Education · 1 of 5

The path

No licence, no exam. A demo reel and a willingness to move are the requirements.

  1. 1

    High school

    Grades 11 and 12

    English, drama, media studies. Join or start the school announcements, a podcast, anything with a microphone.

  2. 2

    Campus or community radio

    From age 16 or 17

    Free air time and a real audience. Do this whether or not you go to school for it.

  3. 3

    Broadcasting program

    2 to 4 years

    A 2-year college broadcasting diploma or a media degree such as the Bachelor of Arts in Media Production at Toronto Metropolitan University.

  4. 4

    Build a demo reel

    During school

    Three to five minutes of your best on-air work. Stations hire off this, not off your transcript.

  5. 5

    First job in a small market

    1 to 3 years

    Weekends and overnights somewhere far away. Say yes and learn everything.