To work as a broadcast engineer, you’ll need a diverse set of skills; electrical, audio, and computer engineering are all useful in this demanding field. While a college diploma is not required to work as a broadcast engineer, it is necessary to have the necessary training and skills. Attending a vocational school, community college, or a broadcasting school can help you acquire these skills. A bachelor’s degree or higher in broadcast technology or electronics will qualify you for most entry-level jobs, but a bachelor’s degree or higher will provide you with better employment and career advancement opportunities.
Starting out as an intern or volunteer at a local radio or television station is one of the best ways to become a broadcast engineer. Many college interns who began emptying trashcans or assisting with remote broadcasts quickly progressed to a full-time position as assistant to the chief engineer. Apply for engineering jobs at local TV stations, recording studios, and advertising agencies to earn money while you learn. Working in a computer, music, car audio, or electronics store can teach you how to use a variety of equipment, teach you how to repair it, and keep you up to date on the latest emerging new technology.
You don’t have to limit yourself to applying for jobs in your immediate area when shopping your résumé. You may find more opportunities if you broaden your horizons and are willing to relocate at a moment’s notice for the right opportunity. To work as a broadcast engineer, you may need to be flexible and willing to relocate. Because the radio and television industries have such a high turnover of ownership, it’s not uncommon for a broadcast engineer to work at 10 to 20 stations in different cities over the course of his or her career. If you’re serious about a career as a broadcast engineer, you might find that having your family’s understanding and support in the face of potentially frequent relocation demands is just as important.
Working behind the scenes at a radio or television station may sound glamorous, but broadcast engineering can be a demanding and even dangerous job. Broadcast engineers may work with high-voltage electronics, which they may do outside in inclement weather or under other hazardous conditions. Some people climb antenna towers on a regular basis to perform maintenance, which can be physically demanding. Expect to work 50- to 60-hour weeks, possibly without overtime pay, and to be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The broadcast engineer is responsible for getting the station back on the air as soon as possible if the transmitter fails in the middle of the night.
Smaller media markets have better job prospects for entry-level candidates, so a small-town radio station could be a good place to start. You can work your way up to larger mid-size and large markets and earn significantly more money over time. Even if you’ve settled into a comfortable job, continuing education classes can help you stay current on information technology trends and the latest electronic equipment in order to stay competitive.