Is 26 too late to begin a career in journalism?

Question

I have always wanted to be a journalist but have never had the guts to put myself 'out there'. However, I would really like to change careers and am wondering how easy it would be to make a move into journalism - probably magazine.

I live in London and currently am looking at taking a part-time training course while I continue with my current job and maybe get some work experience - so far I have only had one article published although I do a lot of writing for work. I also have a degree in English.

Any advice anyone could provide would be seriously appreciated. I am also slightly concerned about a drop in salary so anyone who knows how much junior reporters would earn/how quickly they could be promoted I would be grateful if you could let me know.

Answer 1

You are young. Make sure to start a portfolio of your writing samples for potential employers. The best way to build a strong portfolio is to start off as a freelance writer. Talk to editors and other writers. Most newspapers and magazine editors love freelance writers because they can count on one or two articles a week from you.
You can be really marketable if you also submit photos with your work.

Answer 2

Of course it's not too late! My first journalism job was at 27. Many media companies prefer someone with real world experience. Depending on what career you are in now, you might try proposing a column or article discussing your current field (for example, "what it's like to be a real estate agent," or "waiting tables isn't for the timid").
I only know American media, but I'd suspect in London also that you're right about expecting a drop in salary.
You might have more luck starting out with newspapers. Start sending in articles, columns, reviews, whatever you want to write. But my advice is: start small. Look for smaller community newspapers and niche magazines. Those are more often looking for content and more often open to new writers. Once those papers and magazines run your items a few times, then you can start clipping them and getting a real portfolio together. Once you have a portfolio, you can present it to larger markets and larger magazines.
Email me if you want more info. Good luck!!

Answer 3

It's never too late, just be prepared for terrible pay when you start. I have found my writing jobs in various places, but the more I wrote, the more I found myself getting assigned in a particular genre, and now I am primarily a nightlife culture writer. Many jobs I found through Craigslist, but my most steady (as House Editor for URB Magazine) I got after being featured in the mag itself! They loved my respsonses so much they asked for further writing samples which lead to me becoming a guest writer and eventually a section editor.

If you are submitting sample pieces for a freelance position, it souldn't matter much where you've worked in the past, i.e. your writing should speak for itself, but if applying for a salaried position at a paper/magazine, expect to start at the bottom if there is no previous experience.

Also, when submitting work, make sure it is relevant to what is asked for. One of the first writing jobs I applied for was "corporate writer" for Shure. The writing I submitted they said was good, but unapplicable to the speech writing needed for the position, and thus I didn't even get an interview.

My favorite freelance writing sites:
http://www.electricpenguin.com/ohi/jobs/
http://www.freelancewriting.com/

And of course, never underestimate the power of Craigslist.org

Answer 4

No it's never too late to become a good journalist - there is a shortage in fact. Loads of hacks and feature writers but few good investigative journalists who will get out there and catch the politicians with their pants down! Try writing to start with - see if you are any good. Maybe on blogger or blogspot. or try newsvine. Read my stuff on Newsvine then come back to answers impressed and give me top answer and 10 points. lol

Answer 5

There are some good courses for journos at the LCP in Elephant & Castle. I recommend you contact some of the major publishing companies EMAP, Conde Nast, BBC, IPC and contract publishing companies like Redwood. Drop in salary i'm afraid goes with the territory. In time, your salary will increase and you will be happier and more fulfilled. Good luck.

Answer 6

1

Answer 7

dont be so soft of course its not to late, i changed careers at 25 from a nurse to a doctor i had to go back to uni for 6 years (hard i tell you) but if i can do it so can you....im afraid i dont know owt about journalism and how to get into it tho ..sorry...go for it tho! youlll always wonder if you dont

Answer 8

Hey if your from london try this search out goals project there is two of them one is football the other is media it a short taster in media the course runs for 6 weeks and is sponsored by the BBC the course covers all aspects of media and you get to meet some people who maybe able to help

Answer 9

No, it's never to late, we've still got time, it's never to late. Kylie

Answer 10

why not? if you're still capable of writing and its something you're passionate about you could start at 62! good luck to you! i really hope it works out its great that you're changing to do something that really makes you happy.