Journalism qaulification - which one
Discussion
A good freind of mine (no not me) is wanting to get into the editorial side of media. Now I am quite au-fait with the sales side, but know nothing about the editorial side.
She has a 2.1 in History and English from Leicster and really wants to know what bits of paper hold some weight in the industry of journalism?
Any help would be very much apreciated, or even tips on getting into that side of things, she's been editor of uni paper, done work exp at a media company but still is having no luck.
She has a 2.1 in History and English from Leicster and really wants to know what bits of paper hold some weight in the industry of journalism?
Any help would be very much apreciated, or even tips on getting into that side of things, she's been editor of uni paper, done work exp at a media company but still is having no luck.
Edited by okgo on Friday 2nd July 11:50
As a former publisher I can assure you that qualifications mean diddly-squat; quality is all that counts.
The problem your friend has is that every man and his dog wants to be a journalist; many will have the connections your friend presumably does not.
Even my publishing house, running four small-ish niche titles, would receive at least 2 letters per week from aspiring writers plus non-stop submittal of free to use pieces.
Honestly, I always wondered why they wanted to do it! For 99% of journos, the pay is terrible. Really terrible!
What type of journo does she want to be?
The problem your friend has is that every man and his dog wants to be a journalist; many will have the connections your friend presumably does not.
Even my publishing house, running four small-ish niche titles, would receive at least 2 letters per week from aspiring writers plus non-stop submittal of free to use pieces.
Honestly, I always wondered why they wanted to do it! For 99% of journos, the pay is terrible. Really terrible!
What type of journo does she want to be?
Martial Arts Man said:
As a former publisher I can assure you that qualifications mean diddly-squat; quality is all that counts.
The problem your friend has is that every man and his dog wants to be a journalist; many will have the connections your friend presumably does not.
Even my publishing house, running four small-ish niche titles, would receive at least 2 letters per week from aspiring writers plus non-stop submittal of free to use pieces.
Honestly, I always wondered why they wanted to do it! For 99% of journos, the pay is terrible. Really terrible!
What type of journo does she want to be?
Ideal job for her is wirting for Conde Naste on one of their fashion titles. Which I suppose is more competitive even still!The problem your friend has is that every man and his dog wants to be a journalist; many will have the connections your friend presumably does not.
Even my publishing house, running four small-ish niche titles, would receive at least 2 letters per week from aspiring writers plus non-stop submittal of free to use pieces.
Honestly, I always wondered why they wanted to do it! For 99% of journos, the pay is terrible. Really terrible!
What type of journo does she want to be?
She's applied to production editor roles as a foot in the door method, I suppose this is the best option?
Ex of mine always wanted to be a journalist, had it totally planned out and researched it to the finest detail, Journalism degree from Sheffield, one of the best courses apparently, with work experience on the Star, then work for the Press Association to get yourself noticed, most papers pick up on this agency and credit the writer in the papers, and once you've worked out the sort of journalism you want, find a paper and work on it. His life was his work, hence the ex....
He went to the Evening Standard and last I heard he was working at the Mail (although he always maintained The Sun got there first on the news and wanted to work there).
He went to the Evening Standard and last I heard he was working at the Mail (although he always maintained The Sun got there first on the news and wanted to work there).
if she wants to be a fashion journo, she'll have double the competition as it's a popular route for fashion grads.
from what i know it's a very tough business in that you need gold plated contacts and/or supreme talent to make it to the majors. regional news pays peanuts, I know a few journo's nearing 30 who earn what I did as a fresh graduate. you really do need to love your work.
from what i know it's a very tough business in that you need gold plated contacts and/or supreme talent to make it to the majors. regional news pays peanuts, I know a few journo's nearing 30 who earn what I did as a fresh graduate. you really do need to love your work.
okgo said:
what bits of paper hold some weight in the industry of journalism?
1. A degree certificate from Oxbridge2. Paper with phone numbers of mates and friends and rellies of mates who went to Oxbridge who already work in the meeja and will give you a job
Work experience is one idea. Has she been writing whilst at uni? Portfolio of work?
They could also try Editorial Assistant jobs on unfashionable trade journals - think the kind of rags HIGNFY takes the piss out of.
PR can be another way in, especially if she's pretty or charming or both.
Writing for websites seems easier to get into than actual print.
Journalism's all about contacts. No contacts normally = no work. W/o contacts and unless she has a strong plan to get around this, I'd think hard about this choice of career.
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