It is one of the most commonly asked questions, “Do I need a communications or broadcasting degree to pursue a broadcasting career?”  The short answer is no, but it does come with some caveats.

Plenty of professional announcers have earned degrees unrelated to broadcasting in college.  The Blue Jays Dan Shulman is a prime example.  Shulman took a rather unique path to a big league booth, earning a degree in actuarial science.  While his major did little for his broadcasting career (actuarial science is the discipline that applies mathematical and statistical methods to assess risk in insurance and finance), it was what he did in his spare time that produced big dividends.  While Shulman was crunching numbers in his studies, he also found time to get some radio broadcasting experience in college.

By contrast, the Red Sox Dave O’Brien attended Syracuse University and immersed himself in one of the top broadcasting schools in the country.  The opportunities he received at Syracuse gave O’Brien a head start in what has turned out to be a very decorated broadcasting career.

Two announcers with very different paths, yet two broadcasters that have carved out extremely successful careers.

While a broadcasting degree can expedite the process, it’s clear that it is not a necessity.  That is, if you understand that extracurricular experience is vital.  The advantages of attending a school known for its communications or broadcasting program is that you are provided opportunities to hone your skills. and produce a demo.  If your major is in another subject, seeking out broadcasting opportunities on campus or internships is a must.

Once you graduate, you’ll almost assuredly need a demo tape to land a job.  If you don’t have a broadcasting- related degree, it’s up to you to seek out opportunities to score that demo.