Additional Information
High school courses in electronics, computer and theater arts can help
prepare you for this career. Algebra and other advanced math and physics courses
are also helpful.
Post-secondary training can be obtained at community and technical colleges.
One-year certificate programs or two-year associate's degrees are options.
You can open additional doors in this field by earning a bachelor's degree
in subjects related to broadcast technology and computer networking.
Although school training can prepare you well, even more is learned on
the job. Some people enter this field as a second career after being introduced
to new technologies at their jobs. Many cross over from phone company careers.
Jessica Rye is a broadcast engineer in Wichita, Kansas. After high school,
she completed a 17-month electronics technician program at the Wichita Technical
Institute.
"I would recommend that someone attend a four-year college to acquire
something like an electrical engineering degree [with a] business or communications
minor if you want to be able to become management or even move to a more powerful
position, probably making more money," says Rye.
"For me, attending a technical college that covers basic electronics
and also communications was a perfect start," says Rye. "In order for me to
move up the ladder, I feel as if I need to go get an electrical engineering
degree, along with some communications classes and business management classes."
Most employers don't require certification. But certifications can increase
your chances of getting hired. The Society of Broadcast Engineers offers certifications
in areas such as broadcast engineering and broadcast networking.
"This is becoming more and more of an IT-based world, so anything you can
do to gain knowledge and experience in IT, and especially in how IT relates
to broadcast, is worthwhile," says Peter Gillespie. He works for a broadcast
engineering association.