| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | help a candidate who is making an effort to be a |
| As many as half of all graduates say they'd like a | | | | pleasant presence around a newsroom. |
| career in the media. That's a lot of graduates out | | | | These brief pointers should help ensure you get |
| there who want the same job you want or the | | | | the best out of your work experience placement |
| job, if you are already working in the media, you | | | | and that the newspaper gets the best out of you. |
| currently have. I've heard this statistic banded | | | | Somebody who is remembered as smart, |
| about many times - often by editors or managing | | | | friendly, helpful, eager to learn and always turns |
| directors of newspaper groups justifying the poor | | | | up on time will be in good stead for a job when |
| pay journalists tend to get. I have no reason to | | | | their training is completed. They are also the most |
| doubt the statistic - I've met a lot of graduates | | | | likely candidates to be offered further work |
| who say they'd like a career 'in the media'. Most | | | | experience in the future. Exceptional work |
| of them now work as management consultants, | | | | experience placements can also lead to a |
| accountants, in advertising or in sales. However, | | | | newspaper paying thousands of pounds to get |
| even if many of those who want a career in the | | | | you trained up as a journalist with the offer of a |
| media never quite get there, there is a simple | | | | job at the end of the training. Not all newspapers |
| truth: the route to being an employed journalist is | | | | offer this, but many do. Either way, work |
| competitive and the going is tough (at first). | | | | experience is the most important first step in |
| As is the case with all competitive environments it | | | | becoming a journalist. The second step, of course, |
| pays to ensure that you stand out from the | | | | is learning the craft through training. |
| crowd. But to know how to stand out from the | | | | Getting trained: |
| crowd, you have to know what an editor is | | | | There are hundreds of educational establishments |
| looking for from a potential candidate. Put simply, | | | | out there offering courses relating to the media. |
| editors tend to be looking for: | | | | They offer everything from degrees to home |
| A commitment to a career in journalism | | | | study courses. For newspaper journalism in the |
| Self-confidence that stops way short of | | | | UK, the organization nearly all editors look to is |
| arrogance | | | | the National Council for the Training of Journalists |
| An eagerness to learn and a keenness to help and | | | | (NCTJ). In broadcasting there is the Broadcast |
| get involved | | | | Journalism Training Council and Skillset. There are |
| We'll focus on the top of the editor's wish-list first. | | | | other bodies in both print and broadcast industries |
| Demonstrating a commitment to a career in | | | | but these three are generally the most respected |
| journalism is vital and will be something all editors | | | | organizations and qualifications accredited by them |
| are looking for in any new recruit. The following | | | | tend to hold the most sway with potential |
| steps all demonstrate a commitment to your | | | | employers. |
| chosen career: | | | | The NCTJ offers the leading training system in |
| Asking and undertaking unpaid work experience at | | | | the UK and the pre-entry qualification to |
| a local newspaper | | | | newspaper journalism is the one most newspaper |
| Working on a school, university or community | | | | editors expect to see before offering a candidate |
| newspaper or news-sheet | | | | a job. I started out after completing my NCTJ |
| Finding a good news story and then phoning a | | | | course and while most journalistic learning is done |
| newspaper with it whilst asking for work | | | | through experience and on the job, the skills |
| experience | | | | acquired on the NCTJ course were essential to |
| Undertaking training to become a journalist at one | | | | preparing me for the proper learning to take |
| of the many establishments that offer courses. | | | | place. The range of courses accredited by the |
| This not only shows you are committed to a | | | | NCTJ vary from year-long courses to much |
| career in journalism but also that you are willing to | | | | shorter 'fast-track' courses which last a few |
| go to the financial expense of getting yourself | | | | months. Either way, at the end you will have a |
| ready to become a journalist. | | | | good grounding and a qualification in: |
| Undertaking a degree in journalism or media | | | | Shorthand - the essential tool all journalists need in |
| studies: | | | | order to take down information and to quote |
| Believe it or not, the last option listed above will | | | | sources accurately. |
| be the least likely to impress an editor. Many | | | | Media law - editors live in fear of law suits from |
| editors are skeptical about the value of journalism | | | | people who have been defamed or from their |
| or media-based degree courses. They are often | | | | newspaper ending up in contempt of court. |
| tinged with more theory than practical tuition and | | | | Knowledge of media law is essential and you are |
| cover the ethics and philosophy of journalism | | | | unlikely to get a job without this invaluable |
| when most editors are more concerned with tight | | | | knowledge. |
| copy, written in a legally-sound way which will | | | | Public affairs - all reporters need an understanding |
| inform or entertain their readers. On a personal | | | | of the machinations of local and central |
| level, I think media studies and journalism degrees | | | | government because they often form the grist |
| are excellent and, if combined with experience of | | | | of newspaper stories. |
| working as a journalist, offer an excellent | | | | Writing - knowing how to write a news story is |
| grounding towards becoming a considered and | | | | obviously a vital skill that all editors are looking for |
| insightful reporter. But unless the degree includes a | | | | from their employees. The NCTJ course will hone |
| certificate to say you have got your shorthand | | | | your skills and teach you the basic style guide on |
| speed to (ideally) 100 words per minute, a | | | | which most newspaper writing styles are based. |
| thorough grounding in media law and court | | | | Training can be tough and the courses thorough |
| reporting, a basic understanding of local and | | | | and exacting. During your course you, or those |
| central government and proof that you know | | | | around you, will endlessly debate your current |
| how to construct a news story, a degree in | | | | shorthand speed and get exasperated that it isn't |
| journalism or media studies is unlikely to lead to a | | | | close to reaching the 100 word a minute industry |
| job. Unpaid work experience, however, often | | | | standard (for help with this click here). Shorthand |
| leads to a job - though not on its own. | | | | is one of the most important parts of training to |
| Work experience: | | | | get right and, for most people, it is the part of |
| If you don't have a cuttings file (a selection of | | | | the course that is both the most foreign and the |
| stories published in a newspaper written by you) | | | | part that raw intellect doesn't seem to improve. |
| then getting work experience is a vital step. Not | | | | During the course, it is a wise idea to keep getting |
| only does it give you invaluable experience of | | | | work experience or sending in good news stories |
| trying your hand at journalism it also gives you | | | | to newspapers to help build your cuttings file and |
| the opportunity to: | | | | to maintain contacts within the industry. |
| * See how a newsroom operates and how a | | | | Once you have a clutch of passes under your |
| newspaper is put together | | | | wing, and your shorthand at 100 words per |
| * Learn from experienced journalists and see how | | | | minute (or near), you are ready to head out |
| they handle different jobs Work out whether a | | | | there and seek employment. Sadly, even with the |
| career in journalism is really for you. | | | | proper credentials, competition for jobs can still be |
| * Show a potential employer what you have to | | | | fierce. Years ago, when I was applying for jobs I |
| offer | | | | sent out 61 application letters. I had one reply, |
| * Develop a cuttings file of your own work under | | | | which was an offer of an interview 200 miles |
| your own name | | | | from where I was living at the time. Luckily for |
| Getting work experience is reasonably straight | | | | me, this single response turned into my first job. |
| forward. In most cases all you will have to do is | | | | But it took a few months of sending out on-spec |
| ask. But you need to make sure you ask the | | | | applications to a huge number of newspapers. I |
| right person so it is usually best to telephone the | | | | hope you will not have the experience but, if you |
| newspaper or newspapers you are interested in | | | | do, know that you're in good company. |
| doing some work for and asking for the name of | | | | As an aside, and because it is a question I've been |
| the person who deals with work experience | | | | asked frequently by raw recruits, I wanted to |
| candidates. Sometimes this is the editor, | | | | touch on the issue of where to start your career. |
| sometimes the news-editor and sometimes the | | | | Most, including myself, start out on local |
| chief reporter. When you write your letter asking | | | | newspapers. But national newspapers also offer |
| for work experience, remember two main points: | | | | extremely good trainee schemes. Amongst most |
| 1. Check and double check for any spelling | | | | people in journalism training, the national press is |
| mistakes - it is often a good idea to then get | | | | held in much higher esteem. This is understandable |
| somebody else to check it a further time before | | | | - the readerships are (by and large) much greater, |
| sending it off. I have always avoided offering | | | | the stories tend to be greater in scope and scale, |
| work experience to candidates who cannot be | | | | the pay is better and the scene is more |
| bothered to check their spelling before sending | | | | 'glamorous'. Having worked in both the regional |
| something off. | | | | and national press I can see the merits in trying |
| 2. Keep it simple. Tell them you are interested in a | | | | to start out in both. If I was forced to make a |
| career in journalism and tell them that, in the | | | | choice, I would always advise starting with a local |
| longer term, you would love to work for their | | | | newspaper. My reasons for this are simple. Firstly, |
| paper. Highlight any skills you currently have that | | | | you get to learn your craft within a defined |
| could be counted as a journalistic tool and tell | | | | community and, if you make a mistake, your |
| them what your intentions are regarding training. | | | | community will be quick to point it out. This is a |
| Usually this sort of approach will get you a period | | | | useful fact of life and constantly focuses the |
| of work experience - usually a week or two. | | | | reporter's mind on the all important task of |
| Sometimes, because newspapers have a lot of | | | | getting things right and making sure stories are |
| people wanting work experience, you may have | | | | accurate. Secondly, you will tend to get more |
| to wait sometime before either hearing back or | | | | scope to practice your new skills and cover a |
| being offered a short term work experience | | | | plethora of different stories. Thirdly, your chance |
| placement. If you have a number of titles in your | | | | of getting a front page story or a page lead (the |
| area, apply to them all. | | | | main story on a page) in print is far higher. A |
| When you are offered work experience with a | | | | friend of mine spent 18 months on a trainee |
| newspaper, there are a few things to keep in | | | | scheme with one of the quality British broadsheet |
| mind in order to ensure you get the best out of | | | | papers. At the end of the 18 months she had |
| the placement and that you show your best sides | | | | only a handful of stories of stories with her name |
| to an organization that is a potential employer. It | | | | on it - the one I remember best was an interview |
| is wise to: | | | | with a bee-keeper. In the same period, I had |
| Dress smartly and appropriately as you would for | | | | covered bus and plane crashes , murders, major |
| a formal job interview. You may be sent | | | | education stories and an armed siege. All of my |
| anywhere at any time and, even if you are on | | | | stories were national stories, but I was writing for |
| work experience, you are still an ambassador for | | | | a local paper (indeed some of them were bought |
| the newspaper. If you end up shadowing an | | | | from me by national titles). |
| established reporter to court, you must wear a | | | | I had about 50 or so front page stories and |
| shirt and tie if you are male, or be smartly | | | | countless page leads in my portfolio. And my |
| dressed if you are female. This sounds an obvious | | | | cuttings portfolio is nothing out of the ordinary for |
| point but I've known work experience candidates | | | | the local reporter. My friend on the other hand |
| turn up wearing jeans and tee-shirts and in one | | | | was a raw recruit in a field of highly experienced |
| case a beanie hat. | | | | and very established (often specialized) national |
| Don't be afraid to ask questions about things you | | | | level journalists. The chances of her ever getting |
| are unsure of and offer your help whenever | | | | into print were slim when it came to writing hard |
| possible. Help may include offering to get file | | | | news. I respect views different to my own, but I |
| cuttings from the library or even just making the | | | | nevertheless hold firm to my view that the local |
| coffee. The point is you want to come across as | | | | press offers the best grounding in journalism. |
| a keen learner who wants to pitch in. | | | | That, I feel, is demonstrated by the fact that |
| Try to find stories both during the working day | | | | nearly all of the reporters working for the national |
| and outside of working hours. Most news-editors | | | | press started out on local newspapers. |
| and editors would be highly impressed with a | | | | A DEGREE OR NO DEGREE |
| work experience reporter bringing in their own | | | | Does having a degree help get a foot on the |
| news stories. They may not get used, but they | | | | journalistic ladder? Not necessarily. It never hurts, |
| will get you noticed. If they do get used, | | | | of course, to have an expertise in some area to |
| however, they will be more than noticed - they | | | | degree level and many journalists have degrees in |
| will be appreciated and you will be held in | | | | subjects like history or English. For specialist titles |
| increasingly high esteem. | | | | it can pay to have a degree in, say, science or |
| Listen to everything that is said to you. When I | | | | information technology. But for a general reporter |
| first did work experience for an evening title in | | | | a degree is by no means necessary. I have |
| Yorkshire I was fresh out of Cambridge | | | | worked with many people who do not have |
| University and I was convinced I was one of the | | | | degrees or A Levels and those people have often |
| best writers in the country. I was wrong, and I | | | | been editors or news-editors with a razor-sharp |
| did not have a clue how to write a news story. | | | | news sense and an incredible ability to generate |
| When this was pointed out by the news-editor I | | | | and produce great news stories. |
| was taken aback at first but I quickly saw what | | | | What is necessary is a good command of the |
| she meant and tried my best to learn the craft | | | | English language and numeracy skills. Usually a |
| from her and to learn fast. The golden rule really | | | | GCSE qualification in English and maths is a |
| is to do whatever is asked and to heed advice . | | | | requisite. But to get on in journalism a degree |
| Be confident, by all means, but avoid coming | | | | qualification will pale into insignificance compared |
| across as arrogant like the plague. Remember, | | | | with the following: |
| you are there to learn. | | | | An ability to write accurately and quickly |
| Always turn up on time. This sounds such an | | | | An ability to generate news stories on your own |
| obvious point that you might be surprised it's in | | | | initiative |
| this list. Believe me though, it wouldn't be in the list | | | | An interest and knowledge of your own |
| if it wasn't a mistake I've seen made again and | | | | community |
| again. Try to be a little early and leave a little | | | | An ability to ask the right questions of the right |
| after you are told you can depart. Newspaper | | | | people |
| reporters have to be punctual in their starting | | | | Many people who have not gone into higher or |
| times because many newspapers are deadline | | | | further education have been picking important |
| driven and news-editors need to be able to bank | | | | life-skills in the 'real world' which can become a real |
| on staff being where they are supposed to be in | | | | asset for a would-be journalist. The same goes |
| case they need something covering at very short | | | | for people wanting a career change into |
| notice. | | | | journalism. Such people are likely to get a warm |
| Be affable and upbeat. I've seen many work | | | | response from editors, whatever their age might |
| experience candidates sit quietly in the corner | | | | be. The reason is simple: mature candidates or |
| looking moody. I know that in most cases this | | | | those who did not go into higher education are |
| was a sign of nervousness in a newsroom. Whilst | | | | likely to be more 'street savvy' than those fresh |
| I can sympathise with that, I would much rather | | | | out of college. |