Can someone please help a fledgling journalist?

Question

I am currently at University (UK), due to graduate in early July with a BA in Archaeology. It is my ambition to become a journalist and put my natural investigative talent to good use, although I only decided upon this career path since starting University- hence the unrelated degree.

As I have no experience in this sector (save good writing and photography skills that I have been working on for years), what would be the best place for me to start? Ideally I would like to end up as a freelancer with good experience of how the trade works (having built up a list of contacts).

A friend recommended going to the local city weekly after graduation and seeing if they are taking on any 'juniors', then moving my way up to the big daily publications before even considering striking out on my own.

Is this the case? And if so, how should I approach my first weekly; is it worth making preliminary contact even before I graduate? What about training and wage in this position?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Honestly my friend, i don't know since am far away from UK. But from what you have written, and from my journalism sence, i feel that you have the will and the ability to develop your journalism skills. And i believe that where is a will, there's a way.
My advice for you, is one thing: experiance, experiance, and experiance. Even if you will pay from your own pocket. Since journalism is not studied through classes, but through the field.
ALL the best

Answer 2

Try getting work experience.

Is there a student newspaper at your uni?, contributing to this would help.

Maybe have a look at http://www.journalism.co.uk/