Careers Sector Info
How to get started in Journalism
The career path for journalists has changed radically over the last decade. In the past, most journalists entered the profession through a form of apprenticeship usually worked in a local newspaper or, more recently, a local radio station.
Today there are many routes into journalism. Most who enter the profession are graduates and some have completed a specialist vocational pre-entry or postgraduate training course.
Until the 1990s, only a few universities and colleges offered journalism degrees and diplomas and most graduate entrants into journalism had qualifications in arts, languages or the humanities and then took postgraduate vocational qualifications. Today a greater number are entering after taking one of the increasing number of journalism-related degrees.
However, students should be aware that the suitability of many media studies degrees for a career in journalism is questioned by a number of commentators and recruiters. Some universities and colleges offer postgraduate qualifications in journalism including MAs and more vocationally oriented diplomas.
A few institutions also offer ‘fast-track’ pre-entry qualifications.
All these qualifications may or may not be accredited by industry bodies such as the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).
Employers who accept formally qualified journalists with degrees or diplomas that are not recognised by the NCTJ sometimes insist on those journalists sitting the NCTJ’s National Certificate Examination (NCE) early on in their careers. This is a tough test, with a pass rate of around 50 percent, demonstrating such things as mastery of traditional skills like shorthand and an understanding of the complexities of the law as it affects journalism.
In practice, precisely how you get into journalism will depend on the kind of journalism you choose to do.
There can be many entry points into newspaper journalism, fewer if you choose to go into book publishing or broadcasting. Your route may be more or less formal, depending on exams and qualifications or on experience gained with amateur publications or other small corners of the media universe.
This universe has expanded in recent years despite a trend towards concentration of ownership. Digital TV, a burgeoning magazine publishing sector and the development of the world wide web have created plenty of new job opportunities.
But competition can be fierce for new entrants. You must be able to offer something special.
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