A Career in Journalism

A Career in Journalism can be considered a highly competitive career choice.  However, if you love writing and want a career that is fast paced and different everyday then a career in journalism could be for you.

Career Opportunities in Journalism
There are many career opportunities within the field of journalism from being a reporter on a newspaper or a magazine to working on-line. Students entering the field are usually at graduate level. Typically you would be expected to have five GCSE’s at C and above and at least two A-levels.

NCJT  Pre- Entry Certificate
Journalism careers are mostly learnt and “fine-tuned” on the job, although increasingly there is a mass of underpinning knowledge like law and the structures of central and local government, as well as learning shorthand for speech reporting, which are best ideally taught before employment on an industry approved pre-entry course.

The profession of journalism is now so competitive that you have to be fully qualified to enter it. In order to work at a regional or national newspaper you will need your NCTJ (National Council for the training of Journalists)  Preliminary Certificates in Journalism examinations. These qualifications are viewed by the industry as your foundation into the profession and are an industry basic. From there you may be able to apply for a position as a junior reporter. For a regional or national newspaper. Writing for magazines does tend to be less strict than the newspapers. However, it is highly recommended that you pursue the NCJT  Pre –Entry course route.

Journalism degrees
There are hundreds of courses in journalism. The National Council for the Training of Journalists undertakes all training on behalf of the newspaper industry in Britain, and accredits nearly 30 universities and colleges in Britain which teach its syllabuses and whose students sit various NCTJ qualifying preliminary exams. So, make sure that your course is accredited before you take the plunge!

For more information on a career in journalism contact:
National Council For The Training of Journalism direct on 01279 430009 for more information.                                                                                                                          www.ncjt.com

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