Career Help

[808Hornetsfan]

So I've been looking at a few community colleges lately that carry some classes that I'm interested in. You see, I've always dreamed of becoming a sports commentator for ESPN or some other network. I know there are certain degrees you must have in order to be qualified for a job, so does anyone know exactly which courses I should be taking to prepare, as well as which degrees I will need to accomplish my goal. I don't have the option of going to a four-year college, so I'll have to complete my education at a junior college either in Hawaii or somewhere on the West coast. I'm also not sure of which college courses are the ones you take to become a TV commentator. Any info would help me a lot...

 

[Opal]

You can major in Sportscasting at some schools.

 

[808Hornetsfan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Camby23Land @ Jun 20 2007, 04:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You can major in Sportscasting at some schools.</div>that's the word I was looking for! Sportscasting, I wonder if a lot of schools have that course?

 

[noballer08]

My guess is that you can take telecommunications courses... I don't know of any schools that offer them, but find out from your counselor.

 

[808Hornetsfan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (noballer07 @ Jun 20 2007, 04:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>My guess is that you can take telecommunications courses... I don't know of any schools that offer them, but find out from your counselor.</div>okay, and what about classes that I should be taking in high school?? I don't think there is a specific class for sportscasting... :no1:

 

[Opal]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (808Hornetsfan @ Jun 20 2007, 06:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>that's the word I was looking for! Sportscasting, I wonder if a lot of schools have that course?</div>I know it is getting more popular, you might want to go on the schools you are interested in websites and check if they have that or something related to that.

 

[SpursFan10]

Take speech, journalism, etc.

 

[808Hornetsfan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SpursFan10 @ Jun 20 2007, 04:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Take speech, journalism, etc.</div>I'll sign up for speech, I've already been named the sportswriter for my school's monthly paper.

 

[Justice]

Yeah, in high school try to write sports for your school newspaper (edit: b10, lol) or something along those lines. Also, my school had a weekly (I think it was weekly, anyway) show that they would show on the tvs at school. That would be good to show how you can do on the air, etc. Even if you suck this time around, it will get you some experience.As for college, not every college will have such a degree. Even if they do have something in tv or film, it might not be a really good program. If you're shooting for something high like ESPN, you might want to go to a really great college, get good interships, etc. Just get good experience and so forth. I wouldn't say that a specific degree would get you a job like that, but if you have experience (and specifically, tapes of you doing sportscasting jobs), employers would love that.

 

[808Hornetsfan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Justice @ Jun 20 2007, 05:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, in high school try to write sports for your school newspaper (edit: b10, lol) or something along those lines. Also, my school had a weekly (I think it was weekly, anyway) show that they would show on the tvs at school. That would be good to show how you can do on the air, etc. Even if you suck this time around, it will get you some experience.As for college, not every college will have such a degree. Even if they do have something in tv or film, it might not be a really good program. If you're shooting for something high like ESPN, you might want to go to a really great college, get good interships, etc. Just get good experience and so forth. I wouldn't say that a specific degree would get you a job like that, but if you have experience (and specifically, tapes of you doing sportscasting jobs), employers would love that.</div>great advice! I do need some experience under my belt, and it's always nice to go to an employer and have a long resume of other gigs I've done. Thanks justice! :worthy:

 

[SirLaker]

Yeah, man just do all that stuff. But remember, it's a lot of hard work. For sports casting, you have to start at the bottom (maybe commentating high school games, radio etc) If you work hard enough though, you can make it. :dribble:

 

[BrewCityBuck]

You shouldn't be asking forum kids for career advice, I'm not kidding, get in touch with an advisor in your school who knows the colleges/requirements in your area.

 

[SirLaker]

I agree with BCB. An even better idea though would to maybe get in touch with a professional sportscaster, through e-mail or whatever. If you send them a nice message, I'm sure they will respond(depending who you ask) and just ask them questions about the job, How to start, where to start, what you should do etc. It's not that hard, I've met the Lakers sportscasters countless times at games, even if I'm sitting in the cheap seats. I just went early (hour before game time) and at Staples Center, they are there early at the bar drinking. But for you, just try to get in touch with a professional about it through e-mail.

 

[Justice]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (808Hornetsfan @ Jun 20 2007, 08:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>great advice! I do need some experience under my belt, and it's always nice to go to an employer and have a long resume of other gigs I've done. Thanks justice! :worthy:</div>It's no problem. I agree with BCB though, ask an advisor at your school about good schools for television/sportscasting. Those are just my thoughts on it, though. I would think that if they have an actual record of what you've done... articles, little clips of you doing broadcasting, etc., that would be a big stepping stone. Anyway, I'm done.

 

[Memphology]

Schools have Student Councelers for these type of reasons...go talk to one, I did at my school and she gave me so much information and tips to start the process. If theres a club or something at your school that will help with it, she'll most likely get you in it...

 

[808Hornetsfan]

Thanks guys, I'll get some info from my counsiler... Maybe I should try and contact Chris Berman, he has a house on Maui that's right off the highway about twenty miles from my crib. I think he's a Bills fan too, he has to be!