Media researcher
Find entertaining and interesting people, places and information to make enjoyable TV and radio programmes.
About the job
A day in the life – Media researcher
What it's like
You would find entertaining and interesting people, places and information to make enjoyable TV and radio programmes.You’d help TV and radio producers. For example, you could research factual information for documentaries or find studio audiences and guests for entertainment shows.In some jobs you might also come up with and research ideas for new programmes.Depending on the type of programme you would:
Discuss programme ideas and the research you’d need to do with producers
Find and check information using sources like the internet, libraries and museums
Search media libraries and archives for music, photographs and film footage
Write briefs for presenters, or brief scriptwriters
Check copyright and get permission to use archive material
Find people for the studio audiences and to contribute to the programme
Look for locations
Keep detailed records
Write content for websites and social media linked to the programme
On some productions you might cast people for roles. You’d call or visit people and record short taster or casting films. On factual programmes made by small teams, you might also do filming with digital video cameras or edit films.
Hours
Your working hours could be long and irregular. This may include evenings and weekends depending on the needs of the production.
Environment
You would work mainly in offices and studios, spending much of your time using the telephone and the internet.
Travel
You may also need to make research trips, which could involve travel throughout the UK or even abroad.
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Creative
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- time management
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- researching
- innovative
- creative
- written communication
- verbal communication
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
English
English and Communication
Media
Foundation Apprenticeship: Creative and Digital Media
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
There is no standard route into this career but many media researchers have a degree (SCQF level 9/10) linked to the type of programme they work on. For example, if you were working on a political programme, a politics or social science degree might be relevant.
To enter a degree (SCQF level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of three Highers. Some universities ask for qualifications to be gained in one sitting.
You can also enter a degree with a relevant Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8). With Advanced Highers, HNC or HND qualification you may enter the second or third year of some degree courses.
With a suitable honours degree and relevant experience you can apply to a masters (SCQF level 11).
Some universities offer an integrated masters (SCQF level 11) combining a degree and masters courses. Entry is the same as for a degree.
Qualifications and experience gained through Foundation Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media (SCQF level 6), Skills for Work Creative Industries (SCQF Level 5) and Skills for Work Creative and Digital Media (SCQF Level 4).
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