Media and Entertainment

• Oral and Written Communication
• Research
• HTML and Adobe Creative Suite
• Creativity
• Networking
• Social Media
• Dedication
• Resilience
• Storytelling
• Design
• Project Management
• Multimedia Production/Editing

Consider a graduate degree or certificate program, such as in Communication, International Media, or Digital Media. Use Petersons to search for information about degrees and certifications for this industry.

Because this industry changes so quickly, it is extremely important to know current industry trends. This is essential to starting your career in entertainment or media.

1. Get involved with the Office of Student Media, such as by writing for your student newspaper
2. Be your own publisher, such as by blogging on subjects of interest
3. Do at least one internship in your industry of interest before graduation
4. Join a professional association related to the career in which you are interested. See the Associations Unlimited database for a full list of professional associations.

Industry Research

• Vault's Career Insider: Select the Guides tab and search for Career Guides for Media, Entertainment, and Journalism Careers
• Wetfeet Entertainment and Sports
• Wetfeet Journalism and Publishing

Experiential Learning

• Handshake
• Mason's Office of Student Media
• Entertainment Careers

Job Search

• Playbill
• Backstage 
• Showbiz Jobs 
• Handshake
• Media Bistro 

Professional Associations

• Independent Film and Television Alliance
• American Society of Newspaper Editors 
• Association of American Publishers
• American Society for Magazine Editors
• Society of Professional Journalists

Actors portray a character either on stage, on film, or another media. Some actors work in theme parks or perform for other live events. Typically no degree is required, although some college can certainly be helpful.

To become a dancer, you must receive a special kind of training within your type of dance (tap, ballet, modern, jazz). Traditionally, choreographers are former dancers. Both use movement to express ideas and stories for an audience.

A musician creates and performs music. This can be recorded in a studio or performed live, either as a soloist or in a group of musicians. Musicians can be salaried or freelance.

Once the writer has developed the script ,producers and directors work to create performances for audiences. Producers are found in film, theater, and many other entertainment / media positions. A bachelor's degree is typically required.

Production assistants may be responsible for work-from answering phones, handling correspondence, and setting up and canceling appointments, to running personal errands such as picking up dry cleaning and lunch.

Marketing and promotion professionals should have skills in market analysis, research, writing, graphics creation, and be well-organized. These professionals are to market the completed products by attracting an audience. For many, this is a great way to break into the entertainment industry.

Stage managers coordinate all aspects of a theatre company to ensure the successful delivery of the performance – such as managing rehearsals, actors, technicians, props and costume fittings, as well as liaising with front of house staff and the director.

Publicists manage and promote their client's image. They also promote their clients' work and get ad sponsorships.

A script reader is responsible for reading a writer's script and writing a brief recommendation. This is often a low-paying position, but can open the door to other opportunities.

These news professionals report the news to the rest of the world. Whether in print, Internet, or on television; these individuals are capturing the latest news and keeping us all informed. They spend a lot of time in the field conducting interviews, gathering headlines, and following developing stories.

Announcers present information to their audience. Announcers work in many different environments like studios, sporting or music events, news, or specialty events such as weddings (disc jockeys). Some may be self-employed

Editors and publishers ensure campaigns and materials (such as websites) for these campaigns are properly edited and executed.