Journalism Degree - waste of time ??? Urgent, please help !!!

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Reply 40

erk

journalism at lcc?

Reply 41

Freckles

Huh?

Reply 42

DENNIS_MENACE

I think the thing to bare in mind is that there is no easy way of becoming a successfull journalist. It takes many years of building up contacts and many rejections to get where you want to be.
My advice:
1) Try and get some work experience at a local newpaper-to see if that type of work intrests you
2) Some journalism degrees are very well respected- Sheffield and Uclan are the most well known examples and the most postive side is that it is a lot more vocational than say, English Lit.
3) Also, make sure the courses are at Roehampton are accreddited to the NCTJ, otherwise it is not a recognised degree and like a blunt pencil= pointless
4) If you are still not sure then DON'T do it. do something that you love.
5) If you follow N.4, to keep you journalistic aspirations alive, join your uni paper. Then you have the relevant experience to either join a local paper or do a post-grad degree in journalism.

Reply 43

Toy Soldier

Getting into journalism is more about experience and contacts... and of course just having that certain flair for writing that will grip a reader (and that's not something that can be easily learned, it just comes naturally to most who have it). As for a degree, a good English Language/Literature joint honours (or a degree in a specific subject, if you're interested in a specific type of journalism) is much more highly regarded than a Journalism degree. Or so I read.

Reply 44

Freckles

Yep, you're right. I have adjusted my courses now and I'll just see what happens. If I end up doing the journalism BA- fine. If not, I think the postgrad study is a welcome option. I'll try to relax and wait now :biggrin:

Thanks for bearing with me. ARGH. lol

Reply 45

Freckles

I got an offer for Journalism with Sociology (which I'd probably try and change to Media and cultural studies, if I should accept) at Kingston yesterday :biggrin:

It's my first offer so I am excited regardless of that I'd rather go to another uni :wink:

Well, before I applied there, I emailed them, asking whether my qualifications where at the right level etc and they told me that they would advise me to get my app in as soon as possible, because last year, journalism was particularly popular.

So, well, I did get in and now I'm wondering whether that's a good sign? The course having been oversubscribed, I mean? Or does the popularity of a course say nothing about its quality?

Reply 46

Kerrigan

Anne*UK*06

So, well, I did get in and now I'm wondering whether that's a good sign? The course having been oversubscribed, I mean? Or does the popularity of a course say nothing about its quality?

Well, it doesn't necessarily mean nothing, but a course being popular doesn't mean it's any good, or any good for career prospects... still, it's not a bad sign, I guess! There are much better indications of a course's quality out there - have you read inspections of the university / the course? Have you checked it out in the league tables?

Reply 47

Freckles

I know Kingston is only ranked 70 or so in the Times (was it the Times?) league table, but that doesn't bother me. Other than that, the only "research" I have done was on Kingstons website, i.e. looking at the modules etc. I have no idea whether the course it NCTJ accredited, either.

Also, I am not sure it matters because I don't want to work in the UK, but I guess it would still be better if it was and I doubt it is because if it was, they'd probably state that somewhere.

Oh, Kingston apparently comes in 11th when it comes to graduate employment :wink:

Basically, what I am really thinking about now is what to do with the course. I don't know whether I should change it or just leave it the way it's now. I don't hate it, if I did, I wouldn't have applied. But I would rather do Media and Cultural Studies and Sociology, simply because I think I'd enjoy MCS more than I would enjoy Journalism. I am just not sure if that would be wise or if it'd be smarter to stick with Journalism.
I know it is not an essential degree to have to enter the field, but since the course is so popular, I figured maybe it's good? I could also do MCS and Journalism, but then I'd have to drop Sociology. Argh. So that's my main dilemma now lol

Either leave it the way it is: Sociology/Journalism
Or change it to what I think I'd enjoy most: Media and Cultural Studies/Sociology
Or change it to what I think might be "wiser" (?): Media and Cultural Studies/Journalism

LOL I know I worry too much and I yet have to get five answers before I can make any decisions, but it's never too early to contemplate the "ifs", I guess...

Reply 48

Platinum Mech

To be honest, being an aspiring journalist myself, I think much of what is being said here should probably be kept in mind by myself... and the numerous other budding journalists, for that matter. :biggrin:

I'm actually trying to research the possibility of contributing to my current University's newspaper (and possibly also other local papers). I did actually produce a double-page spread for my sixth form's magazine, and it seemed to be very well-received -- so hopefully, I could include that on my CV as previous experience. :smile: