Talent Agents and Scouts

High School

Take courses in business, mathematics, and accounting to prepare for the management aspects of an agent's job. Take English and speech courses to develop good communication skills because an agent must be gifted at negotiation. Agents also need a good eye for talent, so it's important to develop some expertise in film, theater, art, literature, advertising, or another specialty field.

Postsecondary Training

There are no formal requirements for becoming an agent, but a bachelor's degree is strongly recommended. Advanced degrees in law and business are becoming increasingly prevalent; law and business training are useful because agents are responsible for writing contracts according to legal regulations. However, in some cases an agent may obtain this training on the job. Agents come from a variety of backgrounds; some have worked as actors or other creative professionals and then shifted into agent careers because they enjoyed working in the industry. Agents who have degrees from law or business schools have an advantage when it comes to advancing their careers or opening a new agency.

Other Education or Training

The Association of Talent Agents offers symposiums on entertainment law and other industry-related topics. Visit its Web site, https://www.agentassociation.com, for more information.