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Career Prospects in the Media Industry

Career Prospects

Career prospects in the media industry

The ultimate guide for graduates in choosing your ideal career in the media sports industry.

The sports industry, and the media that surrounds it, is moving at such an incredible pace. More jobs and opportunities are available than ever before.

The media landscape has changed almost beyond recognition in recent years following a digital revolution which has paved the way for a 24-hour rolling news agenda. In that time, sports journalism has also developed to become the fastest growing sector in UK media.

Traditional print and broadcast sports journalism, while still powerful communications platforms, are being forced to adapt and change in order to survive in a new and rapidly-developing media environment. As a result, sports journalists are now expected to develop a range of digital and social media skills which enable them to tell a story across a number of platforms in order to reach a wider, often global, audience.

England v Norway - International Friendly - Cameraman filming

Your Career

Sports Television Presenter

Sky Sports News changed the way we consume sports news forever when it launched at the end of the 20th century. Now, viewers expect presenters and reporters on television to have their fingers on the pulse around the world on the hottest sports stories. Whether it’s reporting from a training ground on transfer deadline day or interviewing a player pitchside after a game, the role has expanded.

A presenter or television reporter will be expected to know how to package a story into two minutes of engaging content, source the best quotes and challenge interviewees on live television under immense pressure. Structure and editing skills are also required. Previous guest speakers at UCFB, such as Gabby Logan and Hayley McQueen, have highlighted the perks of the job – interviewing great personalities, attending illustrious sporting occasions – so this career choice is much sought after.

Your Pathway

Sports Television Presenter degree courses

Your Career

Matchday Commentator

Martin Tyler, John Motson, Jon Champion… the list of great commentators just rolls off the tongue. Every iconic moment in modern football history is accompanied by poetic words from wonderful voices. In the 21st century commentary even stretches to Esports, with EA Sports FIFA game now seeing the advance of e-commentators.

The best commentators are constantly researching and full of knowledge – a 0-0 bore draw can be worth watching if the commentator knows the teams inside out. Students at UCFB have the advantage of learning from the best in the business, with exclusive matchday commentary classes headed by the pros taking place throughout the academic year, and live matches being held for students to practice newly learnt skills.

Your Pathway

Matchday Commentator degree courses

Get a Prospectus

Your Career

Press Officer

A press officer is the last line of defence for a brand and a club, staving off bad news and producing good. They’ll ensure positive press is created and set the news agenda within their organisation. If a media outlet wants access to an athlete, they must go through the press officer.

A good press officer in the football and sports industry will have a thorough understanding of their sport, the people that operate within it and how to spin a headline. They’ll also be an astute communicator, whether written word or on camera.

Your Pathway

Press Officer degree courses

I turned to the media side, and I saw that UCFB had a specific course designated to sports broadcasting and not just generic media. Of course the skills are transferable, but to have a direct link to somewhere that I wanted to work made the decision very, very easy.

Ross Grant

UCFB Graduate

Assistant Producer at Formula 1

Your Career

Radio Host

Those who claim radio broadcasting is a dying art clearly don’t listen to the likes of BBC Five Live and talkSPORT. Whether it’s match commentary, live event coverage, news reports, interviews or the consistently fun fan phone-ins, radio covers a huge range of journalistic skills.

Much like a TV presenter, a radio host will be expected to know how to package a story, source the best quotes and challenge interviewees live on air under immense pressure. UCFB students have previously gained work experience at the likes of BBC Five Live and TalkSport to further expand their knowledge.

Your Pathway

Radio Host degree courses

Your Career

Video Producer

Video content is now more prominent than ever, with the likes of YouTube and short social media videos playing a hugely important role in how we consume our video content. Leading football and other sports clubs and organisations are increasingly employing their own in-house videos team to create fun, engaging and informative videos for all audiences. This is on top of the household name broadcasters snapping up the best talent available to expand their growing sporting portfolios.

A video producer is at the front of the action, wherever it might be, and is responsible for bringing the sports industry into the homes of millions. UCFB graduate Taylor Wood now works at West Ham United as a junior video producer, a role he gained while still studying at UCFB.