The Hard Reality of Working in Sports Radio
Spending your workdays watching your favorite sports teams, hanging out with top-performing athletes, and providing great commentary for fellow sports lovers – sounds like a dream job, right? While working in sports radio can be a fun, exciting career path, it’s not one that comes easy. Successful sports broadcasters know that it’s about more than just a passion for the game, and there are no shortcuts to the big-ticket broadcasting jobs so many people dream of.
Odds are, your sports broadcasting career isn’t going, to begin with, a role on national sports news or a big-name station. The sports radio field is competitive, with plenty of new candidates joining the fray every single day. For those who are hoping to rise above the crowd and earn long-term success, a realistic understanding of the industry is key.
If you’re considering working in sports radio, here are a few things you should know about the reality of the broadcasting industry and how you can better prepare to reach your professional goals:
Start with a Solid Foundation
First and foremost, a love for sports isn’t enough to make it in the industry. Plenty of people are passionate about their favorite team or sport, but that won’t prepare you to work as a professional in the field. Find a educational program with a specialized sports broadcasting program, so you can build the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the industry.
Be Prepared to Work Your Way Up
Odds are, you have a few favorite sports radio personalities, and you can bet that they paid their dues to get to where they are today. Don’t expect to start at the top; few career paths work that way, and sports broadcasting definitely doesn’t.
Once you graduate from a sports broadcasting program and complete a professional internship, it’s important to keep an open mind towards entry-level positions. While there may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to start out in your dream role, it’s far more likely that you’ll need to put in the time and effort to work your way up.
Keep a Positive, Open Attitude
Many aspiring sports journalists and broadcasters don’t realize that all the radio personalities they hear today are likely the ones that were willing to tackle any professional challenge and do any job asked of them. Especially as an industry newbie, you’ll need to welcome the opportunity to learn new skills in a variety of roles, demonstrating your flexibility, willingness to work hard, and passion.
Start Your Sports Broadcasting Career Right at Be On Air Media Schools, located in Ohio, Colorado, Illinois, and Miami
There’s no doubt about it – successful jobs in radio, especially sports broadcasting roles, are hard-won. Pursuing sports radio jobs requires hard work, determination, and a true passion for the industry, but if you’re willing to put in the time, you can end up working your dream job.
When it comes to standing out in the competitive field, a hands-on education can be your secret weapon. Not only will it prepare you to dive into the day-to-day duties in the field, but education will also show that you’re willing to go above and beyond to learn everything there is to know about broadcasting. At the schools of the Be On Air Network in Colorado, Ohio, Illinois, and Miami, our sports broadcasting students learn from industry-rooted instructors and learn hands-on in their classes.
Learn more about our sports broadcasting program and what sets it apart by contacting us today.