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speedboatchase · 11-05-2008, 16:12

Honestly, perhaps I'm being a little naive by trying jobs sites but anytime you look for publishing or media jobs all you're confronted with is SALES SALES SALES! Just finished my Media Print Journalism BA last week, hold a Diploma too from BCFE and I freelance for a Videogames PDF - however I CANNOT see any openings for me anywhere aside from writing for my local newspaper. I hate local newspapers. Does anyone have any knowledge to impart? Starting to get a little frustrated

jdivision · 11-05-2008, 23:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedboatchase

! Just finished my Media Print Journalism BA last week, hold a Diploma too from BCFE and I freelance for a Videogames PDF - however I CANNOT see any openings for me anywhere aside from writing for my local newspaper. I hate local newspapers. Does anyone have any knowledge to impart? Starting to get a little frustrated

Where did you get that degree from? Never heard of it.

The key is to get work experience. Apply to a bunch of newspapers - find out beforehand whom you should be applying to - and go in with an I'll do anything attitude even if it's making the tea. Have some ideas. Don't expect to be writing politics.

Nobody will make you staff straight out of college. you need to prove yourself.

speedboatchase · 12-05-2008, 00:00

University of Huddersfield its from - so unpaid work experience you reckon? Its the lack of funds from studying abroad that is one of the driving factors behind this thread!

santosubito · 12-05-2008, 11:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedboatchase

Honestly, perhaps I'm being a little naive by trying jobs sites but anytime you look for publishing or media jobs all you're confronted with is SALES SALES SALES! Just finished my Media Print Journalism BA last week, hold a Diploma too from BCFE and I freelance for a Videogames PDF - however I CANNOT see any openings for me anywhere aside from writing for my local newspaper. I hate local newspapers. Does anyone have any knowledge to impart? Starting to get a little frustrated

Why do you hate local papers?
If you get the right one, there is no better place to learn the ropes.
Have you contacted any papers or newsrooms trying to get shifts?

speedboatchase · 12-05-2008, 12:02

If you're not interested then it's not interesting my tutor used to say. I never read local newspapers and I don't have any desire to write about GAA Fundraisers etc. I've done work experience 3 times with one local newspaper and once with another but it really wasn't for me

santosubito · 12-05-2008, 12:31

Well then, I suggest you apply to the nationals immediately.
Honestly, do you think every reporter who starts off in a local believes they've made it.
I did 18 months in a weekly after my postgrad (I did it in Scotland and thought I was far too important to wrok in a local, but I soon wised up).
I hated every minute of it.
But it made me the reporter I am. I see young ones coming into my office after DCU or whatever. Some are kept on because they show promise.
Very few of them live up to it because they haven't learned the skills they need to be a good reporter.
BUt then again maybe you're a natural genius and will walk into a staff/contract job on a national. Best of luck.

santosubito · 12-05-2008, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdivision

Nobody will make you staff straight out of college. you need to prove yourself.

That's the nub of it, I'm afraid. But Flogen should be able to give you some good avice.

zenith · 12-05-2008, 13:08

Here ya go.

--------------
Deputy editor - Official Xboxfrom Jobs from Journalism.co.uk
You will have a demonstrable passion for and knowledge of Xbox gaming and established network of contacts in the industry
Salary: On application
Location: London - Central
Closing date: 28/05/08

Got a media vacancy? Advertise it on Journalism.co.uk
--------------

speedboatchase · 12-05-2008, 13:15

Santos, I'm just looking for a good application for my own journalism skills, I never said that I even want to be a reporter! Personally I'd enjoy in the long-run writing for a magazine but I'm trying to see from experiences with other posters if there is (and there must be) a different way to crack into the media industry with this degree and not write for local newspapers.

**monument** · 12-05-2008, 13:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenith

.... Deputy editor - Official Xboxfrom Jobs from Journalism.co.uk ....

You're not going to walk into a deputy editor job straight out of college. UK games journalism is as competitive - maybe even more so - than normal journalism.

santosubito · 12-05-2008, 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedboatchase

Santos, I'm just looking for a good application for my own journalism skills, I never said that I even want to be a reporter! Personally I'd enjoy in the long-run writing for a magazine but I'm trying to see from experiences with other posters if there is (and there must be) a different way to crack into the media industry with this degree and not write for local newspapers.

Well, as I have already written, best of luck.
I'm just pointing out the reality...no point having any delusions.

**flogen** · 12-05-2008, 14:40

I'm not really sure what the OP is looking for - I'm not even sure if the OP is all that sure.

Firstly off - you won't find a job very quickly unless you're an amazingly talented journalist and you'll have to get by on contributing or shift-work at best for now. Once you start to earn a good reputation and get to know people in the industry doors will start to open up and you'll start hearing about more permanent positions as they become available. In other words, assuming you want to be a journalist of whatever description, you're just going to have to plug away at it and stick it out until it pays off.

My overarching advice to anyone starting out in journalism is to expect a frustrating time and a potentially long-haul... I graduated in 2006 and I'm still chugging away as a freelance while looking out for more permanent positions; things get better but slowly.

If you're looking to be a reporter I'd take santo's advice and go looking for some work experience in a national if you can - my own spin on that advice would be to try and get into a daily because working for a Sunday makes you fare more reliant on good contacts which as a fresh-outta-college journalist you may not have. With the likes of Sunday newspaper you can't follow the news agenda so you have to either break stories or find a news angle for an existing one. That said if you get the chance to work in a Sunday take it as there are plenty of ways to get by while you try and establish yourself; finding a niche is always a good one. If you do end up in a Sunday and do well quickly it'll only be all the more impressive, too.

Either way, newsroom experience is vital on any number of levels so try and get some.

If you're not so keen on being a news reporter then you have to decide what else you want. Do you want to write features? If so, find out who to pitch to and start pitching ideas. A lot of ideas. Expect most pitches to go unanswered or get rejected but always follow up; also expect the minority of your ideas to actually go anywhere, but that's all you need to get the ball rolling.

Other than that there are plenty of potential jobs that are only a side-step or two away from journalism; you could make your way into PR or marketing, you could teach (2nd level English, journalism etc.), you could become a runner or researcher (check the IFTN website for those kind of jobs) or you could go do a post grad in something entirely different and see where that takes you...

speedboatchase · 12-05-2008, 14:52

What interests me Flogen (should've been clearer to be honest) would be perhaps an editorial assistant role, reasercher or some freelance features work. In terms of work experience with a National, is it simply a case of ringing the numbers on their websites or is there a particular position I should seek out to call within each paper?

zenith · 13-05-2008, 07:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by monument

You're not going to walk into a deputy editor job straight out of college. UK games journalism is as competitive - maybe even more so - than normal journalism.

I really wonder about the standard of many journalism degrees if they don't offer basic career guidance/placement.

(Job was posted partially in jest.)

**Xavi6** · 13-05-2008, 07:28

I think being so dismissive of local papers is a bit silly considering it is probably the easiest way into the industry. Even if you only do it for a couple of months at least you have the articles as part of your portfolio as well as references from editors etc. That's how I started out and I know that there wouldn't have been a hope of me getting the staff job I have now without that practical writing experience.

If you want to be a researcher of some type then ring the likes of Newstalk. They were always looking for people to do donkey work when I was in college.

11-05-2008, 16:12	#1
speedboatchase Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,509 Adverts \| Friends	What to do with my Journalism Degree? Honestly, perhaps I'm being a little naive by trying jobs sites but anytime you look for publishing or media jobs all you're confronted with is SALES SALES SALES! Just finished my Media Print Journalism BA last week, hold a Diploma too from BCFE and I freelance for a Videogames PDF - however I CANNOT see any openings for me anywhere aside from writing for my local newspaper. I hate local newspapers. Does anyone have any knowledge to impart? Starting to get a little frustrated

12-05-2008, 12:31	#6
santosubito Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dublin Posts: 494 Adverts \| Friends	Well then, I suggest you apply to the nationals immediately. Honestly, do you think every reporter who starts off in a local believes they've made it. I did 18 months in a weekly after my postgrad (I did it in Scotland and thought I was far too important to wrok in a local, but I soon wised up). I hated every minute of it. But it made me the reporter I am. I see young ones coming into my office after DCU or whatever. Some are kept on because they show promise. Very few of them live up to it because they haven't learned the skills they need to be a good reporter. BUt then again maybe you're a natural genius and will walk into a staff/contract job on a national. Best of luck. Last edited by santosubito; 12-05-2008 at 12:39.

12-05-2008, 14:40	#12
flogen Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Dublin Posts: 9,394 Adverts \| Friends Mod: News & Media, Prime Time Cartoons	I'm not really sure what the OP is looking for - I'm not even sure if the OP is all that sure. Firstly off - you won't find a job very quickly unless you're an amazingly talented journalist and you'll have to get by on contributing or shift-work at best for now. Once you start to earn a good reputation and get to know people in the industry doors will start to open up and you'll start hearing about more permanent positions as they become available. In other words, assuming you want to be a journalist of whatever description, you're just going to have to plug away at it and stick it out until it pays off. My overarching advice to anyone starting out in journalism is to expect a frustrating time and a potentially long-haul... I graduated in 2006 and I'm still chugging away as a freelance while looking out for more permanent positions; things get better but slowly. If you're looking to be a reporter I'd take santo's advice and go looking for some work experience in a national if you can - my own spin on that advice would be to try and get into a daily because working for a Sunday makes you fare more reliant on good contacts which as a fresh-outta-college journalist you may not have. With the likes of Sunday newspaper you can't follow the news agenda so you have to either break stories or find a news angle for an existing one. That said if you get the chance to work in a Sunday take it as there are plenty of ways to get by while you try and establish yourself; finding a niche is always a good one. If you do end up in a Sunday and do well quickly it'll only be all the more impressive, too. Either way, newsroom experience is vital on any number of levels so try and get some. If you're not so keen on being a news reporter then you have to decide what else you want. Do you want to write features? If so, find out who to pitch to and start pitching ideas. A lot of ideas. Expect most pitches to go unanswered or get rejected but always follow up; also expect the minority of your ideas to actually go anywhere, but that's all you need to get the ball rolling. Other than that there are plenty of potential jobs that are only a side-step or two away from journalism; you could make your way into PR or marketing, you could teach (2nd level English, journalism etc.), you could become a runner or researcher (check the IFTN website for those kind of jobs) or you could go do a post grad in something entirely different and see where that takes you... Last edited by flogen; 12-05-2008 at 14:45.

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12-05-2008, 00:00	#3
speedboatchase Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,509 Adverts \| Friends	University of Huddersfield its from - so unpaid work experience you reckon? Its the lack of funds from studying abroad that is one of the driving factors behind this thread!

12-05-2008, 12:02	#5
speedboatchase Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,509 Adverts \| Friends	If you're not interested then it's not interesting my tutor used to say. I never read local newspapers and I don't have any desire to write about GAA Fundraisers etc. I've done work experience 3 times with one local newspaper and once with another but it really wasn't for me

12-05-2008, 13:08	#8
zenith Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 715 Adverts \| Friends	Here ya go. -------------- Deputy editor - Official Xboxfrom Jobs from Journalism.co.uk You will have a demonstrable passion for and knowledge of Xbox gaming and established network of contacts in the industry Salary: On application Location: London - Central Closing date: 28/05/08 Got a media vacancy? Advertise it on Journalism.co.uk --------------

12-05-2008, 13:15	#9
speedboatchase Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,509 Adverts \| Friends	Santos, I'm just looking for a good application for my own journalism skills, I never said that I even want to be a reporter! Personally I'd enjoy in the long-run writing for a magazine but I'm trying to see from experiences with other posters if there is (and there must be) a different way to crack into the media industry with this degree and not write for local newspapers.

12-05-2008, 14:52	#13
speedboatchase Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,509 Adverts \| Friends	What interests me Flogen (should've been clearer to be honest) would be perhaps an editorial assistant role, reasercher or some freelance features work. In terms of work experience with a National, is it simply a case of ringing the numbers on their websites or is there a particular position I should seek out to call within each paper?

13-05-2008, 07:28	#15
Xavi6 Moderator Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Perth W.A. via D15 Posts: 39,089 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Aussie Rules Football	I think being so dismissive of local papers is a bit silly considering it is probably the easiest way into the industry. Even if you only do it for a couple of months at least you have the articles as part of your portfolio as well as references from editors etc. That's how I started out and I know that there wouldn't have been a hope of me getting the staff job I have now without that practical writing experience. If you want to be a researcher of some type then ring the likes of Newstalk. They were always looking for people to do donkey work when I was in college.