From Classroom to Real-World: Preparing Students for the Newsroom

The purpose of this study was to determine the preparedness of college graduates entering the news field. Employers search for the best possible person with the necessary skills and qualifications required to complete the day-to-day functions of a job. In television news, very specific traits and skills are needed to work in the newsroom environment. Working as a news producer at a small TV station for almost seven years, new employees, specifically reporters, would struggle with some of the basic skills needed for their job. Are universities teaching students everything they need to know? How are they succeeding? If they struggled, what do they wish they knew? A survey was created for current television news employees who have at least a bachelor’s degree. Data was collected through a convenient sample. The results found participants felt more prepared when basic news skills were incorporated into the classes they took. They also felt they learned more from classes when those skills were included, leading to being prepared for their future in television news