Warning to budding journalists
It's actually starting to depress me, realising how hard it is going to be to get into Journalism. I have had a considerable amount of work experience in radio and in print, but it doesn't seem like enough by any means. Most newspapers I apply at ask for at least two years experience in the industry (which I havent got). My course isn't NCTJ credited so if I want to become a trainee, I will have to pay yet another chunk of tutition fees just to get a qualification that's recognised in the industry.
It's a nightmare and if any budding journalists who haven't decided what course to do at university yet- let this be a warning to you.
I got told yesterday by an editor of a newspaper that my journalism degree was useless. So what am I supposed to do? Apparently now in order for me to become a journalist, I have to spend an extra £6000 on getting this NCTJ qualification. So my debt at the age of 21 will amount to just over £20,000. Isn't that great? So rule one for those reading: Make sure your journalism degree is NCTJ credited. I forgot to ask, so make sure you do so this doesn't happen.
I have found editors rude, unhelpful and the industry in general unaccomadating of graduates trying to make a start as a journalist. I thought the general idea of being a trainee is to be trained on the job. I find it patronising that some newspapers won't take people on without years of experience (it seems to me that work experience and college/uni magazines don't count for s**t). What's even more insulting is that when the editors write back to me, they can't even spell! And they are telling the graduate to get 'proper' training. Send them back to school I say! I wish I could give some advice on this front. But I haven't even cracked this one myself. Those of you with advice for me would be much appreciated.
One newspaper wrote to me saying I don't stand a chance, with my degree, getting into the industry. However when I applied to a paper that funds people to do the NCTJ, I was told that my degree had actually covered everything in the NCTJ qualification and that I didn't need to do it. However unfortuntely they had already filled up their places on the paper but would be in touch if anything comes up. So at the moment i'm in limbo, broke with no job propects for the career i've been training for for the past three years.
Graduates just arn't given a chance in this country- well in the journalism industry anyway. You have to pay money to get into it in the first place and end up on a wage that wouldn't even feed you for a year. Its about the grade on the paper rather than your ability to write a god damn great story. It's patronising and because it's like this, new journalists doubt their own ability. I know some fellow grads who have given up on the dream of going into journalism, because they know that it's pointless even trying.
I'm not giving up just yet, I want to prove to myself that I can get somewhere without having to spend extra money doing a course that i've just done. I want to prove those snotty editors that you dont need a peice of paper to write a great article. I have worked too hard to let this go. I know that students are often seen as lazy, but for two years during uni I worked sometimes 40hours a week with university work and work experience. This will not go to waste, I wont let it. The phone has been permently stuck to my ear for the past three months, and I imagine it shall be for the next year or so.
However I have noticed that the US love grads, and there are so many places looking for journalist interns. New York here I come.
It's a nightmare and if any budding journalists who haven't decided what course to do at university yet- let this be a warning to you.
I got told yesterday by an editor of a newspaper that my journalism degree was useless. So what am I supposed to do? Apparently now in order for me to become a journalist, I have to spend an extra £6000 on getting this NCTJ qualification. So my debt at the age of 21 will amount to just over £20,000. Isn't that great? So rule one for those reading: Make sure your journalism degree is NCTJ credited. I forgot to ask, so make sure you do so this doesn't happen.
I have found editors rude, unhelpful and the industry in general unaccomadating of graduates trying to make a start as a journalist. I thought the general idea of being a trainee is to be trained on the job. I find it patronising that some newspapers won't take people on without years of experience (it seems to me that work experience and college/uni magazines don't count for s**t). What's even more insulting is that when the editors write back to me, they can't even spell! And they are telling the graduate to get 'proper' training. Send them back to school I say! I wish I could give some advice on this front. But I haven't even cracked this one myself. Those of you with advice for me would be much appreciated.
One newspaper wrote to me saying I don't stand a chance, with my degree, getting into the industry. However when I applied to a paper that funds people to do the NCTJ, I was told that my degree had actually covered everything in the NCTJ qualification and that I didn't need to do it. However unfortuntely they had already filled up their places on the paper but would be in touch if anything comes up. So at the moment i'm in limbo, broke with no job propects for the career i've been training for for the past three years.
Graduates just arn't given a chance in this country- well in the journalism industry anyway. You have to pay money to get into it in the first place and end up on a wage that wouldn't even feed you for a year. Its about the grade on the paper rather than your ability to write a god damn great story. It's patronising and because it's like this, new journalists doubt their own ability. I know some fellow grads who have given up on the dream of going into journalism, because they know that it's pointless even trying.
I'm not giving up just yet, I want to prove to myself that I can get somewhere without having to spend extra money doing a course that i've just done. I want to prove those snotty editors that you dont need a peice of paper to write a great article. I have worked too hard to let this go. I know that students are often seen as lazy, but for two years during uni I worked sometimes 40hours a week with university work and work experience. This will not go to waste, I wont let it. The phone has been permently stuck to my ear for the past three months, and I imagine it shall be for the next year or so.
However I have noticed that the US love grads, and there are so many places looking for journalist interns. New York here I come.
posted by Emma at 3:46 pm
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