports provide a valuable link to current events for their audience. Often referred to as news anchors, newscasters or on air reporters, TV reports can focus on a variety of areas such as news, current events, government news, sports, crime, health, business and even science.

In many local areas, the local TV reporters often cover a wide range of topics. They may become hometown celebrities that are active participants in many community activities. In large markets, TV Reporters can be held in high regard, especially if they present ‘investigative reports’ that help solve problems for consumers or solve crimes.

The broadcast journalism field can be highly competitive, especially in national or larger markets. This high level of competition requires job candidates to have the right ‘look’, the proper educational background and often experience. The job often requires working unusual and long hours in order to meet strict deadlines and may require a high volume of travel for the top national jobs. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos088.htm

The job prospects for TV reporting are expected to decline slightly according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics due to company mergers and consolidation efforts. National level jobs will be the most competitive and local markets generally provide the most opportunities for new entrants in the field. The salaries for TV reports can vary based on popularity, experience and market. The average wage of a TV reporter is about $51,000, and generally range between $20,180 and $156,000. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos088.htm

Most employers in the broadcast field require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in mass communications, journalism, broadcast journalism or similar degree for most TV reporting jobs. For specialized reporting, it is helpful to have a degree in top you are covering. For example, if you are covering government related subjects, it is helpful to have a degree in political science, or if you are covering business news, you should have a degree in economics or a business related degree. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos088.htm If you desire, you can go for a master’s degree or Ph.D., but select one that focuses on preparing you for a news career rather than one that prepares you to teach in the field.

In the United States there are over 1,500 colleges or universities that offer degrees in fields related to TV reporting, however only about 100 are accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. When selecting a college, you should focus on accredited programs to help provide more weight to your education. While in college, select classes that will prepare you for on air reporting such as communications, production, speech and journalism.

Take every opportunity you can while in college to gain practical experience. Look for internships at television stations, participate in your college media outlets and consider part-time jobs or summer jobs at news organizations. Having actual experience on your resume can be critical to landing your first job as a TV Reporter.

Getting your ‘foot’ in the door and starting your career as a TV Reporter can be a tough task due to the high level of competition.

‘’Image’’ Image is important on television. Make sure you have an appealing hairstyle, well-fitting clothing suitable for on-air appearances, know how to apply makeup and are in-shape. The reality in the on-air world is that candidates who ‘look the part’ will get the job before those with ‘potential’. Try to model the image you see of respective TV reporters, especially ones who are already successful at the location you want to work.

‘’Resume’’ Craft a paper resume and a resume tape that will impress potential employers. Distribute your resume pack to smaller markets where there are vacancies, or where you would like to work. Be prepared to move based on job availability. Don’t be afraid to start small because you can often learn more because you will be responsible for more phases of production and you can gain experience while not being overly impacted by your mistakes.

‘’Interview’’ When you are called for an interview, be prepared to conduct a taping session. The interview will often include sessions with multiple individuals at the station and they will want to see you in action on a live set. They may ask to you cover a local news event as a ‘live’ test as you move through the interview process. Display professionalism and enthusiasm throughout every step in the process. You will probably be required to write your own copy during a live test, so be sure to show how you can connect with your audience through accurate, yet entertaining words.

The best way to move up to larger markets as a TV Reporter is to perform you current job beyond the station expectations. We’ve all seen TV reporters that seem destined for a bigger market, it is your job to become a superstar, even in a small market. Develop an on-air personality that people enjoy watching and that connects to a wide range of demographic characteristics. As your local following grows, you will grab the attention of TV news producers in larger markets.

Dedicate yourself to industry networking. Consider attending broadcast journalism conferences to help make connections with professionals in other markets. Good connections can help you know where a TV reporting position may be opening up. If you have specific markets where you would like to work, proactively submit your resume pack, with samples of your on-air commentary directly to the stations where you would like to work. Even if they do not have an opening, they will remember you if your work shines the next time they are looking to make a change to boost ratings.

Always keep learning and perfecting your skills as a TV Reporter. Watch the top professionals in your specialty and keep up to date on current events and important news categories. You should also consider working with a voice coach to help perfect your presentation and speaking voice. Better skills and knowledge will help you advance your career as a TV reporter.