Help! i have just finished an HND in media and am going to start uni in the Autumn at 3rd yr to continue media. I am working part time as a reporter for a local paper during the summer hols. They can offer me a full time position but it would mean not going to uni. Should i take the job or do my degree? I want to be a journalist for a national newspaper eventually. What is the best way to realise my dream job!!
2006-08-01 11:30:36 · 9 answers · asked by pulsatron69 2 in News & Events ➔ Media & Journalism
Great answers so far, thank you but you guys are as divided as me lol. To be honest where i live in Scotland jobs are hard to come by, especially in the field i want to get into, and so close to home. It would be different if I lived in London or Edinburgh or somewhere where there were more job opportunities... Any Editors and other journo's out there got any ideas?
2006-08-02 01:19:09 · update #1
I used to be a journalist - so I hope I can help.
Whatever level of education you reach, you'll need to be indentured by a local newspaper. The length of your indenture will depend on what qualifications you have. It's something like 2.5 years if you have GCSEs, 1.5 years with A'levels and 6 months with a degree. Or something like that - it's been a while.
I was in exactly the same position as you at 18 - I had to choose between the offer of a job on a local paper, and going to university to study English lit. I chose the former - and I have no regrets.
You will get a brilliant grounding in journalism working from the bottom up. You'll start by making tea and move on to writing reports in due course.
It's possible to do a degree in journalism - but to be fair, it's not really necessary in order to persue a career - it's more useful for people who may become lecturers in the subject later on.
As part of your indenture, you'll be sent to college on a day release basis - where you'll learn journalistic law, style and history. So, you won't miss out on any training.
If you specifically asked for my advice - I'd suggest taking the newspaper job. But be aware, you'll be paid peanuts - will be expected to stay late frequently without extra pay, and will find yourself living off your expenses. But it's a job unlike any other, and you'll have a great time.
Good luck!!
2006-08-01 11:50:35 · answer #1 · answered by Hello Dave 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the person who used to be a journalist. I also worked on newspapers so hope this comment will be of use. A degree is not necessary to get into journalism. In fact, there is a big element of reverse snobbery among newspaper people, who often have the attitude of 'if you wanted to be a journalist why did you fanny around for 3 years studying geography or microbiology or whatever?' I'm also not convinced that a degree in 'media' is much help: editors generally look for the NCTJ journalism qualification, which is specifically relevant to newspaper work. You've made the most important step you possibly can by getting a job on a local paper. National newspapers usually recruit people who have experience on local papers. Don't waste that opportunity just for the sake of getting a meaningless degree: take the local paper job but make sure they train you up to take the NCTJ certificate - that's the qualification that really matters.
2006-08-01 23:54:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is so tough! I'm in my final year doing geography at Uni but my dream is to be journalist. I'm on holiday in London and went round the BBC studios today to see what it was all like and have never been more determind. Apparently, they look for people with experience AND academic qualifications. You can risk it and work your way through the ranks or go to Uni where, trust me, the opportunities are endless: writing societies, media discussion groups, student newspapers, student radio... Plus it's fun and will prepare you creatively in an environment with more freedom and less rigid boundaries of what is good and bad journalism. Either way love I really hope you make it, it's a difficult industry but well worth the stress... I hope! x
2006-08-01 11:42:26 · answer #3 · answered by Alice S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should complete your uni and then go for a high paying job. You will have beeter credentials if you fully graduate.
I think you will be better served if you complete your education and maybe get a rockin internship the summer between 3 and 4th year. Then apply as a full graduate to national paper or magazines after graduation.
Never ever settle. Always reach for your dream. Hard work and dedication are the essentials to makeing your dream a reality.
GO FOR IT :)
2006-08-01 11:42:46 · answer #4 · answered by austinguurl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go for it - especially good jobs in journalism are hard to find. If they'll fire you you can always get the degree then.
I think in the end people are more interested whether you're a good journalist or not than having a degree.
2006-08-02 02:20:58 · answer #5 · answered by The Phantom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tough decision......find out about night courses and home study courses that would allow you to finish your degree. The experience you will gain working on the newspaper will be invaluable. Maybe you can have the best of both worlds. Good Luck!
2006-08-01 11:41:49 · answer #6 · answered by darajay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't need a university degree to succeed, but you may need one to satisfy your intellectual potential.
Which is more important, doing the job you have or finding out what else there is you could be doing? If it's the latter then go for the degree.
2006-08-01 11:51:29 · answer #7 · answered by Trust Me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go for the job, experience outweighs everything, once you're in the job with some years experience, you'll find other publications who want to snap you up, and other media jobs for the taking.
2006-08-04 09:12:40 · answer #8 · answered by Calamity Jane 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bad choice
2006-08-04 04:25:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋