Media, darlings

Media is the top career destination for finalists, according to the latest Graduate Careers Survey. The survey, conducted by High Fliers for the Times, found that 12.7% of last year's finalists applied for a job in the media.

They are attracted by the fast-paced working style, the chance to be creative, and the glamour of being involved. But the popularity of media jobs means they're extra hard to get.

We looked at what it takes to make it in journalism, music, tv and acting.

Journalism - the write job

Lots of people think they could make it as a writer, but work experience is essential in order to find out more about the work itself, and whether you're suited to it and it to you. Your local weekly newspaper is the best place to start - developing an eye for news on your own doorstep is as important as knowing the intricacies of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Doing as much writing as possible for the web, for student publications, or local newspapers or magazines will also demonstrate commitment to the job help build a portfolio.

Ric Papineau, Editorial Manager for the Mirror Group, which runs a graduate training scheme, says cuttings are essential to show that you're serious about a career in writing:

'We want people who have not just got to the end of their degree course and decided they want to do it, it's something they have been working at for some time; it's in their blood'.

As well as work experience, professional training is a must for all print or broadcast news writers. Postgraduate diplomas will give you an entire year of training, and cover the necessary bases of shorthand, law and government.

'Applicants need to convince us that we can turn them into journalists. We need to be sure newspaper journalism is the career for them and be confident that an editor somewhere will want to employ them at the end of the course,' says Sara Hadwin, newspaper journalism tutor at Cardiff School of Journalism.

Top courses will be run by former high-flying journalists who have the contacts to get students good work experience and, potentially, jobs. With this advantage, however, will come with a hefty bill - some national and regional newspaper groups sponsor a few graduates a year, but the rest will find themselves self-financing fees of around £4,000. The shorter - usually four month - National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) courses, which cover the same bases, may be a cheaper alternative.

Music - eight days a week

While there is no formal way into the music industry, there are plenty of ways of getting your foot in the door, whether you fancy working in promotion and A&R, or want to get behind the mixing desk.

Studios all over the country offer training and many supplement their income by running courses. The Red Tape Studios in Sheffield runs courses from the basics to advanced BTECs in studio operation, production, mixing and music technology.

'A lot of people have a home studio these days and are quite proficient at getting it to do what they want, but they might not understand the concepts behind it,' says Nick Buck, BTEC co-ordinator at Red Tape. 'Courses like ours make sure you understand why it works and how it works so you can go to any mixing desk and make it work.'

Once you have the skills, finding that first job is still hard, says Nick. It is still 'about getting yourself out there'.

'The music industry is one of the tricky ones to get into. There isn't a formal path. The courses we teach will give you a brilliant grounding in what you need to know, but it's about networking, knocking on doors, saying, "Can I work for you for free for two weeks?"'

The same goes at the record companies. Danielle Sammeroff, Street-Team co-ordinator in promotions at WEA London records, says no two people get into the business the same way.

'Some did music courses - most didn't. Most people, unless they are very lucky, have done a decent amount of work experience. It is almost as if, to show you are willing and dedicated, everyone has to pay their dues before they get a paid job.'

Of course, the legal and finance departments require qualifications, but for the music side of the business, Danielle says: 'You want an intelligent articulate person who is hard working, has their own personality, a passion for music and is willing to work their backsides off.'

TV - careers in the box

For those wishing to snatch a career in television, the bad news is this: three years spent in front of the goggle-box passed off as 'research' on your CV won't be enough to get you hired. The way in, it seems, is through enthusiasm, perseverance, unpaid work experience and the odd useful contact.

James Shaw, a politics graduate from Lancaster University, got his break in TV after a four-week work experience placement, arranged via a contact, at the BBC. Having suitably impressed bosses and shaken as many hands as possible, James got a job as a runner in the BBC's Specialist Factual Popular Features unit (the department behind Rolf On Art, Animal Hospital and, he assures, some programmes that don't feature Rolf Harris).

Since then, his job titles have ranged from runner to junior researcher to researcher, but not necessarily in that order. A graduate pursuing a career in TV, it seems, must be prepared to do dogsbody work when necessary.

'Some producers just have the attitude that you're there to clean up for them,' says James. 'You just have to keep chipping away at the coalface.'

One hitch for new applicants (especially those seeking work on the technical side) is that many jobs go to established freelances so getting your foot in the door can be tricky.

Jane Long found an unorthodox entry into the industry has been the key to a TV career with prospects - she works as a PA for a TV editor and sees it as a springboard to the creative side of the industry. Jane had been temping as a PA after graduation and her experience in that area that led her to her current position. Now she's building up those essential contacts and being trained as a researcher.

For those who prefer a more structured route, most major TV companies offer some form of graduate training scheme so postgraduate education is rarely a requirement. MTV offer six-month internships with reasonable pay in every facet of their operation, stipulating only that applicants should apply for a position related to their course of study. The BBC, who offer training schemes in everything from journalism to engineering, list creativity, passion, commitment and drive as the key qualities they look for in applicants. Oh, and they also look for people who watch a variety of television programmes and channels critically; so maybe all that 'research' wasn't a complete waste of time after all.

Acting - all the world's a stage

In comparison to more traditional graduate jobs, acting seems an attractive career option. However graduates who are serious about treading the boards should be prepared to make an appearance in a lecture theatre before they hit the West End.

A recent study conducted by Manpower suggests 86% of British actors working in the profession have relevant professional training. Peter James, the principal of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) says training is the key to unlocking the profession, but cautions that drama school is not a guaranteed route to fame and fortune.

'A good actor is very good at pretending to be someone else,' he says. 'He or she should have the ability to adapt to any opportunity in the business and the confidence to rise to challenges.'

There are no formal entry requirements to many drama courses, but students often have to pass acting auditions to determine their suitability and talents.

Either academic or vocational acting courses may be offered, the difference being the amount of practical work and the focus of the course. 'Academic courses offer either purely theoretical or a mix of theoretical and practical work, but are focused on an academic investigation of their subject largely assessed through written work,' says a spokesperson for Birmingham School of Acting. 'Vocational courses are focused on the practical application of the subject assessed in performance.'

Postgraduate diploma courses are extremely intensive, and it is important that students are able to make the most of every opportunity. In addition schools may not be able to teach such a broad range of subjects, choosing rather to concentrate on teaching the essential elements in depth. There are also fewer opportunities for public performance than on the BA programmes.

It is well known that acting is an uncertain and often poorly paid profession. According to one estimate, the basic minimum annual rate for an actor working in a London's West End theatre is around £14,800 for nightly performances and £17,400 for twice-nightly performances. Income for those working in the provinces is around £12,200 for nightly performances and £13,300 for twice-nightly performances.

Peter says the career path of an actor can be a rocky and uncertain one and putting oneself on the line every day requires determination and a solid commitment to the profession. 'A good actor is not necessarily a famous one,' he says.

Further information on careers in the media sector.