To become a media buyer, one typically should first pursue a bachelor’s degree at an accredited university. Most often, the path to a media buying job will begin with a communications, marketing, or business track at a university. One will graduate with either a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. To become a media buyer, necessary coursework usually includes advertising principles, communications, media planning, media broadcast and tactics, online and social marketing practices, and a series of classes on calculating the value of media tactics and media space.

It usually is important to select a college with a robust advertising program so that the opportunity to eventually become a media buyer will be available upon graduation. Leveraging relationships the university has established with agencies and media outlets will make the path to become a media buyer somewhat simpler. To obtain an internship with an advertising agency or marketing firm, applicants should demonstrate a basic knowledge of the media process – including how the initial media planning process begins – to how it results in the final media buy.

One should also understand the fundamentals of media buying for different mediums, including print, radio, outdoor, out-of-home, non-traditional, and interactive media placements. It is possible to gain this knowledge in academic courses or by shadowing a media buyer for a short time. Shadowing a media representative for a print, broadcast, or other outlet can also provide valuable insight into the overall process of how to become a media buyer.

Once a basic understanding has been established, the first step to become a media buyer begins by either securing a media internship for a few months, or beginning a career as a media assistant. By performing as a media assistant, one can understand the overall media buying process. Integral to the success of the media buyer, the assistant is responsible for trafficking insertion orders and media placements to various outlets at the direction of the media buyer. In this role, one will begin to understand how media buys are placed as well as the important role that other agency functions – such as creative, production, and account management – play in the media process.

After a couple of years, successful media assistants should have a thorough understanding of the entire media buying and planning process. In addition to this experience, it is also essential to have a solid grasp on the calculation and meaning of media rating points to become a media buyer. Once these skills have been mastered, most media assistants are equipped to move into a media buying role.