Journalist

Journalists research, write, edit and present information. They publish and present news stories through the use of words and/or pictures to a target audience. There are many different types of journalist and many different areas in which they could work

Work activities

Journalists bring the news by words and/or pictures to a target audience. They do this mainly through newspapers, magazines, online publications, radio and television. Journalists carry out research that involves collecting information, investigating stories and following up leads. For example, they talk to personal contacts; read articles and reports; carry out online research; and interview people face-to-face, over the telephone and by email. Most journalists begin their careers covering news, but some will go on to specialise in particular topics, such as the arts, education, health, finance, motoring, or sport. They also need to create and maintain a contacts book, listing details of people who might be useful sources of stories and quotes. When they have finished their research, the journalist writes the report or article for publication or broadcast.

They work to strict deadlines, which can sometimes mean producing a story within a matter of hours. Another journalist (known as a sub-editor) may edit their copy, but journalists are expected to make sure that their reports are accurate and fit the house style of the publication. They might work with photographers, editors, TV/radio crews or designers – often depending on which area of journalism they work in. Journalists who write for the web may also get involved with web building, blogging, podcasting, social media and mobile technology. Some journalists travel long distances, nationally or internationally, with their work – and often at short notice.

Personal qualities and skills

To be a journalist, you’ll need:

An excellent writing style.
Good spelling, grammar and punctuation.
An interest in and knowledge of the subject you’re writing about.
The ability to meet deadlines and keep calm under pressure.
To be curious and determined.
Good communication and listening skills, particularly when interviewing
IT skills, for example, in desktop publishing software.
The ability to take criticism from the editor or reader.

A knowledge of shorthand is very useful. Journalists who write for online publications might need basic web skills, for example, knowledge of content management systems. Freelance journalists benefit from business and marketing skills to promote and sell their article ideas to editors. You might need a driving licence for some positions.

Pay and opportunities

Salaries for journalists vary with the branch of journalism, employer, and whether they work locally, regionally or nationally. Newspaper journalists can expect to earn between £14,000 and £50,000, while broadcast journalists typically start on around £23,000, rising to £42,000. Very successful and/or senior journalists can earn much more, particular the few who achieve celebrity status.

Freelance journalists often charge a rate per day, per job or per 100 words of written content. You can view rate data on the National Union of Journalists website.

Journalists might have to work long, irregular hours, with early starts, late finishes and weekend work.

Employers are local, regional and national newspapers, as well as magazines and the broadcast media, including websites. Other employers are local and national government departments and large commercial and industrial companies, in which a journalist may produce in-house publications. Some work in book publishing or public relations.

There are opportunities for journalists in towns and cities throughout the UK. There are also opportunities for journalists to work in other countries, for example, as a foreign correspondent.

Journalists can work as self-employed freelancers.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local, regional and national newspapers. Vacancies also appear on websites such as Hold the Front Page and the Press Gazette, and there are specialist job boards such as journalism.co.uk. General job boards might also carry journalism vacancies. There are specialist recruitment agencies that deal with journalism and publishing vacancies. It’s a good idea to build up a network of relevant contacts, as not all journalism jobs are advertised. Speculative job applications can be useful.

Entry routes and training

The three routes into a career in journalism are:

Apprenticeship.
Direct entry.
Pre-entry through a college/university course.

Apprenticeships are available in the role of journalist (level 5) or senior journalist (level 7). Both are higher-level, non-degree programmes. Most of your training will be on the job, with the opportunity to work towards relevant qualifications at the same time.

Direct entry is when you are recruited by regional or local newspapers and carry out their basic training under the terms of a training contract. This route is rarely available. Most companies will provide you with distance learning materials and register you with the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).

Pre-entry, the most common route, is when you start work after doing a full-time, vocational training course, for both post-A level students and graduates. Some national radio/television journalists start their careers by working on newspapers or in local radio. Or you can apply to television companies for a place on their in-house training schemes (if they run one). Most entrants are graduates, as competition for jobs is fierce.

There are a number of degrees in journalism. However, it’s possible to enter with a degree in another subject. If you want to specialise in a particular area, such as fashion, music or science, a degree in a relevant area will be useful (or sometimes essential, as can be the case for scientific and medical journalists). The NCTJ provides qualifications for pre-entry trainee journalists, as well as professional qualifications for working journalists. The Professional Publishers Association (PPA) and the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) also approve courses.

Because there is intense competition for courses, training places and job vacancies, you should develop knowledge and skills through relevant work experience. Most colleges will only grant places to applicants who have already been on a brief work experience placement. You could gain experience on a free local paper, local radio or hospital radio station, or university student magazine, for example. Employers might ask to see a portfolio of this work, which shows your potential and commitment to become a journalist.

Progression is often to a larger publication or organisation. Some journalists become freelancers; others move into management roles or become editors or producers. Some journalists switch to a different media platform.

Qualifications

Most people enter after completing a full-time vocational training course. This route is known as pre-entry training. The minimum entry requirement for a course is usually five GCSEs and two A-levels. However, some courses are for graduates only. To get onto a higher apprenticeship, you’ll usually need two relevant A-levels, as well as GCSEs in English and maths or equivalent.

Adult opportunities

Some adults move into journalism after a career in another area, such as sport, music or computing.

If you don’t have the qualifications you usually need to enter a degree, foundation degree or HND course, you might be able to start one after completing a college or university Access course, such as Access to Journalism. You don’t usually need any qualifications to start an Access course, but you should check individual course details.

Sponsorship is available from the Journalism Diversity Fund and the George Viner Memorial Fund Trust for people from ethnically and socially diverse backgrounds.

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