Options with your subject: Journalism

Most journalism students understand it is a fiercely competitive field, but fewer realise that the skills gained during their degree are useful in alternative occupations...

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Broadcast journalist
• Editorial assistant
• Magazine journalist
• Newspaper journalist
• Press sub-editor
• Publishing copy-editor/proofreader

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Advertising copywriter
• Information officer
• Market researcher
• Multimedia specialist
• Public relations officer
• Writer

 

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. To find out what jobs would suit you, log in to My Prospects.

Work experience

If your aim is to work directly within journalism, it is important to build up a portfolio of work and gain as much relevant experience as possible. Working on a student newspaper or radio station can be extremely useful.

You can gain valuable work experience by contacting TV production studios, radio outlets, magazines and newspapers. Writing voluntarily for websites, print publications or other media outlets is also a good way of adding to your portfolio and displaying your skills.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

The vast majority of journalism graduates find employment outside journalism and the media. Employers from many different sectors will hire journalism graduates. These employers include media companies, PR consultancies, communications agencies, charities and marketing organisations. Other common employers include the Civil Service and further and higher education institutions such as colleges and universities.

Opportunities can be found through a number of methods, including jobsites, networking and speculative applications.

Find information on employers in media and publishing, marketing, advertising and PR, and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

A journalism degree provides you with transferable skills that are highly valued by many employers. Your specific skills will include:

• critical analysis;
• a flexible, creative and independent approach to tasks;
• the ability to meet deadlines; and
• the ability to communicate information effectively and clearly.

Journalism students also gain strong research skills for sustained independent enquiry and are able to express ideas and information in written, oral or other forms. The ability to listen and to work productively in a team are also crucial skills which can be used in a variety of occupations.

Further study

Postgraduate courses and media training are popular with journalism graduates. For those determined to pursue journalism, a relevant training course accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ)  is highly desirable to media sector employers. But it is important to note that journalism students will often look at other further study options, such as studying for a teaching qualification.

When deciding what to study, consider your career plan, academic interests and the degree you have taken. Successful completion of a course does not guarantee entry into any particular area of work but it will enhance your skills and increase your chances of employment.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see postgraduate study in the UK and search courses and research.

What do journalism graduates do?

72% of journalism graduates are in employment six months after graduating. More than a quarter of these are working in the arts, design, culture and sports professions.

Find out what other graduates are doing six months after finishing their degrees in What Do Graduates Do?  

Graduate destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

AGCAS

Written by Nick White, AGCAS

Date: 

December 2011

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