"So You Think You're Cut Out for TV Production?"

by Jessica Groach-Santina
jessica.groach@careertrainingdirectory.com
Career Training Columnist

I earned one of my first TV production jobs with little more than an English degree and enthusiasm. I was working from four to nine in the morning on a morning new show in Reno, Nevada. I was making $5.15/hour. And I was ecstatic.

I quickly learned two things about television production: it’s not glamorous, and most TV production jobs are behind the camera. Barely awake, I’d stumble in the door, and someone would hand me a tape, yelling, “Here, make a copy of this! Hurry!”

Tapes, papers, and coffee flew everywhere. Five minutes before going live to air, we’d get wind of a fire, an explosion, or a 10-car pile-up. Television production is exhausting - and it was probably the most exhilarating job of my life.

Breaking into Television Production

The best way to get started in TV production is a four-year degree in broadcasting, digital media and design, journalism, or any other creative program that allows you to experiment with words and pictures. A degree program with hands-on television production courses helps you build the kind of portfolio that leads to TV production jobs.

Television production is about having great ideas and being willing to work hard. Talent and enthusiasm will take you far, even without a degree in broadcasting. You don’t necessarily need to move to L.A. or New York to land TV production jobs; start in your local market.

Small market TV production doesn’t pay well, but it allows you to make connections while you build your skills. With the growing number of television channels, TV production jobs are on the rise, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And trust me, you’ll never be bored.

Sources:

“Motion Picture and Video Industries” - Bureau of Labor Statistics

About the Author

Jessica Groach-Santina is a freelance writer and former television producer. She also teaches first-year writing courses at the University of Nevada, Reno.