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Is there a demand for Sports Journalists?

  • 27-03-2008 12:01am
    #1
    shepthedog
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,689 ✭✭✭


    Just looking for peoples opinions who may work in the trade.
    I was told there is a healthy demand for both business and sports journalists. I am working part time (studying masters in International Journalism) currently as a sports reporter and I am considering attempting to get permanent work starting in May in either of these areas.

    It may be one of these urban myths but I would be keen to hear from people in the industry.

    Regards
    Gary


Comments

  • #2
    the_bigman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33 ✭the_bigman


    It's tough to break into but, from my experience, it's sometimes best to get into subbing for a paper first. That way they'll get to know you and trust you and learn things. Like, no-one is just going to give you a reporting job and you don't tend to see it advertised. Another route is to work as a 'stringer' for papers... doing local AIB league games, Eircom League and local GAA. A good way to learn experience. You have to be committed though. I'd try the subbing route.


  • #3
    Xavi6
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,919 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    My mate at the Independent tells me that they are looking for some 'good' sports journalists. Apparently some of the people writing for them in a junior capacity are shit (as are some of the senior ones too!) and he's been trying to recruit people who were in college with us. I'd be there if I wasn't abroad.

    Try local papers. That's how I got my first three years experience of sports journalism. Got paid quite nicely for it too.


  • #4
    shepthedog
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,689 ✭✭✭shepthedog


    Thanks for the replies guys. I am already working for a local paper, covering on average a couple of games each Sunday. I will drop the Indo a mail and see what the story is.


  • #5
    monument
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 14,093 Mod ✭✭✭✭monument


    the_bigman wrote: »
    Another route is to work as a 'stringer' for papers... doing local AIB league games, Eircom League and local GAA. A good way to learn experience. You have to be committed though. I'd try the subbing route.

    I'm not a sports head at all my self, but covering matches on a freelance bases looks to be the way in. I know one person doing it for nationals and one like the OP for a local.


  • #6
    Dudess
    Closed Accounts Posts: 37,214 ✭✭✭✭Dudess


    OP, sports and business: that's exactly what I was told too when studying journalism and working as a freelancer. Shame then that I couldn't be less interested in either... :)


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  • #7
    Pen1987
    Closed Accounts Posts: 870 ✭✭✭Pen1987


    Theres demand for good journalists in general. No one is going to turn up and hand you a staff job, you've got to freelance your hole off until someone takes notice, wether thats in Sport, Music, Business, News or Broadcast. Alot of people are freelancing in Sport so there is a lot of competition there, areas people find boring are the spots where there is less competition. Get a specialisation, try trade magazines to get a staff job.


  • #8
    UnitedIrishman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,369 ✭✭✭UnitedIrishman


    Another question about the job of sports journalism:

    I've been working part time with a local paper for the guts of 3 years (since I was 16) and have worked in their offices full-time during the summer doing news and sports so fairly experienced for my age. By the time I'll finish college I'll have about 6-7 years experience at 23.. is that a large amount of experience for a larger, national paper or about the regular amount?


  • #9
    Pen1987
    Closed Accounts Posts: 870 ✭✭✭Pen1987


    it would depend on how many peices you had printed over the time, and if it was regular and busy. Also on the style of paper and its reputation in the overall media as a local. (e.g. 6 years of experience working in a citywide local paper like the Limerick Leader or the Corkman would be much more respected than 6 years working in the Community Voice (basically adverts, a freesheet) in Dublin.

    Also most local papers are written in broadsheet style, so a national broadsheet might see your 6 six years as a local might be more valuable to them than to a redtop, as tabloid reporting is more about balls and nerve than for a broadsheet where its opinion and analysis (sort of).


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