Expert: Elizabeth Adams - 6/17/2011

Question
Hello here is my situation I graduated from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting as top of the class. Not to brag but I will I was teaching instructors things by the end. Since graduating I've had several internships with The University of Penn, 94 WYSP with the Danny Bonaduce show(don't know how I survived that one), and the Philadelphia Flyers. With Penn I was involved with game day Internet broadcasts doing well enough to be made producer all be it still unpaid but there was no room for growth past that. At WYSP I worked hard, volunteered for last minute assignments, arrived early stayed late, edited the daily podcast, filled in as assistant producer, I did it all. They hired the other guy though so dead end. The Flyers had me doing video logging I got to do incredible things there including sitting in the broadcast booth during the games. I was the leader of my intern group but at the end of the season more of the same dead end. I now find my self at a loss I'm unemployed and cant afford to settle for another internship but I cant seem to find that paying gig. My goal is producer but Id take anything right now to start off.

So where do I go from here?  

P.S. Just for more background I did all this while dealing with the loss of several family member and a burnt down house that I am getting nailed for by the insurance company its been almost two years now and I'm still living in a hotel that I pay out of pocket. Things are rough and I fear I burned myself out since I held these internships at one point all at the same time. I would rise at 3am to leave for the radio station leave there at 11am get lunch report to the arena for the hockey games by 1pm get home around 12am and do it all again the next day the weekends were for juggling the hockey and Penn.

Answer
Cory,
 I'm sorry to hear about your struggles and apologize for my delay in responding. The only suggestions I have are ones I'm sure you already know, but here it goes:
 1. Polish up your resume and reel. Use professional help if possible, but look at free career coaching opportunities
 2. Take advantage of social networking sites such as LinkedIn
3. Target your market - Are you required to stay in the Philly area? Willingness to relocate is a key factor in landing many broadcast jobs.
4. Plug in to the online community with sites such as tvjobs.com and tvspy.com for jobs you never know were available
5. Network, make personal contacts at all local media outlets (send a resume, ask about interview opportunitities) and really research the market in which you'd like to work for AP jobs or crew jobs that would at least get your feet in the door
  There's no great formula and I am sorry I am of so little help. Just focus on what you want, consider what you will accept and what accommodations you can make. Present yourself as the best possible candidate for the job, emphasizing your willingness to work long hours, etc...but always focus on your positive experiences at past gigs - what you've learned, how you could apply it at the new outlet, and never discuss the circumstances of your departure from the previous positions.
  If all else fails, there are always TV headhunters. There are agencies constantly looking for good producing talent. Research them and make contact.
  Please contact me if I can be more specific about anything and I wish you the very best.