Newscaster

Newscasters deliver the news to television audiences. If you dream of being in front of the camera (and if you can read), this may be the job for you.

Some Newscasters are responsible merely for reading stories (from a teleprompter, which is like an electronic cue card) that others have written. However, as newsrooms across the country shrink, many Newscasters in small markets (think tiny town versus Los Angeles) are expected to write news as well.

In any case, it’s your job to put a voice to the story, which requires foresight and intuition. That means you must be able to match your vocal tone and facial expression with the story you’re reading. For example, a story about a tragic death should be read differently than a story about a charity ice cream social. An experienced Newscaster knows the difference, and that knowledge sets him apart from someone who’s just reading a script.

Your audience must trust you as a source of knowledge and information, which means you must carry yourself appropriately both on and off screen. Just because you’re off the clock doesn’t mean people won’t recognize you and hold you accountable. Get too many complaints and you may be out of the Anchor ’s chair. The pressure is real (ratings often determine how long you keep your job), but the excitement of being “in the know,” as well as the ever-changing content, provides unique rewards and challenges.