How do I get a job in journalism?

It’s great to hear that you’re so focused on the career path you want to take.

It’s important you decide which medium you want to work in first: print, online, television or radio. Journalism is a competitive field, so the area you decide to work in will affect the qualification levels you need. You may not need them in a specific subject, but you may need to gain a certain amount of points to get into your chosen arena.

Obviously a qualification in English is essential, but other subjects you choose to study might also depend on the type of content you want to write about. There are many different subjects covered by journalists such as sports, politics, food and music, so have a think about which direction you want to follow.

It might also be worth speaking with your education provider’s careers advisor about extra courses you could take to give you the optimum opportunity to get into journalism.

At degree and postgraduate level, you’ll find lots of specific journalism courses. On these courses you’ll typically learn how to construct a story, conduct interviews and research your ideas. You will also cover media law, working online, a specialism and possibly shorthand. These courses often require students to find work experience placements, offering the opportunity to make contacts, learn about the working environment and gain new skills.

Even if you don’t do a specialist course in journalism, work experience can be invaluable on your CV. One way of finding work experience is to research the publications, websites, TV or radio stations that interest you and write to them directly.

If you’re interested in print or online journalism, try to build up a portfolio of your work. This could be articles or reviews you’ve had published in your student paper, a website you’ve help set up, or even a blog you’ve written. These will all give evidence of your interest in the industry and give employers an idea of your writing style.

If you’d like to talk through your options in more detail, call Learndirect on 0800 100 900.