MH
In which case. Which one of you lovely buggers wants to send me to Brixton academy, London Astoria, Shepherds bush empire, Reading festival etc etc etc all expenses paid of course to write up a stonking review. No need to pay me a wage, lets just call it a labour of love. I promise to get steaming drunk, mingle with the stars and get a morsel or 2 of juicy of gossip. I promise to write an entertaining honest review of the gig/s.
gregmc posted:
Its not what you know, its who you know. The best way to get experience is just to get as many contacts as possible.
In which case. Which one of you lovely buggers wants to send me to Brixton academy, London Astoria, Shepherds bush empire, Reading festival etc etc etc all expenses paid of course to write up a stonking review. No need to pay me a wage, lets just call it a labour of love. I promise to get steaming drunk, mingle with the stars and get a morsel or 2 of juicy of gossip. I promise to write an entertaining honest review of the gig/s.
DD
I want to be a jounalist 
I have run several (parent in RAF so used to move every year or so) different succesful school newsletters and I'm only in yr 9 at school and I have met a few newsreaders (not that that helps)
My school is now doing the International Bacolauriate (which I just can't spell!) now so I may have better chances - I want to go to Oxbridge
I have run several (parent in RAF so used to move every year or so) different succesful school newsletters and I'm only in yr 9 at school and I have met a few newsreaders (not that that helps)
My school is now doing the International Bacolauriate (which I just can't spell!) now so I may have better chances - I want to go to Oxbridge
RS
Experience is very important but that combined with a degree is a great mix.
The most important thing, though, is to be *good* at the job. Get some decent stories under your belt if you manage to get a placement at a newsroom and get those stories on air then you'll start to get a good reputation. Good reputation = job offers.
Keep your eyes and ears open - the best stories come from your life, not from press releases!!!
peterrocket posted:
It's true. There are many people I know who work in journalism / media and don't have a degree in media studies / journalism whatsoever, it's all experience.
Experience is very important but that combined with a degree is a great mix.
The most important thing, though, is to be *good* at the job. Get some decent stories under your belt if you manage to get a placement at a newsroom and get those stories on air then you'll start to get a good reputation. Good reputation = job offers.
Keep your eyes and ears open - the best stories come from your life, not from press releases!!!
GE
thegeek
Founding member
A friend of mine is currently a producer in the Sky News graduate trainee programme. He studied English Lit and History at uni, but spent a whole lot of time at the student TV station - and student newspaper - doing reporting on all sorts of things, ended up with a fairly decent showreel and portfolio. Being in the right place at the right time (not far from the factory which blew up in Glasgow a few years back, and in possession of a camera and a press pass) got him a contact at Sky, who later got him some work experience, and an advantage when they came around to recruiting for their grad scheme.
Definitely a good example of both what you know and who you know being useful when it comes to getting a job.
That said, I also know people who've done a degree followed by an NTCJ course (one at Strathclyde, one somewhere in London) who've both walked straight into jobs on local papers - there's not really any one way to do it.
Good luck to anyone who's trying to make a go of it!
Definitely a good example of both what you know and who you know being useful when it comes to getting a job.
That said, I also know people who've done a degree followed by an NTCJ course (one at Strathclyde, one somewhere in London) who've both walked straight into jobs on local papers - there's not really any one way to do it.
Good luck to anyone who's trying to make a go of it!
PC
Seconded.
Nah, only kiddin'. With regard to how to get in, I suppose that depends on what you want to do. I know the newspaper route though (which can lead to broadcast in the future if it's what you want to do).
I saw the Strathclyde course mentioned and I would highly recommend that - they seem to know what they're doing, especially in the postgraduate.
Many courses run by colleges don't seem to equip people who leave with any skills whatsoever. And editors pick up on courses that consistently deliver good students, so it's a major advantage to start with.
Geek - not surprised that person got a job with Sky, bearing in mind quite how badly the station did covering that particular explosion (famously they were too busy over in Ireland launching their service over there - whatever happened to that?)
The other thing is that, while you're in further education, consistently badger local papers for work experience (preferably your own local, as you'll have an advantage there, but if it's guff don't be afraid to look further afield). For many editors it's a way of testing out future employees, so get in there with ideas, stories, and don't be afraid to do absolutely anything you're asked.
For any budding journalists looking to get a start in a local paper, if you a) have successfully completed a half decent course, b) are enthusiastic, c) can actually write, d) have already proved how good you are by being in the office anyway and e) have your shorthand and law, then you're 99% guaranteed to get a job. Because you're about a million miles ahead of some of the people who apply for jobs day in day out.
Nick Harvey posted:
Trust me, Lorna, you DON'T want to be a journo!
Seconded.
Nah, only kiddin'. With regard to how to get in, I suppose that depends on what you want to do. I know the newspaper route though (which can lead to broadcast in the future if it's what you want to do).
I saw the Strathclyde course mentioned and I would highly recommend that - they seem to know what they're doing, especially in the postgraduate.
Many courses run by colleges don't seem to equip people who leave with any skills whatsoever. And editors pick up on courses that consistently deliver good students, so it's a major advantage to start with.
Geek - not surprised that person got a job with Sky, bearing in mind quite how badly the station did covering that particular explosion (famously they were too busy over in Ireland launching their service over there - whatever happened to that?)
The other thing is that, while you're in further education, consistently badger local papers for work experience (preferably your own local, as you'll have an advantage there, but if it's guff don't be afraid to look further afield). For many editors it's a way of testing out future employees, so get in there with ideas, stories, and don't be afraid to do absolutely anything you're asked.
For any budding journalists looking to get a start in a local paper, if you a) have successfully completed a half decent course, b) are enthusiastic, c) can actually write, d) have already proved how good you are by being in the office anyway and e) have your shorthand and law, then you're 99% guaranteed to get a job. Because you're about a million miles ahead of some of the people who apply for jobs day in day out.
RM
If you do want to undertake a journalism course, I would recommend the BA Honours Journalism course at the University (see here).
You do the main types of journalism: TV, radio, print, photography and Internet. I did the course; it was very enjoyable and useful. It got me a job in a photography department at the civil service at any rate.
Hope the link helps. BTW Lincoln is fantastic city.
You do the main types of journalism: TV, radio, print, photography and Internet. I did the course; it was very enjoyable and useful. It got me a job in a photography department at the civil service at any rate.
Hope the link helps. BTW Lincoln is fantastic city.