The Student Room Group

Urgent help

Hello! I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this. I need help with my future career choices. I'm an aspiring sports journalist. I do have a personal blog and I do write for another blog. I've just finished my GCSEs and I'm not sure what A-Levels to take. Is English Literature a necessity? I was planning to take French, Maths, Geography and Chemistry, because I was told subject choices aren't very important. I want to go into journalism first and foremost. Would you recommend taking English Literature as an University course? And do they require English Literature at A-Level as a requirement? From what I've heard, the Sports-Journalism course isn't very good/recognised. Would appreciate any help or responses! As a side note, what careers could also be associated with the above A-Levels mentioned? (Geo, Chem, Maths, French - they're my favourite subjects haha)
Reply 1
bump
Reply 2
Anyone?! Helpppp
If youre serious about journalism, first I'd look into specific universities that appeal to you to see what their take is. On most prospectuses/entry guidelines, a university will state if you have to have taken an english subject, for example, as you have stated. It varies from university to university. However, I would suggest that taking English Literature or English Language will help to develop your writing and analytical skills.


Posted from TSR Mobile
Also I dont see how the alevels you are considering help or push you towards your inspirations.

Are you not a sporty person? It would make sense to involve yourself in sport in some way to elevate your writing.


Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by markperrin

1) I'm an aspiring sports journalist.

2) I've just finished my GCSEs and I'm not sure what A-Levels to take.

3) Is English Literature a necessity? I was planning to take French, Maths, Geography and Chemistry, because I was told subject choices aren't very important.

4) I want to go into journalism first and foremost. Would you recommend taking English Literature as an University course? And do they require English Literature at A-Level as a requirement?

5) From what I've heard, the Sports-Journalism course isn't very good/recognised.

6) What careers could also be associated with the above A-Levels mentioned? (Geo, Chem, Maths, French - they're my favourite subjects haha)


After my last two posts based on skim reading your questions, I will now respond properly. Here goes:

1) It's good that you have aspirations, as your desires will give you direction and help you to make the right decisions to reach what you want from life. However, it's important to remember that as you open doors, you are also closing doors. Should you decide that you no longer wish to be a sports journalist, you will be limited (dependant upon which alevels you take) in your degree choice. For example, you would not be able to follow a science route without meeting criteria. Having said that, there are a lot of non-a-level specific degrees such as Law that you would still be able to choose should you change your mind.

I see that you are considering this, by asking what jobs/degrees the Alevels you potentially choose could lead to. Make sure you put a lot of thought into this. More on that later.

2) The jump from GCSE to ALevel is one that I made this year, and it isnt one to be underestimated. There is no point in studying a subject that you don't like at alevel. The subjects require a lot of time and devotion, and therefore the less you like them, the less likely you are to succeed. To conclude my point; make sure you study subjects that interest you. Just because you are good at a subject at GCSE doesn't mean you will do well at Alevel. You cannot do last minute revision and expect to get a good grade, unlike with GCSE's.

3) It depends on your university, as I have said in a previous post, please please please look into universities. For some, it may be. For others, it wont. Also, as a side note: Most people who tell you information, no matter how genuinely they mean it, may mislead you with information that they themselves have heard or researched wrong. Always check up on something you're unsure of personally, or you may regret it when you cant do your degree of choice at your university of choice.

4) Naturally, if you studied English Literature at undergraduate level, it would potentially lead you into journalism. English Literature is an age old, respected degree, much more so than Journalism, and would still give you the benefits of a journalism degree, whilst not limiting your career choice. For example, if you did a journalism degree, you would be very limited in your career choice. However, if you chose English Literature, you could be any number of things. A librarian, teacher, published author, a historian, etc.

If you were to study English Literature at university, you 100% would need to have studied it (or English Language) at Alevel degree.

5) I'm not sure about this one. Perhaps you could look into job prospects for it, and the amount of people who go into work in the area of journalism after a degree. However, I would note that English Literature would be a more respected degree. Also, consider if having a degree with less 'respect' will damage your career.

6) Geography, Chemistry, Maths, French. Again, I have no clue as towhat careers these could lead to. You should google it my friend, but potentially we all make our own circumstances. Good Luck.





Posted from TSR Mobile
hi

- Do the A levels you want to subject to which A levels you need to qualify as a journalist. Do the journalism course after researching it

- qualify as a journalist and try and get work experience in sports - indeed get as much experience all round as possible - journalism first, then specialism

- follow your passion but keep an open mind - who knows you may find something else that floats your boat

- try now to get in touch with sports journos and ask them for help






Original post by markperrin
Hello! I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this. I need help with my future career choices. I'm an aspiring sports journalist. I do have a personal blog and I do write for another blog. I've just finished my GCSEs and I'm not sure what A-Levels to take. Is English Literature a necessity? I was planning to take French, Maths, Geography and Chemistry, because I was told subject choices aren't very important. I want to go into journalism first and foremost. Would you recommend taking English Literature as an University course? And do they require English Literature at A-Level as a requirement? From what I've heard, the Sports-Journalism course isn't very good/recognised. Would appreciate any help or responses! As a side note, what careers could also be associated with the above A-Levels mentioned? (Geo, Chem, Maths, French - they're my favourite subjects haha)

Quick Reply

Latest