Getting a master control operator job.

How did you get your start doing master control operator work, and what career moves did you make to get to your current position?

Do you need a particular educational background?

Seek out the nearest chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers and join it. Then seek certification as a MCO, after which time you should network with your peers there. 80% of all positions in broadcasting are filled by word-of-mouth.

FCC licensing is also helpful. The General Radiotelephone Operators License has replaced the First and Second Class Phone tickets, but the First, Second and Third Class Radiotelegraph licenses are still being issued. Possessing one of those is even better.

If you really want a job in this crazy profession, my suggestion is to accept anything they offer, even sweeping the floors. Not glamourous, but it gets your foot in the door. Then once you're in, do the best job you can and look for opportunities to move up.

In my view, these B.A. in Radio/Television/Firm are as useless as teats on a boar, and those who wave them around are even seen as something as a bad joke. if you wasted four (or more) years buying one of those, stick it in your back pocket and don't let it see the light of day. Unless you don't want the job.

Broadcasting is much the same as it's always been. In order to get in, you have to be willing to pay your dues. That means starting at the bottom and working your way up.

Robert L. Coyle, Jr.

Host said: How did you get your start doing master control operator work, and what career moves did you make to get to your current position?

Do you need a particular educational background?

This is very helpful to me. I am a news freak and want to make a career move in the near future. I am pusuing an online degree in broadcasting and mass communications and to hear you say that a degree in that profession is pretty much useless is crazy, may-be true but crazy. Im not wanting to be the big time 5 & 10 o'clock anchor. I REALLY want to write the news script and If i can be of some assistance in any other behind the scene function.......I'd be thrilled to do so. Despite what you say about the degree Im still going to get the degree. I just hope it pays off some way or another. Again thanks for posting that response.