The media and entertainment industry consists of film, print, radio, and television. These segments include movies, TV shows, radio shows, news, music, newspapers, magazines, and books. While a competitive industry that tends to have lower starting wages and long hours, it can be exciting, fast-paced and sometimes glamorous work. Even before the pandemic, all of these areas were undergoing significant changes and disruption to their business models that they were quickly adapting to – digitization of publishing, the increase in smartphones and tablets in accessing and viewing content, and the growth in competition from satellite/internet radio and streaming subscription networks
Due to COVID-19 safety recommendations and rules, the film industry has been particularly challenged in producing and sharing content with viewers. It is important to stay informed of changes in the industry and flexible in order to determine where the opportunities will be coming from and what skills will be needed.
Key professions in film, television and radio broadcasting include administrative jobs such as general managers, vice presidents, office managers, accountants, sales, promotion, marketing, and research managers and creative/technical jobs such as writers, editors, directors, producers, reporters, announcers; audio, camera and board operators and engineers; electricians and lighting specialists, casting agents, location scouts, animators, graphic designers, special-effects artists, and costume designers and stylists. Key professions in the publishing industry are writers, editors, photographers and photojournalists; artists such as graphic designers, illustrators, and website designers; sales managers, public relations specialists, and distributors.
How to Get Hired in This Industry
Media and entertainment professionals use various techniques and resources to hunt for work. Any and all of these approaches are recommended: applying directly to companies, scheduling informational interviews, meeting with employment agencies (third party liaisons in hiring, such as talent agents or temporary work organizations), using general as well as industry-specific employment web sites, and seeking job-search assistance through the Center for Career Advancement and professional associations. Common routes to employment include internships, volunteering, and temporary employment. Because these opportunities are competitive, most are advised to take a position in any area in which one can gain entry to and experience in a company or industry. Generally, the larger and more established employers will list opportunities (internships and entry-level positions) in the mid-late Fall for the following summer. However, this year, some organizations may delay decisions. To learn more, identify potential organizations and inquire directly (and/or through networking contacts) about opportunities and when they expect to hire.
Resources for finding more information, companies and positions:
- Media and Entertainment Trends and News
- Associations, Job Boards and Trade Organizations
- TV and Radio Jobs
- Broadcast Career Link
- Entertainment Careers
- Media Bistro
- Magazine Publishers of America
- 2021 Newsroom Summer Internship Database — The Lead
- Publishers Marketplace
- Book Jobs
- Society of Professional Journalists
- ProductionHub (Film and Video production)
- Mandy – Cast, Crew and Creative Professionals
- Relevant Vault Guides: (available through my Career Center on myBucknell)
- Career Guide to Media and Entertainment; Media & Entertainment Jobs
- Newspaper and Magazine Jobs; Journalism Jobs
- Book Publishing Jobs
- Comic Book and Graphic Novel Jobs
- Recording Industry Jobs
- Writing and Editing Jobs
- Animation Jobs
- Film Jobs
- Music Jobs
- Computer & Video Game Design Jobs
- Radio Jobs
- Television Jobs