[Media_Alice]

I do!

I know everyone says its really competitive and I've been having a look online for advice on how to get into it. I'm in my last year and don't know whether to apply for an internship, jobs or do an post grad (my degree is in English).

I would like to know who else is out there interested in journalism and what your plans are?

I also found an event that's happening on April the 25th at City University London, it's called - so you want to be a journalist? It's a one day thing where you can find out loads about the industry and get advice. I've booked my place, is anyone else going to this? The speakers are really top journalists and media people, so I'm thinking a good networking opportunity?
Have a look at it here - http://wannabejourno.co.uk/wp/

[~ Purple Rose ~]

Have a look at this thread

[haz220807]

Definitely worth having a look into an NCTJ course.

[ellie_flower]

(Original post by Media_Alice)
I do!

I know everyone says its really competitive and I've been having a look online for advice on how to get into it. I'm in my last year and don't know whether to apply for an internship, jobs or do an post grad (my degree is in English).

I would like to know who else is out there interested in journalism and what your plans are?

I also found an event that's happening on April the 25th at City University London, it's called - so you want to be a journalist? It's a one day thing where you can find out loads about the industry and get advice. I've booked my place, is anyone else going to this? The speakers are really top journalists and media people, so I'm thinking a good networking opportunity?
Have a look at it here - http://wannabejourno.co.uk/wp/

I'm havingthe same thoughts. Ive applied to City, Goldsmiths, Sheffield Columbia and University of British Columbia and have offers from three and am waiting on two.

A lot of my friends have queried whether its even necessary to do a journalsim masters (im in my final year of history) and I kind of agree with what they mean. This is why Ive applied to other jobs/careers as well. I'm so confused about whether to do a journo MA or not.

Will it be any use? Will we get jobs at the end? Or is it better to just do lots of work experience until something comes up?

let me know your thoughts!!

[crazybored]

You need to do some kind of journalism qualification whether it be an NCTJ, Master or PGDip (MA without the dissertation) - as a working journo, I can tell you that we don't even take on someone for an internship / work experience if they don't have some kind of journo qualification. In terms of news writing, interview techniques as well as specialist skills like shorthand, our experience shows that there's a big difference between those that have, say, a solid humanities undergrad degree and those with some kind of postgrad qualification.

But of course, work experience is vital as well, so if you're doing a full year course, make sure to try and arrange some placements in the holidays etc.

[lauren_a]

I'm planning on doing an NCTJ undergraduate course and entering the profession that way.
It's certainly not the only route though.
However, it's definitely advisable to do an NCTJ qualification - editors often demand it when hiring.

[beefmaster]

(Original post by crazybored)
You need to do some kind of journalism qualification whether it be an NCTJ, Master or PGDip (MA without the dissertation) - as a working journo, I can tell you that we don't even take on someone for an internship / work experience if they don't have some kind of journo qualification. In terms of news writing, interview techniques as well as specialist skills like shorthand, our experience shows that there's a big difference between those that have, say, a solid humanities undergrad degree and those with some kind of postgrad qualification.

But of course, work experience is vital as well, so if you're doing a full year course, make sure to try and arrange some placements in the holidays etc.

Really? 2 people I graduated with now write freelance for some of the World's best publications without an NCTJ qualification...

[crazybored]

(Original post by beefmaster)
Really? 2 people I graduated with now write freelance for some of the World's best publications without an NCTJ qualification...

Without any journalism qualifications?

[beefmaster]

(Original post by crazybored)
Without any journalism qualifications?

No Journalism qualifications at all.

[crazybored]

(Original post by beefmaster)
No Journalism qualifications at all.

Interesting - I can only assume they've either got very good industry contacts (esp as they're freelancers, not in-house) or a whole load of impressive work experience (or both). I'd be interested to know what publications they write for.

That said, I would say that, with the journalism industry as competitive as it is, if it was a choice between two applicants - one with some kind of journalism qualification, and one without, but (for the sake of argument) equal in all other aspect e.g. grades, work experience etc - the vast majority of employers will go for the former.

[beefmaster]

(Original post by crazybored)
Interesting - I can only assume they've either got very good industry contacts (esp as they're freelancers, not in-house) or a whole load of impressive work experience (or both). I'd be interested to know what publications they write for.

That said, I would say that, with the journalism industry as competitive as it is, if it was a choice between two applicants - one with some kind of journalism qualification, and one without, but (for the sake of argument) equal in all other aspect e.g. grades, work experience etc - the vast majority of employers will go for the former.

They had no contacts before. 1 of them went to Yemen independently after university and has covered news in countries such as; Libya, Syria, and Egypt. The other has been wholly based in Yemen.

Publications wise off the top of my head; Time, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, and the BBC. Although I know they are more.

[lauren_a]

(Original post by beefmaster)
They had no contacts before. 1 of them went to Yemen independently after university and has covered news in countries such as; Libya, Syria, and Egypt. The other has been wholly based in Yemen.

Publications wise off the top of my head; Time, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, and the BBC. Although I know they are more.

It used to be easier to get into top publications without journalism qualifications because employers were prepared to let new reporters train (learn shorthand, media law etc) on the job. These days that is extremely rare as even the biggest publications have neither the time nor the resources to spare. Therefore, although you do not necessarily need a journalism qualification, it is certainly advisable and should preferably be NCTJ accredited.

[guthers19]

Hey I'm 14 and an aspiring journalist and have already managed to bag some experience.

1. Contact any local publication at all. Your local paper, magazines etc. Even free ones.
2. Check out Youth Journalism International - www.youthjournalism.org Great (unpaid) site for under 19's to post work on their sites and get good experience. Enter their yearly awards as well and get fantastic recognition for it. It's a great starting place.
3. Just take every opportunity.
4. Get a blog. Blog on the area you want to feature on when you're older.
5. Build a portfolio website when you have enough clippings. It really helps to keep track and show employers.
6. Make contacts and keep them.

The key is just to get as much experience as possible. NCTJ courses are great to have, but journalists say they focus too much on print journalism. But definitely, if you wanted to work on a local newspaper then you could get in with an undergraduate course which was NCTJ certified. For news organisations, national papers or national/regional broadcasting, I'd say an MA is needed probably. This paragraph has just been told to me by journalists at my local paper.

Just get as much experience as possible

Good luck, sure you'll make it!