If you find broadcast journalism exciting, you may wonder what it takes to become a news reporter or anchor.
On the surface, it may look like an easy enough job. How hard can it be to sit behind a desk and read news stories, right? Plus, you’d become something of a local celebrity.
But that’s a gross oversimplification.
What Does a News Reporter or Anchor Do?
Obviously, it’s so much more than sitting behind a desk and reading. As a news reporter, you do research and conduct interviews to investigate news stories. Then you find a way to share the information in an accurate but interesting way.
You also contribute to articles and features related to any story you’re assigned. Furthermore, you must be able to determine the accuracy of any facts you gather and work with editors and producers to create on-air reports.
News reporters and anchors often work under tight deadlines and there are times you’ll need to conduct follow-up reporting on your stories. You will also need to have some familiarity with operating the technical and recording equipment needed for covering stories live and in the field.
Even if you’re able to do all of that, becoming a top-notch news reporter ultimately comes down to skills.
The Skills You Need to Become a News Reporter or Anchor
If you’ve read this far and think, ‘Yeah, I can do this,’ the next step is to ensure you have the necessary skills.
First and foremost, you must have great communication, interviewing, and public speaking skills. Meanwhile, when you’re not on camera, you’ll need to possess advanced research and writing skills as well as creativity and storytelling abilities.
The most successful news reporters and anchors know how to work well under pressure, meet deadlines, manage their time, and pay attention to detail. The ability to problem-solve and to work well on a team are also essential skills. You’ll also need an understanding of journalistic best practices and ethics – which will become more attuned with education and time working in the field.
So Then What Does It Take to Become a News Reporter or Anchor?
Most news reporters receive a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or a related field. The programs in these degrees offer priceless knowledge and experience in reporting, writing, and broadcast practices and ethics.
While you’re still in school, you’ll want to start building a portfolio you can present to hiring managers once you graduate. As the top news talent agents can tell you, broadcast journalism is a highly competitive field. So you’ll need to create a body of work to present to hiring managers.
Consider beginning with student broadcasts that will enable you to get on-camera and in-field clips you can use in your portfolio. If you’re able to snag an internship or even land employment at a small or local news network while finishing your degree, grab it. You’ll be presented with a variety of opportunities and gain valuable experience working with professionals in the field.
In essence, get as much broadcasting experience under your belt as possible so that your portfolio material and resume make a statement. This will also be key in acquiring an agent when the time comes.
Finally, never underestimate the importance of networking. Connect with industry professionals and influencers whenever the opportunity arises. This includes broadcast professionals, editors, producers, and writers. Building a strong social network will increase your chances of finding work and could lead to exciting opportunities in the future.
Do You Have What It Takes?
If you’re ready to embark on the exciting journey to become a news anchor or reporter, we hope the information in this article helped and we wish you the best of luck.
And if you’re already on that path, have some experience, and are now seeking representation, contact us today.
With decades of experience as news talent agents, we have the experience, expertise, and CONNECTIONS to get you noticed.
