How to become a TV reporter

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by Patti Mcquillen

Created on: May 25, 2008

You need to have skills, education and experience to be a television reporter. Philippa Heap is a reporter for Anglia Television. After I tell you her story, I will provide information from the 2008-2009 Occupational Outlook Handbook. At the end of my article, you will see websites for further reading. Here is the story of how Philippa Heap became a television reporter, and you can too.

"I became involved in the student radio station and decided I liked it so much, I'd try and get a job in the industry." From these early days in her career, Heap continued in her quest of being a television reporter. Her break came when she took a position as a production journalist with Meridian Television in 2000. Her next break came from Anglia Television where she became a television reporter.

Education, training and experience all made the difference for Heap. She recommends those who would like to have television journalism career follow these steps:

Get a training qualification from the National College for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) at the London College of Printing or at a similar one closer to you
Before pursuing a television reporting job, gain experience through a radio, news or newspaper agency
Understand the competition is stiff and experience is crucial
Do not allow yourself to feel beaten; expect problems to arise and deal with them
Long hours are normal; stay prepared

Additional advice Heap offers is the recommendation of a coat, as you could wait where it is cold and for long periods. She adds that a "thick skin," flexible attitude, professional image and a "good grounding in journalism" also help.

In the article discussing how she became a television reporter, Heap talks about the importance of her choice to offer her work for no charge. She did this for BBC and commercial radio. This paid off when, "BBC Radio Leeds offered me a contract when I finished my postgraduate course." After three months, she left and started working for Manchester's Piccadilly Radio.

Heap tells her favorite and worst aspects of her job. Favorites include being on television and that "no two days are the same." "Door knocks," when she must contact people after a murder, accident or negative event, are the worst. She adds, "If you are nosy, being a TV reporter will suit you."

OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK HANDBOOK 2008-2009

A minimum of a bachelor's degree is required. Courses in writing, sociology, political science, history, economics and psychology are essential. Additional courses, including computer science, speech, foreign language and business also help.
Hours, location and salary vary by region, employer, experience and education. Flexibility and availability are crucial. Average salary in 2006 was $33, 470 for reporters and correspondents.
Practical experience is beneficial and in some cases, required. The handbook reads, "Employers report that practical experience is the most important part of education and training."
Related occupations include editors, producers, public relations and writers.
There is little change expected in this industry.