Choosing a career in the TV & Broadcasting Industry

By Jade Gilbert

Posted: 03 November 2022

A look at how subjects connect to creative careers.

Setting the scene

Imagine yourself relaxing on a weeknight while watching your favourite show. The show is fantastic; the acting is excellent, the story is intriguing, and the music is perfect for each scene. But did you know that it takes a whole team of people working on set and behind the scenes to bring a TV show, movie, or any other broadcast to life? 

I’m sure you can think of some key roles that are in the TV and broadcasting industries. Perhaps a director, a camera crew, and, of course, the actors! But there is so much more that goes on behind the scenes that you may never have thought could be a career. Here at 4Schools, we want to help you find your future creative careers by working out what could be your best match in the TV industry. 

Creative careers 

Broadcasting is the delivery of media through mediums such as television and radio. Within this industry, specifically within the UK, there are on average 50,000 jobs ranging from series directors all the way to hair and makeup professionals. 

There are lots of different types of careers to choose from. Everything from choosing the set locations, researching, adding special effects, managing film budgets, coming up with new ideas, lighting, sound, wardrobe design,  set design and much more! These are all jobs that people need to do and this industry always seeks out people with a wide range of talents and abilities.

It starts at school

Did you know that the things you learn in class can actually help you on your path to achieving your dream job? So naturally, when we are choosing a future career, it’s important to first consider our subjects. So, whether you're artistic and creative, prefer working with numbers, enjoy writing stories or leading a team, there could be a career in the TV and Broadcasting industry that’s perfect for you.

But how do you decide which path to take? We understand how difficult it can be to decide on a career. You may have already begun to think about this, but if you haven't or simply don't know which path is best for you, we have some top tips to help.

Becoming a screenwriter

Let’s say you already know what role works for you. Imagine that you want to be a screenwriter. This is someone who plays an important creative role in film and television. Screenwriting is an art form, but contrary to popular belief, screenwriters do more than just write. They are resourceful in a variety of fields and work very hands-on from start to finish on a project. As a screenwriter, you'll have to come up with story ideas or figure out how to turn an existing idea into a story, then write a script and pitch it to industry professionals. Once your script has been chosen, you will collaborate with the appropriate parties to further develop it and bring it to life.

What are the key qualifications you need?

Examining the role of a screenwriter allows us to see what skills they would need to be successful. Screenwriters must have great communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills because they work with a wide range of people, including directors, producers, and even actors. They would also need to be proficient in written communication and time management. But how does this connect to subjects? 

Specific subjects in school will teach you the skills required for real-world roles. For instance, if you want to be a screenwriter, you should study English Literature. This subject will help you improve your creative writing, grammar, and overall written communication skills.

What if I don’t know what career is right for me? 

There are numerous roles to choose from, particularly in the television and broadcasting industries. If you are unsure about which role is best for you, consider your skills, strengths, and what you enjoy doing the most. If you are a creative person, you could consider art and design, music, or drama. If you enjoy working with numbers, subjects like math, finance, or information technology may be for you.

By taking the time to understand what you are interested in, we can begin to find subjects that will allow you to develop your natural skills and abilities.  Once you've chosen a few subjects that you're happy with, you can begin connecting these subjects to various types of careers. In the coming blogs, we will focus on specific school subjects and the various roles they relate to. Watch this space for more information. 

Careers Quiz 

4Schools has created a careers quiz to help you learn more about what careers might be a good fit for you. The quiz will ask you a few questions. Some of these questions will perfectly match you, while others will not. You can arrange these in descending order from your closest match at one to your least close match at seven. There are no correct or incorrect answers. This is all unique to you.

Take our quiz and learn about the different career paths available to you. Click here for more information.