Degree Plan?

[doubly danger]

I am looking for some advice on what type of degree to get. I am currently working in radio doing a lot of technical things, however, I do aspire to be on-air...I have experiance working in smaller markets doing production and talk. I am going to UNT, and have no clue what I should major in. I am leaning away from the basic radio/television degree since I am already working in the field. I want to better myself, and am thinking about getting a journalism degree to compliment my radio work with some solid writing skills. What type of degree looks good to radio management? Thanks for your help!

 

[SniffMyYamBag]

If you are looking to get into this business. Stay away from Journalism and Communications. If you want to be on air, think about the future past radio. Radio will be around forever, but it might be a smart move to major in Marketing. You can take a marketing degree anywhere.

Good luck with your schooling.

 

[DoogieDown1]

I am going to UNT, and have no clue what I should major in. I am leaning away from the basic radio/television degree since I am already working in the field.

I think there have always been two roads you can take. What degree most interests you? Or, of the degrees that lead into higher paying fields, which could you most easily stomach for 3 to 5 years?

I tried both and eventually went with the degree that most interested me. But neither path will influence your success in radio. You'll get the experience you need on the job.

Whatever you do, take your writing courses seriously. Whether it's in an English, a History, or a Journalism course, these are opportunities to polish your writing skillz. If you're going to be a communicator, consider your writing a crucial fundamental. And don't sell back any of your textbooks on grammar, style and editing. You'll be glad to have them years into the future.

One other bit of advice: Use your electives to tour the cool and interesting courses you hear about through the grapevine. Is there an especially funny prof everyone's talking about? What about that ridiculous course where they spend a week studying Madonna?

Oh... and wear sunscreen.

 

[dx7]

I recommend Journalism -- the ability to gather information, organize your thoughts, write well, handle deadline pressures and develop people-skills can open the door to those (few) radio stations that still provide local news and serve their communities.

Should radio NOT work out for you, a journalism degree also can help you move into television news, newspapers, web-based media, public relations, corporate communications, media sales, video production, etc.

I've been in media management for many years and I can assure you that people who know how to write well are hard to find.

All the best to you as you pursue your education.

 

[doubly danger]

Thank you for the advice, I really appreciate it. I am probably most interested in journalism because I like to write, and I feel I am some what decent at it (we will see what other think)...Anyway, in general it sounds like radio management will look favorably upon a journalism degree true or false? Also, my career ambition is to host a sports talk show, so what do I need to do to obtain this goal? I am willing to put in the work, it is something I really am passionate about. Finally, with a journalism degree would it be fairly easy to do some free-lance writing?

 

[KPLEXCOMPLEX]

RTF degress regretably do not offer much in radio,TV. They are nice to have had accomplished something. A Journalism degree is good but its not as strong as it once was,unless you have a Masters degree in it. Degrees in Public Relations,Meterology,and Computer Science are the best way to go,especially if you want a job that pays well. Radio overall does not. As often as it has been stated ,here and elsewhere,have something to fall back on. BTW The field is overly saturated with Business majors.

 

[Robert Bass]

Generally speaking, I wouldn't dismiss the importance of a journalism degree, especilly if you want to become a journalism / communications instructor. A friend of mine has a journalism degree and he landed a journalism instruction job in Irving ISD.

R

 

[Steve Eberhart]

The RTV stuff will be fun and interesting...journalism classes would be good if you have any thoughts at all about moving in that direction down the road. Alternatively marketing and business are excellent choices to major in for someone already in radio. Ultimately management and sales are where the money is for 99% of people in radio and regardless, understanding the other side of the building will always be nothing but a benefit. I would encourage as many classes in Sociology as possible as well (for anyone).

 

[stretcharmstrong]

I got a Journalism degree and I have been working in DFW for nearly 20 years now. My skill set has taken me to jobs in marketing/pr/radio/TV/Video production and sales. I agree with the poster who said that the ability to gather information and spit it back out in an accurate, succinct manner is a great skill that can take you to many different places.
Good luck to you!

 

[Coronaextra]

I also have a journalism degree and have worked in radio since I graduated. I have a two specializations. One in broadcast journalism and one in broadcast production. I wish I had taken more marketing just because I'm both on-air doing afternoon drive and freelancer in voiceover/production. I do a lot of spot writing. A LOT. I've read enough books and studied enough about advertising that I probably have the equivalent of a marketing degree at this point, but I wish I'd studied it in college.

 

[Gopher]

Many moons ago I graduated from a college that doesn't exist (in name) anymore with a degree in RTV and a minor in business. I soon found there were other ways to starve to death than working in radio. I'm in the communication business for the last 25 years, just not behind a mike or a camera.

Only advise I can give is make sure your studies are in things you really, really want to do. Nothing like waking up one day six months before graduation and realizing that this is not where you want to be for the rest of your life.

 

[KERCAlum]

With tongue firmly in cheek, I would say - GET OUT OF RADIO! ;D

I started in radio when I was 16, at a small-market station (so small, we powered the transmitter with a hair dryer). I was on-air almost immediately, but I found there was nothing available to me education-wise unless I wanted to go waaaay out of town and go for an RTF degree. So I switched to journalism instead and got a job at a TV station (again, small market). I did that for ten years before I realized that I wasn't going anywhere, and went into corporate video production. After going to work for a company that offered tuition reimbursement, I decided a business management degree was the way to go. Does that have any impact on video production? Actually, yes, and I would recommend some sort of business degree for anyone wanting to get into broadcasting or production. After all, if you ever get tired or frustrated with your current job, you'll probably want to make a change...and if you don't, a Bus Mgmt degree will help you climb into management a little faster (although from what I've seen, most management has no experience actually doing the job they're managing).