Your opinion please

[teenreporter]

Hi Everyone, this is T.J. Parker and I am going to be graduating high school and making the transition to college in a few months. I have been accepted to several schools and I was wanting your honest take on their broadcasting programs and possibly which one you would choose if you were in my place. Please don't ramble on trying to persuade me not to enter the news business, but please give me an informed opinion about the schools listed. Also, keep in mind that I am wanting to start reporting at the campus TV station my freshman year, so if you could also let me know which places I have the best chance of making that happen. I have been accepted to Western Kentucky University, Ball State University, and Columbia College Chicago. I am still waiting to hear back from Southern Illinois University and Marquette University.

Thanks
-T.J.

[Who Cares???]

I'm sorry TJ... but, RUN... RUN... RUN... as fast as you can...!!!

EDIT: I'm fond of Columbia...

[east coast producer]

Whichever of those are public schools in the state in which you have residency. It's senseless to pay the significantly higher tuition (and room & board) for a private or out-of-state public school. You'll learn the business by working in the business, so what school you pick is really not that important.

[FrontierMan]

I know you asked us not to do this, but I don't care.

Run far far away! You'll thank me on your wedding night.

But since you're not going to listen to my valuable advice anyway, I'd pick Columbia College. I know a few successful grads who are "living the dream" now. Beware...living the dream to work in TV isn't all it's cracked up to be.

[Bureau Chief]

I dont understand your stance. The bloodbath that has taken place in the media over the last few weeks should be a warning to you. IF you can get a job when you get out of school, you will be paid far less than even entry level photogs are right now. By the time you are out of school, many newspapers that are in print right now will be history...many tv station newsrooms will be dark, merged, out sourced or a shadow of their former selves. Benefits will be a thing of just pleasant memories. And you STILL want to go into news? Just a glutton for punishment huh? Your momma drop you on your head or something? There are many who post right here on this board who are, are about to be, or will be unemployed a year from now. For Gods sakes, go to college and get a skill that will make you some money. Remember, right this moment, there are far far more people wanting to get into news than there are jobs...and it will get worse. This means that by graduation time, you will have to accept minimum wage to work in a newsroom...and there are some right now who are making just barely above that. Ok lecture over. You still decide to do it, dont say you werent warned when you are sitting beside mighty dykerson in an alley somewhere behind a 7-11 sharing a bottle of mad dog.

[Mighty Dyckerson]

Hi Everyone, this is T.J. Parker and I am going to be graduating high school and making the transition to college in a few months.

M.J. Dyckerson here. This business needs more eager young folks like yourself! That's why I recommend you consider Mighty Dyckerson's School O' TV and jump start your career! I think you'll find my rates more than reasonable, so enroll today!

[Spike]

Please don't ramble on trying to persuade me not to enter the news business...

Not smart enough to do anything else, eh?

[TAFKA wacowx]

Whichever of those are public schools in the state in which you have residency. It's senseless to pay the significantly higher tuition (and room & board) for a private or out-of-state public school. You'll learn the business by working in the business, so what school you pick is really not that important.

Absolutely...the cheapest will serve you the best in your future. I know you already have talent and drive to at least get as far as you can in this business, but please do yourself a favor and just minor in journalism/broadcasting and major in something else that interests you that you can parlay into a better position in TV. Remember, especially for someone with your knowledge and abilities, it's not necessary to major in Journalism to become a reporter. Today's reality is you need to have something you can fall back on. By the time you graduate, the chance of you surviving more than 5 years in TV will be slim...not impossible, but it will be a tough go. Plan ahead now, so you are in the best position to make yourself a success!

EDIT TO ADD: I would hazard to guess that you could probably already get a job in TV with your current skillset. The chief met at my previous station got his first on-air weather job when he was still in high school at age 17! And this wasn't horribly long ago...early 90s. Knowing this, focus on college coursework that is completely different to give you an edge in the future. Take a part-time job at a local TV station and move up from there. You (especially) really do not need any higher education to get a job in TV. your higher eduction should be something you use to fall back on IF the job market continues to sour, as it looks like it will.

[Max Schumacher]

teenreporter, I don't know enough about any of those schools to give you an informed response. But I will strongly suggest that you look into their various programs and consider that online is going to be the future of journalism.
Choose the school that, (A) will give you the most well-rounded education, (B) you will enjoy attending and (C) is the place you will get the best web-intensive training. If you only learn to be a TV reporter you will suffer in the long run.
Best of luck to you.
And Go Mizzou!

[News Is Broken]

Any relation to Peter?

http://www.cinemaretro.com/uploads/spiderman28.jpg

[TVMattNYC]

teenreporter, I don't know enough about any of those schools to give you an informed response. But I will strongly suggest that you look into their various programs and consider that online is going to be the future of journalism.
Choose the school that, (A) will give you the most well-rounded education, (B) you will enjoy attending and (C) is the place you will get the best web-intensive training. If you only learn to be a TV reporter you will suffer in the long run.
Best of luck to you.
And Go Mizzou!

I second this (except the Mizzou part).

[LunchPenalty]

My honest advice is to get into something that will always be in demand. Local TV news will not be. Be a doctor, a lawyer, get into law enforcement, be a pilot. Do something sustainable.

[tater]

Heck you could be a fast food manager and make better pay than one man banding it in Podunk, South Dakota.

But what do I know...I got into tv for the fame and to be admired by girls :shifty:.

[Fake Post]

I admire you for wanting to continue into Journalism.

However, if your real goal is to be a tv news anchor, think again. Those jobs are going the way of the Edsel automobile.

I agree with others that the internet is your future. In fact, you may be able to pursue two separate career paths and feel fulfilled in both.

Nothing prevents you from starting your own news website, covering the news YOU want to cover and figuring out how to make a living doing it. Meanwhile, you can also work a regular professional job to pay the bills. Want to be an anchor? You can do so with a webcam, a cheap light kit and your own personal teleprompter.

Good Luck!!!

[Jimmy Conway]

Some schools have very reputable programs for one reason or another. The thing you have to find out is how much experience will you get at that school? Sometimes the bigger programs won't allow underclassmen the opportunities that upperclassmen get. You may find that one of those listed schools would give you an opportunity to gain hands on experience right away. That's huge, in my opinion.

Choosing a school is a big thing, but not really for it's broadcasting program. Consider what type of social life you live/want to live. Do some research, talk to students at those schools and find out what they do for fun. Granted, college is all about what YOU make it, some environments are more suitable to your personality than others.

College is a great time. Meet as many people as you can and don't forget to have fun.

[overthehill]

Hey TJ,

Congrats on being accepted to those universities. All three have strong broadcast programs. Ball State is especially strong in multimedia. SIUC is also good. Hope you hear good news from them. Columbia is very hands on. My most recent grad assistant went to Western Ky and succeeded quite well.
You can't go wrong with any of them. (I don't know enough about Marquette, sorry).

Have you thought about staying close to home? At WIU or Quincy?

The industry is going through a terrible time right now. Perhaps in four years time, with determination, skill and some good luck, things will be better for you in the college class of '13! (My gosh that sounds a long way away).

OTH

[MyracleMan]

EDIT TO ADD: Sorry, I know you told us not to, but I can't help it...

Take the advice from the people who have been in this business and have seen the direction it has gone in the last ten or so years... and do something more meaningful with your life.

News Directors are replacing the term 'one-man band' with 'video journalist,' but they're essentially the same thing. Fresh out of college, you'll be faced with stiff competition for the very few jobs available. And you'll be making less than the Assistant Manager at the local McDonalds. Even teachers, long regarded as some of the lowest paid workers in the nation, make more right out of college than reporters do. They make more, on average, than reporters do, even five years out.

On that pittance of a salary, you'll have to pay rent, student loans, and utilities. Even with the meager benefits you'll get with your salary, you better pray you don't ever have a car accident, break a bone, or even get the sniffles... doctor bills can eat up your income real quick.

Unless you have a rich mommy and daddy who are going to help you out with a check every month, get used to living the same lifestyle you'll become accustomed to in college: Ramen, mac & cheese, hot dogs, the same crappy car for the first five years you're out of school... you get the point.

BC said it right... a lot of newsrooms that are open right now will be dark, merged, outsourced, or shadows of their former selves in four years' time. On average, right now, there are ten applicants for every one open reporter position. Imagine how bad that will be four years from now.

And relationships... they're work when you both have an 8-5, M-F job. Think about how much time you'll spend away from your loved ones, working odd hours, on holidays, on call all the time and not getting paid any more for it... I can't tell you how many times inthe four short years I've been married my wife has gone on vacation without me because I've had to work at my 'glamorous teevee job.'

Teenreporter, I admire your passion. But passion doesn't pay the bills.

Think seriously about your career choice. If there's anything else, and I mean anything else, you can see yourself doing and being happy, do it.

I honestly wish someone had told me all of this when I was your age. But no one did. That's why now, at age 33, I get to go back to college... because as far a prospective employers go, my degree isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

THAT SAID...
Go with the cheapest school you can get some real experience in. You'll need all the extra money when you get your first 'real' job.

[bw3508]

T.J.

Entering my senior year of college, here is my advice for you:

1) Out-of-state tuition is an absolute joke, stay local if possible.
2) Make sure the program you choose offers hands-on opportunities from Day 1.
3) Working with a photographer is typically your best bet for resume tape material, but make sure you OMB stories as much as possible.
4) Consider minoring in PR or another field, possibly even major in something else with a minor in Broadcast Journalism; as long as you have the experience and the tape to back it up, it really doesn’t matter.
5) If at all possible, consider schools with nearby TV stations that aren’t in a major market. You’ll have a better shot at a more hands-on internship, as well as freelancing opportunities if you go to school near a middle-market station.

So far, I’ve completed one off air internship, one on air internship and worked as a freelance reporter for a small cable station for a year, along with reporting for our weekly college newscasts and heading the student newspaper. The economy is clearly a major concern, but I’m hoping we’ll both have a decent shot if we graduate with a well rounded education, experience and a ‘Plan B’.

Good Luck – PM is you have any questions.

[Twitch]

Some advice from someone in college now:

You may find that some j-schools have you learn radio before the TV curriculum. I know TV is what you really want to do, but don't shun the school's radio station because of it. Radio moves at a lot faster pace sometimes and you will learn how to write sharper and faster.

If you're not going to major in something besides broadcast journalism, I agree with the other posters: minor in something useful. History, political science, Spanish etc.

Oh, another thing... Intern. Intern. Intern. Every chance you get. I know you're probably already ahead of your peers, but don't make the mistake of waiting until the summer before your senior year to look for an internship.

Any questions? PM me.

[Randy Steinman]

Great thread.

TJ...

I might add that Twitch is an up-and-comer who gives old guys like me confidence that there is still a future for this industry.

If he's offering you some of his personal insight, don't hesitate to jump at it.

[teenreporter]

Some advice from someone in college now:

You may find that some j-schools have you learn radio before the TV curriculum. I know TV is what you really want to do, but don't shun the school's radio station because of it. Radio moves at a lot faster pace sometimes and you will learn how to write sharper and faster.

If you're not going to major in something besides broadcast journalism, I agree with the other posters: minor in something useful. History, political science, Spanish etc.

Oh, another thing... Intern. Intern. Intern. Every chance you get. I know you're probably already ahead of your peers, but don't make the mistake of waiting until the summer before your senior year to look for an internship.

Any questions? PM me.

Thank you all for the advice. And if I can, I want to intern somewhere as soon as I can! Trust me when I say I want to take advantage of all the opportunities I can get, thats why I did some freelance stuff for a while.

Thanks
T.J.

[Gail sirens]

Some advice from someone in college now:

You may find that some j-schools have you learn radio before the TV curriculum. I know TV is what you really want to do, but don't shun the school's radio station because of it. Radio moves at a lot faster pace sometimes and you will learn how to write sharper and faster.

If you're not going to major in something besides broadcast journalism, I agree with the other posters: minor in something useful. History, political science, Spanish etc.

Oh, another thing... Intern. Intern. Intern. Every chance you get. I know you're probably already ahead of your peers, but don't make the mistake of waiting until the summer before your senior year to look for an internship.

Any questions? PM me.

Minor in something useful like history, political science, Spanish.
Yeah, those will all help you transition to another industry!!

[Spike]

Minor in something useful like history, political science, Spanish.
Yeah, those will all help you transition to another industry!!

I don't think Twitch quite understands the concept.

[Cheeky]

Some advice from someone in college now:

Teen, lesson numero uno: Don't take advice from someone in college.

minor in something useful. History, political science, Spanish etc.

Teen, lesson numero dos. Don't take advice from someone in college.

No need to minor in history or Poli Sci. You will learn all you need in your basic undergrad courses (if you don't already have a handle on what was what and why it happened, depending on your political viewpoint or the Texas State Board of Education) ;)

Follow your heart, but buffer it with some business sales/marketing/management courses. PR wouldn't hurt either. With a dash of Spanish :)

~Cheeky

[Randy Steinman]

Teen, lesson numero uno: Don't take advice from someone in college.


Cheeky, our young friend Twitch was turning better stories when he was still in high school than many college grads in starter markets.

An example. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZF0Y-uyipg)

Don't be so quick to dispel.

[Fake Post]

Cheeky, our young friend Twitch was turning better stories when he was still in high school than many college grads in starter markets.

An example. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZF0Y-uyipg)

Don't be so quick to dispel.

GREAT effort for a high school student. My response is "O.K. you know how to tell a story. But will the business be there for you like it was for us?"

Two avenues I would recommend

1. Documentary producing.
2. Working at a PBS station and doing long-form packages.

The point that I made earlier is that neither Randy, you nor I know what the tv news business will be like in a few years.

Certainly the Internet will be around. Perhaps you will be working for a news website. Perhaps you will have the entrepreneurial spirit and start your own.

One thing I do know.

News will still get covered. People will still be interested in news. Those who are proficient in shooting, reporting, editing and anchoring will be the most valuable.

[Wise Old Producer]

...says you're getting lots of good advice here.

Just to weigh in.... I totally understand your commitment to becoming a journalist...video or otherwise. However, for your own future well-being, you absolutely MUST realize that the business is going through an unparalleled and seismic transition right now. Too many really good news people are finding that out the hard way right now.

I was at a conference recently where the keynote speaker predicted the end of paper magazines within five years, and the end of local newscasts within ten. Everyone will be getting their news on-line, probably through whatever handheld device has been created by then. Does that mean the end of journalism? No...but it does mean a shift in what you need to know to have a succesful career. Doing it the way this generation has won't cut it.

Choose your school based on your ability to learn how to integrate yourself into a web-based medium. Make sure whatever school you pick isn't stuck in an "old school" broadcast j-school mode that only teaches how to go from Cam A to Cam B. You need to learn to be not just a good writer, but an AWESOME writer. You'll be competing not only with other professional journalists, but also good bloggers.

The other key, as someone has already mentioned, is interning. Intern everywhere. You may be able to start in a newsroom, but the competition for the few jobs out there is only going to get worse. Internships will be your salvation in standing out from other kids who focused just on being college students.

Most importantly, good luck. I'm glad there are young people out there who still feel passionately about becoming good journalists.

[east coast producer]

Teen, lesson numero uno: Don't take advice from someone in college.

Twitch has more major network experience and professional awards than I do.

[Cheeky]

Twitch has more major network experience and professional awards than I do.

This Twitch fellow seems quite accomplished. Twitch, please forgive me. Randy is right. I may have been too quick to dismiss you. I'll have to take a closer look at your work.

WiseOldProducer - brilliant post.

~Cheeky

[east coast producer]

Kids these days, ya know?!

[Wise Old Producer]

This Twitch fellow seems quite accomplished. Twitch, please forgive me. Randy is right. I may have been too quick to dismiss you. I'll have to take a closer look at your work.

WiseOldProducer - brilliant post.

~Cheeky
:o Why, thank you Cheeky.

Truth is, I'd like to spare the newbies out there some of the frustration that we've been through. It would be nice to hope we didn't struggle through for naught.

[Spike]

It would be nice to hope we didn't struggle through for naught.

While they're not going to listen to us, it's not for naught. It'll be worth the entertainment value of seeing them crying and moaning in a few years when everything we've told them comes to pass.

[MyracleMan]

While they're not going to listen to us, it's not for naught. It'll be worth the entertainment value of seeing them crying and moaning in a few years when everything we've told them comes to pass.


And the really sad part of all this is we can count on such entertainment, because that's just the direction this business is going. Do more, with less, get paid less than you can survive on, work horrific hours, and sacrifice all you are and all you have on the altar of broadcasting, all for the pleasure of "working in television."

Too bad they'll realize this too late, and, just like us, end up going back to school five to ten years later to get a real degree that actually pays.

[newsgirl18]

Others may disagree, but I don't think the school you attend matters. I know plenty of people who've done well in this business and they never took one "journalism" class. Stay in-state and intern whenever you can. I second the thoughts on internet based classes though. Good luck.

[Tripe Face]

GREAT effort for a high school student. My response is "O.K. you know how to tell a story. But will the business be there for you like it was for us?"



The answer for twitch is YES. I have traded emails with twitch for a number of years. I agree with randy about his work. I pushed hard for him to get an internship here at my network bureau. The only problem... one of the OTHER networks scooped him up first. Our loss.

[csusandman]

And the really sad part of all this is we can count on such entertainment, because that's just the direction this business is going. Do more, with less, get paid less than you can survive on, work horrific hours, and sacrifice all you are and all you have on the altar of broadcasting, all for the pleasure of "working in television."

Too bad they'll realize this too late, and, just like us, end up going back to school five to ten years later to get a real degree that actually pays.

True, the industry is going through... hmm... rough times, to put it lightly.
"Do more with less, do it quicker, bigger and better!" is something, along those lines, that we've been hearing a lot of lately. It does suck. I won't argue that. We've all seen the "gripe/*****/rant" threads, try to name a profession that doesn't have those and you'd be lying.

I love shooting. I love lighting. And I love editing what I shot. While news is certainly a stressful and taxing field, I have a hard time seeing myself shooting and editing long-form or documentary-style. I could probably do it and get used to it, but the satisfaction of doing a great day-turn works for me.

And it works for others, but not everyone. If you really wanna get into the news bidness... then do it!