Journalism from Start(Unemployed)

Whirlie

Hi All,
Am currently unemployed, took voluntary redundancy in December last year. Very interested in a career in Journalism, did an arts degree in english and computer science 10 years ago with a view towards it but got side-tracked. Just wondering if anyone would be kind enough to give an opinion on some of the courses out there -
- theopencollege.com
either feature or news writing for journalism

- cmi-ireland.com
diploma in journalism and media

- journalismcourses.ie
various

- UL
Dilpoma/Masters in Journalism

Am very aware that, like creative writing, it is all too easy to be sucked into what is essentially vanity publishing. So, what I am asking is does anyone have anyone have any experience of the above being worthwhile as a solid base for job-hunting in the profession? Not expecting to be doing the feature in the Indo anytime soon, but need to work for my living.
Thanks in advance for any responses,
Gra
PS Mods - sorry for double posting, did not realise was still in Leaving Cert section

Batgurl

Whirlie wrote: »

Hi All,
Am currently unemployed, took voluntary redundancy in December last year. Very interested in a career in Journalism, did an arts degree in english and computer science 10 years ago with a view towards it but got side-tracked. Just wondering if anyone would be kind enough to give an opinion on some of the courses out there -
- theopencollege.com
either feature or news writing for journalism

- cmi-ireland.com
diploma in journalism and media

- journalismcourses.ie
various

- UL
Dilpoma/Masters in Journalism

Am very aware that, like creative writing, it is all too easy to be sucked into what is essentially vanity publishing. So, what I am asking is does anyone have anyone have any experience of the above being worthwhile as a solid base for job-hunting in the profession? Not expecting to be doing the feature in the Indo anytime soon, but need to work for my living.
Thanks in advance for any responses,
Gra
PS Mods - sorry for double posting, did not realise was still in Leaving Cert section

Digital media is the only way to go. Print is dying and pretty soon no one will be doing the features in the Indo.

IMO DCU is a great choice for these type of courses.

On a side note, start a blog: blogspot, wordpress, moonfruit are all free. Get an Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest account and just do it.

Whirlie

Hey Batgurl, thanks for the response. I understand the pressures on print journalism alright, but would have thought the basic job would be the same whether the articles ended up in print or online, and so the courses could still be worthwhile?
Will check out DCU prospectus, thanks. And the blog advice, have been putting off setting one up but know it is the only way to go really.