From The Student Room

TSR Wiki > Careers > Career Options > Media, marketing and entertainment

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Thanks to Springboard for the original content of this page, now updated by TSR users.

Media, marketing and entertainment are all competitive businesses. Within the magazine world, for instance, many hundreds of titles exist but only a few thrive. And national newspapers are fighting a battle to keep their readers.

British films sometimes do well but many films that were helped by lottery funding haven’t succeeded at the box office.

Some plays and musicals are making lots of money but a theatre’s success has a lot to do with tourism, which isn’t doing so well.

Television and the music industry have also got their own problems. For instance, new channels are appearing but the type of programmes receiving airtime are more limited.

Opportunities available

Opportunities are very varied but most occupational areas - many of which are for freelance workers - are competitive. The media and entertainment are seen as "glamorous" careers, but the reality is that a lot of hard work and persistence is required, as well as some good luck.

Jobs as national newspaper journalists, television presenters, well-known actors and famous singers may be extremely limited but it’s still possible for hardworking and talented people to make a living in these fields.

Technical, administrative and other "behind the scenes" positions also exist, such as lighting and sound engineers, make-up artists and arts administrators.

Entry requirements

For many jobs, a degree and/or a work-related qualification isn’t necessarily a requirement, although many people will have one. Contacts are important and university, film school and performing arts colleges are as a good a place as any to make some.

Work experience is another place to make contacts. For certain areas, such as magazine and newspaper journalism, you should try to gain as much as possible (eg on the student newspaper, writing for student websites).

Future trends

Online entertainment and the number of satellite channels will increase which could mean more competition for jobs for some people but possibly more opportunities for others.