Additional Information
First things first: a sportscaster needs to love sports. Having experience
playing sports is great. Study sports -- know them inside and out. But learn
other things too! Being able to bring other information to the job helps.
Also, you need to be outgoing and personable and have a lot of stamina;
you can't sound shy or tired on the air.
So, if you have all that, how do you take your love of sports and make
it into a career? Going to school for journalism at a college or university
is a great start. Lots of colleges and universities have technical, hands-on
broadcasting courses.
Deb Carson is a national anchor for Fox Sports Radio. She recommends seeking
out internships.
"I think it's incredibly important to be able to shadow people who are
currently doing whatever it is you believe you might want to do, regardless
of what field it's in. Not only can they provide you with insight into the
true nuts and bolts of the job, but if you don't get to see the real aspects
of that job, how do you know you really even want to do it?"
Carson says sportscasting is potentially a 24/7 job. An internship or other
volunteering is especially important so people can see what goes on behind
the scenes.
"I've had a lot of young people say, 'I want to do what you do!,' which
I think is great. But they've based that comment on the perceived glamour
they associate with an on-air job like mine. Once they realize that I wake
up at 12:30 am-ish every morning to get prepped for work -- and that's after
doing a few hours of prep the afternoon and night before! -- they only then
realize the dedication one has to have to do the job, and the sacrifices in
social life and sleep one generally makes for a job in a 24/7 medium."