What jobs are most available?

There are two job classifications in demand.
Producers. Great producers are in high demand. In fact at this point, even average producers are in high demand. Be sure to get some intern experience with producers. Sample this job. Evaluate whether you will be fulfilled. You can move quickly as a good producer. Here’s a side note. There are plenty of reporter jobs. But there is a mass of reporter job candidates to fill those positions.
A lot of producer jobs == few great candidates
A lot of reporter/on-air jobs == a massive number of candidates
Online producers, editors, etc. This is a quickly growing need. Stations and companies are looking for online editors and managers. I'm not sure that the salaries on online editors and producers are where they should be. But, a few companies are hiring online managers as well. So if you're looking for a hot trend for the next decade, this is it.

What’s the most important thing to know about getting my second reporter’s job?

Storytelling. Storytelling. Storytelling. Those are the three most important things to know. Great storytellers who are hard workers, passionate for their job and aggressive will go far.

How much should I expect to make in my first job?

As little as you need to survive. Plan a budget before you start your search. Know how much you need to make each month. For fun.. add a few extra thousand! If you are lucky enough to be offered more than you planned, go for it!

Will a picture help me get that reporting job?

I’m glad you asked. NO and I hope ALL news directors answer the negative. If you’re hired based on the picture, you shouldn’t have wasted the time and money on J-school. To be honest, I have discarded (put in the HR folder) any resume that came to me with just a picture. Sometimes I also dropped resumes that included a tape and a picture. Your quality work should speak for itself. If a hiring manager doesn’t notice your look on your resume tape or audition tape (lacking a resume tape), then he or she is not worried about it. I could go on for pages about this topic. But, I won’t. Don’t waste your time sending a picture.

Do I need to go to a small market to start?

Many people do. Consider these points as they apply to you.
--What contacts did you make during your internships (yes plural) that can help you?
--Did you use your hard work, dedication, knowledge and aggressiveness to prove to hiring managers where you interned that you deserve an entry level job?
--How good is your first tape? If the content on the tape appears small market, that may be where you go?
--Don’t think just because you’re pretty, sexy, hot, etc… you deserve a larger market.
--How early did you start your search and how long are you willing to wait for the first opportunity? Smaller market jobs are often easier to achieve.

I’m graduating next quarter. When should I start looking for a job?

If you are just now thinking about this, you are already behind. It never is too late in this business. But, there is a threshold where finding a first job is much more difficult. There are so many opportunities these days to really lay the foundation for starting your career in TV news. Here are some things to know:
--Get involved. Even if your elementary school offered a media class (and there are some who do), I hope you wanted to be on the school TV then.
--Middle school and high school programs are a great place to start thinking about having ‘fun being on TV’ (most on-air people have thought that at one point or another) AND whether you really want to do this for a pay check!
--Internships are CRITICAL. Don’t think one is enough. Get involved in as many as you can or your school allows. The more experience the better. These internships are where you will make key contacts for your first job. Someone in those newsrooms knows someone who will hire you.
--IF you are just now starting in the last quarter, start NOW.

When do I need an agent?

The most likely scenario is that you can use an agent to negotiate big market/network deals that are valued well over $100,000 and need special consideration based on the contract language 'they' are asking you to sign. If you’re making less and have to give over 8-10% of your salary to an agent, it’s a risk. Agents should work for you. They should show you proof of their performance in handling difficult situations or challenging job searches. Too often, young people in the business, sign on with an agent after their first or second job. We’ve all been there when you need to money to pay the rent… not your agent. Consider this when an agent calls: “I’ll sign with your agency and give you 10% when you get me that major market job you’re talking about.”

Do I need an agent?

No. You just need to be aggressive and smart in your job search. Really assess what you want. Do a checklist of what’s important to you. (location, job duties, money and how much you need to survive in the first job) Start your job search early based on those guidelines you determine on your list of priorities. . Most of all, be patient. The job won’t land in your lap tomorrow.