SO YOU WANT TO BE A NEWS DIRECTOR?
Tips and resources for making the move

Survey the field
What path did managers in your newsroom or others follow to get where they are? Where did they start and what were the interim steps along the way? Check the annual RTNDA salary and minorities surveys to get the lay of the land.

Know the needs
Check job descriptions for management track positions and read between the lines. See what employers are really looking for by perusing openings.

Assess your abilities
Take a candid look at your own leadership abilities. Online assessments like this one are quick and easy.

Study up
Learn the non-news skills you will need to be a manager. Get to know the ins and outs of spreadsheets and budgets. Consider taking a class in finance for non-business majors or taking a software tutorial.

Find a mentor
If no one in your newsroom can mentor you, attend journalism conferences and get to know people who have the kind of job you want. Ask them for advice and feedback. Find a list of journalism groups online.

Seek training
RTNDF and Poynter offer training for new managers. AAJA has an executive leadership program, and other minority journalism groups also offer training. Northwestern University has management development programs. So does the National Association of Minority Media Executives.

Plan your path
Look beyond the first job to the career path you might follow. Ask potential employers about the chances of moving up. Once you get started, get the RTNDF book, “Ready, Set, Lead” and consult these tips for news managers.

Never stop learning
Read Poynter’s “Leading Lines” and Edward Miller’s “Reflections on Leadership” newsletters (subscribe). As you move up, mentor others.