[blacktreacle]

(Original post by Graduate Recruitment Bureau)
Definitely. Make a shortlist of these publications and see if you can come to a win-win situation.

Can you explain it in details please?
All I am trying to do is to write letters to these publications to see if they will fully sponsor me provided that I will work for them after graduating. Therefore I can only get sponsored from a single company. How likely would you think it would be possible? And, is it more likely to be sponsored by bigger companies like the Independent?

Thanks.

[crazybored]

(Original post by pinacio)
Can you explain it in details please?
All I am trying to do is to write letters to these publications to see if they will fully sponsor me provided that I will work for them after graduating. Therefore I can only get sponsored from a single company. How likely would you think it would be possible? And, is it more likely to be sponsored by bigger companies like the Independent?

Thanks.

I have absolutely no idea what GRB is talking about - I'm not aware of ANY magazine that would sponsor someone's degree, quite simply because there are enough wannabe journalists out there that they can afford to pick and choose who they want to hire.

This is why journalism is such a difficult area to get into - the supply of aspiring journos completely outstrips demand.

Also, and I mean this is the nicest way, most magazines want trained, experience journalists (emphasis on the experienced) - they're not going to pay thousands of pounds on someone whose journalistic ability is pretty much unproven.

Don't give up on the journalism dream but I think you're going to have to find some other way to pay for your degree.

Sorry to be a downer..!

(Original post by Graduate Recruitment Bureau)
Definitely. Make a shortlist of these publications and see if you can come to a win-win situation.

Are you actually basing this on anything??

[blacktreacle]

(Original post by crazybored)
I have absolutely no idea what GRB is talking about - I'm not aware of ANY magazine that would sponsor someone's degree, quite simply because there are enough wannabe journalists out there that they can afford to pick and choose who they want to hire.

This is why journalism is such a difficult area to get into - the supply of aspiring journos completely outstrips demand.

Also, and I mean this is the nicest way, most magazines want trained, experience journalists (emphasis on the experienced) - they're not going to pay thousands of pounds on someone whose journalistic ability is pretty much unproven.

Don't give up on the journalism dream but I think you're going to have to find some other way to pay for your degree.

Sorry to be a downer..!



Are you actually basing this on anything??

Hey, thanks for the advice and don't feel sorry for that because I really appreciate it! Your argument seems really reasonable. Do you think I should not waste my time on writing to these publications then? Well I would not mind working in some other industries (and doing a NTCJ course meanwhile) before I enter the journalism sector. Shall I write to some companies that are likely to sponsor? Geography has a wide range of employers anyway! What companies do you suggest? Thanks again.

[CherryCherryBoomBoom]

With the rejections I keep getting from journalism courses, I'm not sure I want to be a journalist anymore. I feel like I'm all that good at writing

[Mr.Grieves]

First of all, thanks for the great article; it's been really helpful.
I've been considering getting work experience for a while at one of my local papers, but I'm aware that I may be rejected or made to do mundane work like maing tea or shredding files, which of course wouldn't help me understand the industry any better.
I'm only 17 and I feel I may not be taken seriously. Would it be advisable to wait until I'm 18 and legally an adult before I try contacting papers for experience? I'm currently in my first year of college.

Could anyone with experience offer their opinion?

[crazybored]

(Original post by pinacio)
Hey, thanks for the advice and don't feel sorry for that because I really appreciate it! Your argument seems really reasonable. Do you think I should not waste my time on writing to these publications then? Well I would not mind working in some other industries (and doing a NTCJ course meanwhile) before I enter the journalism sector. Shall I write to some companies that are likely to sponsor? Geography has a wide range of employers anyway! What companies do you suggest? Thanks again.

I know absolutely nothing about the geography sector but at a guess, you'd probably be more likely to have luck writing to employers within that industry - it's hard enough to get a journalism work experience working for free!

Having experience in the geography industry might well put you in an advantage in the long run if that's the area of journalism you want to go into as you'll develop a lot of specialist knowledge which others apply for the same journalism jobs won't have.

Just making sure you keep writing at every opportunity - blogs etc are fine but nothing beats published work to show you're really serious about being a journalist.

Good luck!

[ellie_flower]

HOW DO I GET WORK EXPERIENCE AT THE GUARDIAN OR ON A NATIONAL? All of my friends have managed to secure one or two week placements at top nationals. I have never got a reply and I'm going to keep applying but there MUST be something I'm doing wrong.

As far as I know I'm just as engaging and lovely as my friends are (!) Please help/advice/anyone?

[Formia]

Hi again, I was just wondering what all of you did when you first started your blogs to get traffic?

And is there anywhere on this site where you would be able to get feedback on an article?

Thanks.

[pannacotta1989]

Hi there, does anyone know of how much work experience is needed to get onto the City University Broadcast journalism course? I know I'm really late in the game but i dont start hospital radio until January, and have two placements (hopefully)for a few weeks after with Adfero, local newspapers, specialist news publications. I have also started to write a blog. Over Christmas I'll be applying for everything from BBC to Sky to Reuters etc. But I assume I wont get a chance until spring summer. Yet I hear you have to apply to city asap. Any ideas on how much experience is necessary and how many places they take for this course. Have I left it too late? Thank you.

[ismah]

My opinion is that breaking into the newspaper market doesn't quite differ from that of the magazine market. I have been freelancing for both markets after completing my Journalism course from the writers bureau and I can state with confidence that both are easy markets to break into - but only if you understand the rules.

A newspaper has segments - including feature (soft news) columns with articles equivalent to those of the magazine market and this is where start ups will find easy starting from.

If you intend to take up hard news at your first shot, you must master the process of building contacts clearly so that you don't run out of news items or play second fiddle to sharp journalists. You might also want to consider starting with tip-offs. When you become regular with your updates, the editor might just spot you.

As it is well to acquire academic qualifications for general purposes, lacking one can't hinder you in this profession. All you need good command of English and determination then you are good to go.

[Alex Warren]

http://www.journalismjobs.co.uk/ I think you know about this site, anyway.... probably you can find something interesting there.

[Sheldor]

For work experience, will something you do in high school be taken into account?

Posted from TSR Mobile

[GreenJean]

Hi all-

Just thought i'd post to anyone who needs help or advice in getting a job. The National Careers Service is free and you can call their help line and speak to real people, for free, and ask them questions about getting a job in your desired field (journalism or otherwise).

http://bit.ly/XFvOaz here is a video that sorta explains how they help. This video is geared towards an older person but the service itself is for everyone, looking for any job.

Hope this helps!

[Anna.Karenina]

I'm a journalist/blogger for four publications. Quote me if you have any questions

[Suzanne123]

(Original post by Anna.Karenina)
I'm a journalist/blogger for four publications. Quote me if you have any questions

Can I ask for what publications and how did you get to write for them?

[Anna.Karenina]

(Original post by Suzanne123)
Can I ask for what publications and how did you get to write for them?

Essex/Thurrock/East London Enquirer - two week school work experience and was asked to keep on contributing. My contacts there led to YourThurrock. The editor of YT then motivated me to go out for the Huffington Post. I was then contacted by an editor of an upcoming magazine called Bull!tt HD and started writing for them.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Suzanne123]

(Original post by Anna.Karenina)
Essex/Thurrock/East London Enquirer - two week school work experience and was asked to keep on contributing. My contacts there led to YourThurrock. The editor of YT then motivated me to go out for the Huffington Post. I was then contacted by an editor of an upcoming magazine called Bull!tt HD and started writing for them.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Okay thanks.

[LeeGend]

Hey, for a career in journalism would an undergraduate degree that included English be significantly beneficial? I ask because I'm trying to pick between English and History or History and Ancient History and this might be a factor. Thanks!