Q: How can I become a SportsCenter sportscaster? -- Mark Walto, Sarasota, Fla.

DAN: I get this question a lot so I've had plenty of time to think about it.

My first piece of advice would be to get a job at a newspaper, TV or radio station in any capacity. Preferably a job that involves writing and reporting. Once you are inside, you can hear about jobs that are opening before anyone else does.

Writing is essential. We write everything we say, so you have to learn how to express yourself creatively and intelligently and knowledgeably on a tight deadline.

If you want to get into broadcasting, start in radio so you can develop a tape -- then people can hear what you sound like and if you are knowledgeable. Constantly update the tape as you improve. Also, listen to your own work and critique it.

TV is tougher. You will have to go to smaller cities to start out.

I'm talking about cities that you have to pull out a map and then squint to find the place. You may get lucky and skip that part, but most people have to do some time in a smaller market before they have a shot at a cable job or an anchor job in a big city.

Writing is essential. We write everything we say, so you have to learn how to express yourself creatively and intelligently and knowledgeably on a tight deadline.

Watch the people who are doing the job you want some day. Figure out how you will fit into that show. What would you do differently? What do you like? What do you not like? In any event, you'll blow your audition or interview if you have not done your homework well on the show you are trying out for.

Actually, I usually tell people not to get into broadcasting, because it is the most competitive job field around. And, of course, everybody thinks they can do it. People don't watch "ER" and think they can be doctors. But people watch Bob Costas host the Olympics or Mike Tirico do a golf tournament or Chris Berman do an NFL studio show and they think, "That's a great job. I'd like to do that. I know as much as those guys."

Sports is a passionate hobby for a lot of people. So knowing a lot about the teams you like may make you feel like you're an expert. And you may be an expert on the Twins or the Steelers. But the people in my profession have to be experts on all the teams. In all the sports. It's a lot of work. And part of that work is appearing on TV and acting like there is no effort in knowing as much about the guy who finished third at the British Open as you know about the center on the Devils' third line. This can't be overstated. You have to know about more than your favorite teams.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. I love this job. If you're lucky enough, as I have been, you can mutate from a fan of a sport or team into a kind of pan-fan drawing enjoyment or entertainment out of a lot of different games and players. And you'll learn how to communicate that enthusiasm to your audience.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Good luck on your job search. I hope you end up with a job in broadcasting that you really love. And in the meantime, write, write and write. And then write some more.