Is it possible to be a television journalist without studying Broadcasting?

I'm currently living in Michigan and my university has a Broadcasting program. The only problem is that it is too concentrated on the technical side (such as audio, video, editing, and copywriting) rather than working on scripts and on-air talent. I'm majoring in Journalism (since I love to write, travel, and communicate with others) and Theatre (to help with the communication and public speaking part). I'm also minoring in Anthropology. It would be a dream job for me if I could work as a television journalist. I'm just disappointed at the program here. With what I am studying, would this be sufficient enough to get a job in media or electronic journalism in today's workforce?

Journalism is a very broad field so the general answer to your question would be "Yes, it is possible to be a television journalist without studying broadcasting".

If you are truly interested in journalism, then it is to your benefit that your school focuses on the technical side. The technical side sets the foundation for whichever field of journalism you will ultimately end up in.

At small local news stations, television reporters usually do their own video/script/editing/etc so it would be necessary to have the technical background. Also, if you are not one of the select few that make it on air, you will have to know how to do all the technical aspects so you can work in a different area of journalism, such as in production.

Even though your school is focused on the technical side, if you are interested in becoming a broadcast journalist, be sure to attend the workshops at your school which will teach you about on-air voice improvement/appearance.

It sounds like you are quite intelligent and are focused in your academic track on the path to journalism. Just one bit common-sense advice is that you should take coursework in the field of journalism you hope to work in. For instance, if you are interested in becoming a foreign correspondent, then you should take classes in international relations or join Model UN. If you are interested in the human-interest side of news, perhaps some coursework in sociology.

Based on friends who have successfully pursued journalism-related careers, the key to getting your foot in the door after you graduate is to do a relevant internship - and make good connections in order to network after you graduate. If you want to become a local news anchor, then do an internship at a local news station - preferably the one at which you want to work. However, if you are looking to go national, then apply for an internship at NBC or CNN.

Don't worry too much about technical aspects of your program. Those are essential skills for your field. Also, if you change your mind about being a broadcast journalist, that is normal too. Many people who intend to work in broadcast change their minds and go into production/electronic journalism/public relations/etc. The possibilities are great in your field. Best of luck :)

According to the interviews the US Dept of Labor has done on news anchors, news reports, and correspondents, you're in the right major :

Most employers prefer people with a bachelor’s degree in journalism or mass communications, but some hire graduates with other majors. They look for experience at school newspapers or broadcasting stations, and internships with news organizations. Large-city newspapers and stations also may prefer candidates with a degree in a subject-matter specialty such as economics, political science, or business.

What will help you get a job?

Employers report that practical experience is the most important part of education and training. Upon graduation many students already have gained much practical experience through part-time or summer jobs or through internships with news organizations. Most newspapers, magazines, and broadcast news organizations offer reporting and editing internships. Experience as a stringer or freelancerâ€"a part-time reporter who is paid only for stories printedâ€"is advantageous.

Unfortunately, competition is stiff in metropolitan areas, and you've probably noticed there's been a great deal of consolidation in the media, so there's fewer organizations to work for...