Although the world of journalism has changed dramatically in recent years, with people turning away from traditional print to digital news, a career in journalism is still sought after, so which is the best way to go about it?
Journalism Courses
Depending on what sort of journalism you want to do, there are different routes into the field, but the main ways in are to do either a pre-entry or direct entry qualification. Because direct entry schemes, which take on trainees who are taught on the job, are fewer in number, the most popular route is pre-entry.
There are many different courses across the UK, ranging from BA degrees in general journalism and broadcast journalism to certificates and diplomas in fashion and music journalism. Many are accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists and offer various ways of studying, including remotely.
If you are looking for journalism courses, there are many colleges and trainers such as School Of Journalism which offer the skills needed to gain a job with a news outlet.
If you want to take a degree first, relevant subjects include media and communications and English, while graduates in other subjects can opt for a postgraduate journalism course, which usually lasts one or two years.
What Skills Are Needed?
It remains competitive, so if you can get any work experience, including by writing for a school or university newspaper, this will help you stand out.
A journalism course will ensure you are trained in all the skills you’ll need to work as a journalist, including shorthand, media law and ethics and how to structure a news article or feature.
You should have excellent communication skills and a good writing style, including grammar, punctuation and spelling. Attention to detail is a must, as well as the ability to research and investigate. These days, it is of course essential to have digital literacy too, including being able to use content management systems.
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