Tips about Broadcasting: Networking

BiB Contributor | George Howell

In order to grow in this business, you’ve got to be open minded, and you must be good at networking.

That brings us to the topic I would like to discuss today. Some people are naturals at networking, and others are terrible at reaching out and making new connections. If you are shy, or introverted, or whatever the case, you may miss out on some great opportunities to learn, grow, or even gain employment in the broadcasting business. Remember, it’s the people you meet who may tip you off to new opportunities, or possibly even be in a position to hire you for work later in life (or vice versa).

I bring this up because many college students miss the mark when it comes to networking. It’s something you should be doing early in your career, and often – especially if you have an internship in a newsroom.

Every semester, I see a new group of interns in the newsroom – and every semester, only a few of them will make it a point to actually reach out and meet people! More often than not, most interns find a safe corner to wait and hide during that first week in the newsroom. They are the ones who miss out. I talk about this a bit in my book Being Green : Making the Most of Your Internship; always be sure to reach out to everyone during that first week – photographers, managers, reporters, producers. Get to know these people, learn about what they do, and show them what you are all about. They will remember your interest and excitement, and may be of help to you one day (or vice versa).

The bottom line – make sure that you are not walking through your career wearing blinders. Being open to new people and new possibilities is crucial to your development and survival in the biz.

Good luck!