Advice for getting into journalism

tinkletoes

Is there anyone who has not a degree in journalism and still made it as a journalist? I was informed that the only way into it is by doing a course in journalism. I am just out of college with a degree not relevant to journalism and don't want to spend another four years in college. I was wondering does anyone know of a course that I could do within six months or year to give me the necessary skills to become a reporter? I know that Kilroy's college does a course in freelance journalism. I was wondering was there anyone who did the course or knows of someone who did it?

I have tried the route of contacting local newspapers in my area for non paid work experience but many have replied saying they have not got the resources to give me work experience bar one local newspaper but no guarantees. I have to approach them again in September.

flogen

tinkletoes wrote: »

Is there anyone who has not a degree in journalism and still made it as a journalist? I was informed that the only way into it is by doing a course in journalism. I am just out of college with a degree not relevant to journalism and don't want to spend another four years in college. I was wondering does anyone know of a course that I could do within six months or year to give me the necessary skills to become a reporter? I know that Kilroy's college does a course in freelance journalism. I was wondering was there anyone who did the course or knows of someone who did it?

I have tried the route of contacting local newspapers in my area for non paid work experience but many have replied saying they have not got the resources to give me work experience bar one local newspaper but no guarantees. I have to approach them again in September.

You could probably write a list as long as the M1 which comprises of high-profile journalists (in Ireland and abroad) whom never studied journalism. (Charlie Bird is an obvious example - not necessarily the best journalist in Ireland but by far the best known/paid).

In fact journalism courses are really a relatively recent phenomenon - it used to be more of an apprenticeship-type set up where people went into the newsroom and got their hands dirty.

So in short you don't need a journalism degree to be a journalist - likewise having a journalism degree is not going to suddenly make you a journalist.

My advice to you would be to keep looking for work experience anywhere and everywhere, specifically in the "off season" when students are in college (because many places would have taken journalism students on over the summer - that might explain why one place told you to come back in September). Once there work your socks off and make sure they can't afford to let you go.

Until then, come up with some ideas and pitch them to various newspapers/magazines; local, regional and national; and see if you can get even the beginnings of a portfolio and contacts book together.

tinkletoes

Thank you Flogen for advice:)

Overdraft

To be completely honest I, personally, don't know a single person in journalism who has a journalism degree - but that's probably my age, things have changed a lot since I left hedge school

For me the only advantage of doing a journalism degree is that you usually get to do a work placement with a newspaper at some stage, useful experience...unless, of course, they just use you as a tea-maker during your stint.

I'm sure there are excellent journalism degrees out there, but they won't sway prospective employers unless you have the journalistic gift to go with it.

In my experience editors are largely unimpressed by these degrees, they're much more interested in motivated young talent with fresh ideas, a skill for writing, etc, etc - the degree is incidental.

Having said that, I reckon 90% of the journalists in my current department have arts degrees, mainly English, History and Politics....make of that what you will!