Press Gazette Journalism Training Supplement 2009

JOURNALISM TRAINING SUPPLEMENT 2009

YOUR GUIDE TO

JOURNALISMTRAINING

Inside

YOUR GUIDE TO

JOURNALISMTRAINING

Details of undergraduate, post-graduate and other journalism courses – In person: why I became a journalist – What I look for in an applicant

– Should you do shorthand? – Make the most of your course

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TRAINING COURSES — 03

www.pressgazette.co.uk / NEWSROOM 020 7324 2385 PRESS GAZETTE — JOURNALISM TODAY / JANUARY 2009

JOURNALISM AS A CAREER? It’s a toughworld out there and getting in is ahighly competitive process.

We’re heading for, if not already in,a full recession – advertising income,on which everyone except the BBCrelies, is falling through the floor.

The industry is grappling with newtechnology, with varying degrees ofsuccess. There are serious questionsabout whether the industry can affordthe journalism and news output we’veall taken for granted up to now.

Salary levels are, in some cases,pathetic, workloads daunting. Manynewspapers and magazines may closeor merge; ITV has severely cut backits regional news output; commercialradio is dropping news bulletins andjournalists’ jobs and centralisingnewsrooms; many companies haveput a freeze on recruitment.

The nature of journalism itself isunder debate, the industry is trying to define required new skills andknowledge. So tough times requiresome tough talking.

First, despite everything, journalismremains one of the most exciting,demanding, satisfying jobs in theworld. You’ll love it. But dreaming the dream isn’t enough – here’s thewake-up call.

You’ll need some understanding ofthe world, the media and news, to

read newspapers and magazines,watch TV, listen to radio on differentplatforms, not just the latest YouTubefavourite.

You must to be able to spell,understand the English language,express yourself articulately andcorrectly in writing and conversation.For broadcasting you may need a clear voice.

You should be a good listener,confident, able to argue a case and be open to argument, have a curiousnature, be interested in those aroundyou.

COMMITMENTIt’s going to take enthusiasm,

commitment, a basketful of skills andknowledge and a great deal of hardwork at all hours of the day and night.And a driving licence. Then there’syour training.

The days of single-medium skills areover – all employers want everything.

You’ll be taught how to write formultiplatform output – at least sixdistinctly different skills – print, radio,TV, online, blogs and mobile phones –optimising for search engines, how toshoot/record and edit video, stills andaudio, to operate in website templateswith some understanding of how todesign your own.

You need to understand thedemands of a modern, “converged”newsroom – different deadlines andpriorities, choices and decisions to

▲

So you want to be a journalist?

JOURNALISM CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING CAREER CHOICES YOU MAKE,BUT JUST WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF YOU, EVEN BEFORE TRAINING BEGINS? JIMLATHAM OF THE BROADCASTJOURNALISM TRAINING COUNCIL SPELLS IT OUT...

Inside

This Journalism Training 2009 supplement was edited byJulie Tomlin. It was designed by Brightbird Editorial Services([email protected]) for Press Gazette

So you think you want to be a journalist? In anindustry where a strong sense of traditionremains, journalist Nicholas Tomalin’s claim that the “only qualities essential for real successin journalism are rat-like cunning, a plausiblemanner, and a little literary ability" still carriessome weight.

But journalism is a fast-changing industry –jobs are changing as new platforms aredeveloped and the ways of getting into the careerhave also multiplied in recent years. Mostentering the profession are graduates with a specialist vocational training course undertheir belt.

Packed with advice from journalists who sharetheir experiences, this guide aims to help youthink about the kind of work you want to do andfind the most suitable course.

There is advice from industry bodies such asthe National Council for the Training ofJournalists, the Periodicals Training Counciland the Broadcast Journalism Training Council,and because not all courses are accredited, achecklist produced by the National Union ofJournalists may help you decide which is bestfor you.

Journalism is a challenging career – getting onto a course, finding a job and moving up thecareer ladder takes determination andcommitment. But if you think you have what ittakes, this guide should help you on your way.

About this supplement

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s aent toltos and

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03 So you want to be a journalist? Jim Lathamfrom the Broadcasting Training Council sets outwhat it takes04 Accreditation: What is it and how important is it when choosing a course?06 The Times Iraq correspondent Deborah Hayneson being a journalist, and Liz Page from theNational Council for the Training of Journalists on getting into regional newspapers08-12 Course listings: From undergraduate and post graduate to fast-track, foundation and block release13Working in consumer and business magazines:Advice from Loraine Davies of the PeriodicalsTraining Council14 Journalism funding: Sources of finance for your training15 Lee McConville on how the Diversity Fund helpedhim fulfill his dream of working as a journalist16-17 Dave Lee on how to get the most out of your course18 National Union of Journalists’ checklist forchoosing the right course for you

Supp 03-4 PH6 jt•.QXP:Layout 1 16/12/08 14:33 Page 3

make for the differentplatforms, news flows, how tomanage your time to deliver onall those platforms – and stillhave the extra, special, spark of creativity and originality, tomake the different angles youchoose for each platform standout from the others and thecompetition.

And of course you need thosetraditional, core journalismskills and knowledge – knowingwhat a news story is,recognising it when it happens,how to research it accuratelyand safely, with and withoutinternet search engines, how to distinguish truth from fiction,fact from fantasy, how to pitch it to your editor, findinterviewees, pictures andaudio, interview, how to do all this and remain safe andhealthy, to handle risk

assessment and dangerousassignments.

Then there’s the knowledge –no training in law, ethics andindustry regulation makes youdangerous. No employers aretaking risks these days – notwith seven-figure Ofcom andHigh Court penalties andhighly public criticism in the offing.

Concepts of fairness,objectivity and trust and whatthey mean in modern journalismare also crucial.

Because politics andgovernment are the source of so much news, you mustunderstand how governmentworks at every level, whichdepartment is responsible forwhat role, who the players areat every level.

That’s the picture TODAY.If anything, the pace of change

is increasing, even more newtechnology is emerging with aneven-bigger impact on what wedo and how we do it and theaudience/readership’s alsochanging – it was at the root ofthe recent BBC Radio 2 debacle.

If you’re about to entertraining, the employmentlandscape you finally emergeinto will almost certainly lookvery different again, so youmust stay in touch withdevelopments.

That’s it. Simple really.

JANUARY 2009 / PRESS GAZETTE — JOURNALISM TODAY NEWSDESK 020 7324 2385 / www.pressgazette.co.uk

04 —JOURNALISM TRAINING 2009

THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF training courses in the UK using the word journalism in theirtitles – at colleges, universities,private/commercial training providers.

They are aimed both at entry-levelstudents and those already working in the industry and looking for updates and career development.

There are short courses, dealing in single,specific sets of skills and knowledge, part-time courses, full undergraduate andpostgraduate degrees, diplomas andcertificates, some recognised by theindustry, some not, some expensive, some less so.

Some are regarded with a degree ofsuspicion by employers, but many receivetheir unstinting support and remain theirprimary recruiting source.

Most “media studies” courses won’t giveyou the essential practical skills andknowledge to convince a would-be employer– sociological analysis of journalism may bea useful background but will never replacepractice skills as the starting point for aworking journalist.

So how do you choose the right course,the “best” course? The operative word is“accreditation” – but what does it mean?

There are currently three national trainingorganisations in the UK accreditingjournalism courses – the BroadcastJournalism Training Council, the National

Council for the Training of Journalists,covering newspapers and magazines and the Periodicals Training Council,covering magazines.

Crucially, these bodies are the linksbetween training providers of all types andtheir specific sectors of the industry. Theydiscuss and agree with employers whatskills they’re looking for, pass thoserequirements to the trainers and, if thetrainers can deliver those skills to agreedstandards, accreditation follows.Teams ofemployers and trainers visit the courses,inspect what they’re doing and talk to staffand students as part of the process.

There are differences between the three –the NCTJ sets its own exams and is a formalqualifications body, and both the NCTJ and PTC offer their own training on acommercial basis, as do the National Unionof Journalists and a few of the mainemployer groups.

You’ll find details of courses on pages 8-12

in this supplement and on the websites ofthe accrediting bodies: www.bjtc.org.uk,www.nctj.com, and www.ppa.co.uk.

There are, of course, many courses whichare NOT accredited, but one way of decidingwhether they are any good is to use theauthoritative guidelines and criteria foraccreditation available from the BJTC, NCTJand PPA, and see whether the unaccreditedcourse you are looking at taking matches upin terms of aims and objectives, staffing,numbers of students, facilities, equipment,access, proven success rates, cost… and askthe right questions.

You must be clear about what you want todo and confident that any course you selectcan deliver what you need to realise yourambition – the BJTC, NCTJ and PPA all offercareers advice.

That’s the basics of accreditation. It’sobviously more complicated, not leastbecause the traditional differences betweenprint and broadcast journalism have all butdisappeared and all employers, whether inprint or broadcast, want ALL the skills formultiplatform journalism. It’s a hugechallenge for the providers.

That is why the BJTC, NCTJ and PPA nowwork closely together in a “shadow” groupcalled the Joint Journalism Training Council– you’ll be hearing more about that.

NUJ COURSE CHECKLIST: PAGE 18

Some help with choosing

JIM LATHAMis Secretary ofthe BroadcastJournalismTraining Council

The BJTC is a partnership of allthe main employers in the UKbroadcast industry. Councilmembers set the criteria forcourse accreditation and thensend teams of professionaljournalists and tutors to inspectcourses and provide advice.

BJTC accreditation standardsare based on direct practicalexperience, and all accreditedcourses are valued by teachers,students, employers andemployees, as they are relevantand responsive to the operationaldemands of the broadcastingindustry. The BJTC is also involvedin helping set vocationaleducation policy, through anotherpartner, Skillset, and theirconnection with the DfES, DCMSand QCA.www.bjtc.org.uk; www.skillset.org

About the BJTC

JIM LATHAM OF THE BJTC EXPLAINSTHE PURPOSE AND VALUE OF ACCREDITED TRAINING COURSES

With so many courses tochose from, how do you knowwhich is best? Accreditation isthe operative word...


JournalismCourses

www.lambethco llege.ac.uk

Foundation Degreein Journalism

2 year course with the option to top-up toBA Honours Degree at

London Metropolitan University.

NCTJ Pre-EntryNewspaper Journalism

18 weeks / 4 days a week.February and September starts.

For details telephone or emailWendy McClemont at our Vauxhall Centre,

Belmore Street, Wandsworth Road SW8 2JY

020 7501 [email protected]

or visit the courses section on the website

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Train to be a journalist or photojournalist in the offices ofa daily newspaper. Take our unique fast track courses,accredited by the NCTJ, to give you the skills to help youachieve your dreams of a new career. We specialise insub-editing for newspapers, magazines and online.

Our fast track NCTJ Certificate in Journalism (Sub-editing) is an intensive course in how to be ajournalist. The sort of journalist who can find stories;write stories; make them legally safe and accurate andthen can sub-edit other reporters' work, by cutting andcorrecting them; writing the headlines, laying them outon page and importing the pictures. We also teach youhow to adapt these skills for the web.

Our Certificate in Photojournalism is designed to equipstudents with the skills and experience to take picturesand video that will sell to the media. It leads to NCTJexams on photojournalism.

Brighton Journalist WorksArgus House, Crowhurst Road, Brighton, BN1 8AR

01273 540350www.journalistworks.co.uk



OVER THE PAST SEVEN DAYS, I’vecovered a mass demonstration,thrown questions at Iraq’s primeminister, interviewed would-beinsurgents, chatted to Iraqiwomen at a beauty salon about politics, and covered a bomb attack.

Next week I plan to embedwith the US military, the weekafter I hope to travel to thesouthern Iraqi city of Basra, in a few minutes I have to dash offto interview a few Bulgarian andRomanian troops about theirwork in Iraq since the invasion.

Being a journalist, particularly

a foreign correspondent, meansthat no two days are the same.The hours are long, the life isoften lonely and the deadlinesare stressful, but the buzz ofgetting a great story makeseverything else worthwhile.


06 — JOURNALISM TRAINING 2009

Deborah HayneI became a jou

DEBORAH HAYNES WAS THE FIRST WINNER OF THETONY BEVINS “RAT UP ADRAINPIPE” AWARD, SET UPTO HONOUR THEINVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTBY RECOGNISING THERIGOROUS REPORTINGHE CHAMPIONED

Time for tea in Iraq

Curiosity, communication skills anda sense of community. These arethree qualities regional newspapereditors are looking for whenrecruiting the bright new talent ofthe future. Oh, and the ability towork long, hard hours, to write forprint and online, and to expectevery day to be different.

Journalism is massively over-subscribed, so if you want toconvince an editor you’re the onefor the job you also need todemonstrate an interest in current affairs at all levels, a livelyinterest in people, places andevents, and a clear writing stylecombined with good spelling,

grammar and punctuation.As well as qualities, newspaper

editors are looking for skills. Thetraditional skills of print journalistsinclude shorthand, up-to-dateworking knowledge of the law andpublic affairs, interviewingtechniques and the ability to writein newspaper style.

They are all still needed, but in amodern newsroom journalists arealso likely to write for thenewspaper’s website and in manycases do video reporting as well.Magazines can also be part of thenewsroom mix, with their ownwriting style to be learned.

It’s an exciting world for today’s

Liz Page: What regional editors look for

Telephone: (01279) 868100Visit: www.harlow-college.ac.uk

Harlow College Velizy Avenue Harlow Essex CM20 3LH

Follow in the footsteps of the UK’stop journalists, Piers Morgan,Alan Rusbridger, Kelvin MacKenzie.Like them, start YOUR career in Journalism at Harlow College’s prestigious Journalism Centre.Accredited by the NCTJ and the PTC.

Prepare for your chosen career with a:

Journalism degree, accredited by Anglia Ruskin University

Foundation degree in Sports Journalism

Or train for a job in print or online with a:

Fast-track newspaper course

Fast-track magazine course, or a

One-year newspaper course

First for Journalism

Sheffield is one of the top universities in the country. Its BA Journal-ism Studies course, which prepares students for employment in the

media, is rated first in the Times University Guide 2009 subject leaguetable, and in the National Student Survey. This course is accredited by

the National Council for the Training of Journalists, the BroadcastJournalism Training Council and the Periodicals Training Council. Our

applied postgraduate courses are accredited variously by one ofthese bodies. The top student in the NCTJ exams this year came from

Sheffield’s MA in Print Journalism. Our graduates are employed allover the media, in the UK and abroad. We are highly regarded for ap-plied teaching and research, for our industry links and for the profes-

sional backgrounds of our staff.

These are our courses: BA (Hons) Journalism Studies

BA (Hons) Journalism and a Modern Language(French, Spanish, German or Russian)

MA/Postgraduate Diploma in Print JournalismMA/ Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast JournalismMA/Postgraduate Diploma in Magazine Journalism

MA/Postgraduate Diploma in Web JournalismMA in Political Communication

Information about these courses and how to apply from:

Journalism StudiesThe University of Sheffield

18-22 Regent Street, Sheffield S1 3NJ

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2009 — 07


I wanted to become areporter from when I was ateenager doing a two-weekwork-experience stint on theAldershot News.

I loved the idea of askingtough questions, uncoveringsecrets and communicatingevents in other parts of theworld to people back home.

EXPECTATIONS

The job has more than livedup to expectations. Highlightsso far include raising the plightof Iraqi interpreters working for the British military in Iraq.Many had been killed or forcedto quit their job by Shiamilitants in the south whoregard them as traitors.

The day the first piece waspublished, the Governmentannounced a review of policyregarding Iraqi staff. Twomonths later it had deviseda new scheme to offerthem assistance.

Another event that sticks in my mind is covering themoment the United Stateshanded back sovereignty to Iraq

a couple of days earlier thanexpected at the end of June2004, a move that caught mostpeople off guard.

I was at the handoverceremony and was made poolreporter for the subsequentdeparture of Paul Bremer, thethen head of the US mission.

As pool, you cover an event exclusively on theunderstanding that your copy is

filed to everyone. As a result, Iwas taken out of the conferenceearly and handed my mobilephone before the rest of thepress pack (all forms ofcommunication had beenconfiscated), enabling me tomake a call to my bureau toreport the breaking news of thehandover as I was being bundledinto the back of a Chinook totravel to Baghdad airport.

LIVELY COLOUR

At times, journalism seemsmore like entertainment than aserious job. I remember, as areporter for the French newsagency APF, sitting in a stadiumin Tokyo for the football WorldCup 2002 final between Braziland Germany.

I simply had to churn outlively colour on crowd reactionin between dancing around thestalls myself.

There are lots of difficulttimes too. Covering the 7 Julyattacks in London was a hugechallenge. I had reported onbombings numerous times inIraq, but the carnage feltdifferent when it happened so close to home.

Getting a good job injournalism is tough. I wasrejected multiple times. Icovered innocuous beats andendured the least popularposition in the newsroom,which for me was the dreadednightshift.

But it is definitely a careerworth persevering with.

nes: Whyurnalist

Above, in Baghdad with the UScommander General Petraeus

for in a new recruitnew journalists, with many differentways of reaching an audience, but itcan be a daunting prospect.

How and where do you acquirethese skills? Some journalists havesimply learned as they go along,but many have had formal training.In my experience, most regionalnewspaper editors will favourtrainees with pre-entryqualifications from the NationalCouncil for the Training ofJournalists.

The main route into thenewspaper industry is aftercompleting a pre-entry course at a college, university or privateprovider. Generally, trainee

journalists are graduates, althougha few newspapers still recruit after A-levels. To find out more aboutNCTJ training visit www.nctj.com

And finally – have fun.Journalism requires dedication,hard work and long days. But it’s allworth it for that front-page story,that breaking an exclusive onlineand the camaraderie of your fellowhacks. Good luck!

LIZ PAGEis vice chair of the NCTJ and northernregional managing director of ArchantLife magazines. She began her careeras a trainee journalist at the EveningGazette, Middlesbrough

IN PERSON

CVWork experience: Aldershot News,Wales News Service, Ghair Rydd(Cardiff student newspaper), FTDegree: Law and Japanese at CardiffUniversity, then a NCTJ course bycorrespondence while working for Agence-France Presse 1999: Intern at APTN, London1999-2000: Producer for TV Tokyo,London bureau2000-2001: Reporter onintellectual property magazine for IP Asia, based in Hong Kong andcovering the Asia Pacific region2001-2003: conomics editor forAFP, Tokyo2003-2004: correspondent for AFP,Geneva and Baghdad2005-2006, correspondent for AFP, London2006-2007, correspondent forReuters, London2007-present, The Times, Baghdad

DEBORAH HAYNESis Iraq correspondentfor The Times


UNDERGRADUATE

NORTHBROOK COLLEGE SUSSEX01903 606111www.northbrook.ac.ukFoundation Degree in DigitalJournalism offering theopportunity to study journalismwithin the world of onlinereporting and broadcasting. The course allows the student toexplore elements of traditionaljournalistic practice combinedwith the new digital world of IPTVand interactive e-magazines.Validated by the University of Brighton.

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDONLondon College of CommunicationPhone: 020 7514 6569 (general enquiries)www.lcc.arts.ac.uk

BIRKBECK UNIVERSITY OF LONDON0207 6316000www.bbk.ac.uk

EXETER COLLEGEHele Road, Exeter EX4 4JS0845 111 [email protected]

Bournemouth Universitywww.bournemouth.ac.ukBJTC, NCTJ, PTC approved

Brunel Universitywww.brunel.ac.uk NCTJ approved

City of Wolverhampton Collegewww.wolverhamptoncollege.ac.ukNCTJ approved

Edge Hill Universitywww.edgehill.ac.uk NCTJ approved

Glasgow Caledonian University www.gcal.ac.ukBJTC* NCTJ approved

Grimsby Institutewww.grimsby.ac.uk BJTC approved*

Harlow Collegewww.harlow-college.ac.uk PTC approved

Kingston Universitywww.kingston.ac.uk

Leeds Trinity and All Saintswww.leedstrinity.ac.uk

Lincoln College Universitywww.lincoln.ac.ukBJTC PTC approved

Liverpool John Moores Universitywww.ljmu.ac.ukNCTJ approved

Middlesex Universitywww.mdx.ac.ukBJTC approved*

Midland News Associationwww.expressandstar.co.uk (three-year training scheme) NCTJ approved

Napier Universitywww.napier.ac.ukBJTC approved*

Nottingham Trent Universitywww.ntu.ac.uk BJTC NCTJ approved

Southampton Solent Universitywww.solent.ac.ukBJTC PTC approved

South East Essex Collegewww.southend.ac.uk

Staffordshire Universitywww.staffs.ac.ukBJTC NCTJ approved

University of the Arts Londonwww.arts.ac.uk

University for the Creative Artwww.ucreative.ac.ukBJTC approved

University of Bedfordshirewww.beds.ac.uk

University of Brightonwww.brighton.ac.uk NCTJ approved

University of Chesterwww.chester.ac.uk

University of Cumbriawww.cumbria.ac.ukBJTC NCTJ approved

University College Falmouthwww.falmouth.ac.uk PTC approved

University of Central Lancashirewww.ukjournalism.orgBJTC NCTJ PTC approved

University of Glamorganwww.glam.ac.uk BJTC approved

University of Gloucestshirewww.glos.ac.uk BJTC approved

University of Kentwww.kent.ac.uk NCTJ approved

University of Leedswww.leeds.ac.ukBJTC approved

University of Lincolnwww.lincoln.ac.ukBJTC approved

University of Northamptonwww.northampton.ac.uk

University of Portsmouthwww.port.ac.uk NCTJ approved

University of Salfordwww.salford.ac.uk NCTJ approved

University of Sheffieldwww.sheffield.ac.ukBJTC NCTJ approved

University of Sunderlandwww.sunderland.ac.ukBJTC* NCTJ approved

University of Stirlingwww.stir.ac.uk

University of Teessidewww.tees.ac.uk NCTJ approved

University of Winchesterwww.winchester.ac.ukBJTC approved*

POSTGRADUATE


American University In Londonwww.aul.edu


08 — TRAINING COURSES

KEY:BJTC: BROADCASTJOURNALISM TRAINING COUNCILwww.bjtc.org.uk; BJTC* accreditation pendingNCTJ: NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE TRAINING OF JOURNALISTSwww.nctj.comPTC: PERIODICALS TRAINING COUNCILwww. ppa.co.uk

IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH to impress me. I’ll be looking for a firmhandshake, a dress style that wouldn’t embarrass the Queen orunnerve the proletariat, and a casual opening gambit that hints at aparticularly nuanced understanding of this morning’s Telegraphleader.

As you take your seat, I’ll be analysing your body languagecarefully to check that you’re also analysing mine. We’ll both belooking for tell-tale signs of boredom, diffidence or lack of candour.

I already know you have the basic skills – the fact that you’re here

at all means that your application was carefully worded,grammatically immaculate and compellingly enthusiastic – so ourdiscussion will range from yesterday’s Sun splash to this week’sNew Yorker via File On Four and series 5 of The Wire.

It’ll become clear to me that you have read widely. Waugh. Pilger.Littlejohn. Maybe a little light Herodotus.

Such is your grasp of new media technology, you’ll mentionTwitter, geotagging, and at least one platform or network that I’venever heard of. You’ll know Channel 4 News’s current style for jump

Ian Reeves: What I look for in an applicant

supp 08-12 Listings ph11mb jt•.QXP:Layout 1 16/12/08 17:18 Page 8



Bangor Universitywww.bangor.ac.uk

Birmingham City Universitywww.bcu.ac.uk BJTC approved

Bournemouth Universitywww.bournemouth.ac.uk BJTC approved

Brunel Universitywww.brunel.ac.uk NCTJ approved

City Universitywww.ciy.ac.ukPTC BJTC approved

Cardiff Universitywww.cardiff.ac.ukBJTC PTC NCTJ approved

Coventry Universitywww.coventry.ac.uk

De Montfort Universitywww.dmu.ac.uk NCTJ approved

Edge Hill Universitywww.edgehill.ac.uk

Glasgow Caledonian Universitywww.gcal.ac.uk

Goldsmiths University of Londonwww.gold.ac.ukBJTC PTC approved

Harlow College www.harlow-college.ac.ukNCTJ PTC approved

Highbury Collegewww.highbury.ac.ukBJTC NCTJ PTC approved

Kingston Universitywww.kingston.ac.ukNCTJ PTC approved

Lambeth Collegewww.lambethcollege.ac.uk

Leeds Trinity & All Saintswww.leedstrinity.ac.ukNCTJ BJTC approved

Liverpool Community Collegewww.liv-coll.ac.uk NCTJ approved

Liverpool John Moores Universitywww.livjm.ac.uk

London College Of Communicationwww.lcc.arts.ac.uk BJTC approved

Napier Universitywww.napier.ac.ukBJTC approved*

Newcastle Universitywww.ncl.ac.uk BJTC approved*

Nottingham Trent Universitywww.ntu.ac.uk NCTJ approved

Nottingham Trent International Collegewww.ntic.org.ukBJTC approved

PMA Media Trainingwww.pma-group.co.uk PTC approved

Staffordshire Universitywww.staffs.ac.uk BJTC NCTJ approved

The Robert Gordon Universitywww.rgu.ac.uk NCTJ approved

Sheffield Hallam Universitywww.shu.ac.uk


The National Union ofJournalists’ guide to chosingthe right course: page 18

cuts, and how Photoshop’s clone tool works.You’ll promise to email me the link to your datamash-up experiment.

And as our interview draws to a close, I’llwonder if your desire to be a journalist has reallycome across. Because if I can genuinely sense thehunger burning, then I’ll forgive you if all the restis missing. After all, that’s what we’re here toteach you.

▲

IAN REEVESis director oflearning andteaching at theUniversity of Kent’sCentre forJournalismwww.centreforjournalism.co.uk

The LincolnSchool ofJournalism

Telephone 01522 886644 Email [email protected]

Undergraduate Courses

� FdA Community Journalism*

� BA Hons Journalism (BJTC accredited)

� BA Hons Advertising & Journalism

� BA Hons American Studies& Journalism

� BA Hons Criminology & Journalism

� BA Hons English & Journalism

� BA Hons Film and Television &Journalism

� BA Hons History & Journalism

� BA Hons Investigative Journalism& Research*

Study at the Lincoln School of Journalism and you will enjoy generousfacilities for every journalism activity, with seven newsrooms, plus asubstantial and very well equipped three camera studio, and a full scaleFM radio station.You’ll be taught by teaching staff with high quality industry experience aswell as practising professionals.

Postgraduate Courses

� MA Journalism�

� MA Sports Journalism

� MA Science& Environmental Journalism

� MA Journalism, War andInternational Human Rights*

� MA Community Radio*

� MA Arts Journalism*

* subject to validation� currently undergoing BJTC accreditation


University of Central Lancashirewww.uclan.ac.ukBJTC NCTJ approved

University College Falmouthwww.falmouth.ac.ukBJTC approved

University for the Creative Artswww.ucreative.ac.uk

University of Glamorganwww.glam.ac.uk

University of Lincolnwww.lincoln.ac.uk

University of Leedswww.leeds.ac.uk

University of Salfordwww.salford.ac.uk NCTJ approved

University of Sheffieldwww.sheffield.ac.uk NCTJ, PTC, BJTC approved

University of Strathclydewww.strath.ac.uk NCTJ approved

University of Sunderlandwww.sunderland.ac.uk NCTJ approved

University of Teeside www.tees.ac.uk NCTJ approved

University of Westminsterwww.wmin.ac.uk BJTC approved

University of The West of Scotlandwww.paisley.ac.uk BJTC approved

University Of Ulster –Coleraine Campuswww.ulster.ac.ukBJTC NCTJ approved

SPORTS / UNDERGRADUATECardonald Collegewww.cardonald.ac.ukNCTJ approved

Leeds Trinity & All Saintswww.leedstrinity.ac.uk

Staffordshire Universitywww.staffs.ac.uk

University of Central Lancashirewww.ukjournalism.org


University of Brightonwww.brighton.ac.uk NCTJ approved


SPORTS / POSTGRADUATELondon College Of Communicationwww.lcc.arts.ac.uk


Staffordshire Universitywww.staffs.ac.uk BJTC approved

MAGAZINE / BA

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDONLondon College of CommunicationPhone: 020 7514 6569 (generalenquiries)www.lcc.arts.ac.uk

Southampton Solent Universitywww.solent.ac.uk PTC approved


University of Sunderlandwww.sunderland.ac.ukNCTJ approved

MAGAZINE / POSTGRADUATECardiff Universitywww.cardiff.ac.uk

City Universitywww.city.ac.uk PTC approved

Harlow College www.harlow-college.ac.ukNCTJ PTC approved

Highbury Collegewww.highbury.ac.uk PTC approved

PMA Media Trainingwww.pma-group.co.uk PTC approved

Kingston University Londonwww.kingston.ac.uk

University of Central Lancashirewww.uclan.ac.ukNCTJ PTC approved

University of Sheffieldwww.sheffield.ac.uk

University of Strathclydewww.strath.ac.uk

Univeristy of Sunderlandwww.sunderland.ac.ukNCTJ approved

NEWSPAPER / BAUniversity of Gloucestershirewww.glos.ac.uk

Univeristy of Sunderlandwww.sunderland.ac.ukNCTJ approved

NEWS / POSTGRADUATECardiff Universitywww.cardiff.ac.uk NCTJ approved

City Universitywww.city.ac.uk

De Montfort Universitywww.dmu.ac.uk NCTJ approved


Harlow Collegewww.harlow-college.ac.ukNCTJ approved



TRAINING IN SHORTHAND isrequired on all NCTJ-accreditedcourses and is often offered onnon-newspaper focused trainingas an optional extra. Should youlook for a course that offers it?

Today it is possible to get bywithout shorthand using adictaphone, and there arenumerous gadgets available thatcan record phone interviews.

If you work on a busy newsdesk it isn’t always practical tobe transcribing – or repeatinginterviews if the dictaphone orits batteries fail.

Shorthand is very useful if youwant to work in news. Forfeature writing or work for a

website it is a skill you may useless frequently.

William Stewart, a TimesEducation Supplement reporter,says he would be “lost withoutit. Having shorthand means youcan make a quick reference toyour notes instead of listeningthrough hours of recordings”.

Nat Davies, who is on the IPCMedia Graduate scheme, saysshe rarely uses it: “I learnedshorthand, but working on theweb means I rarely use it. It’soccasionally useful when takingdown dialogue from videointerviews and TV clips for newsstories, but I could cope finewithout it.” Méabh Ritchie

Should you learn shorthand? The arguments for and against


Leeds Trinity & All Saintswww.leedstrinity.ac.ukNCTJ approved

Nottingham Trent Universitywww.ntu.ac.uk NCTJ approved


The Sheffield College, Norton Centrewww.sheffcol.ac.uk NCTJ approved

University of Central Lancashirewww.uclan.ac.uk NCTJ approved

University of Sheffieldwww.sheffield.ac.ukNCTJ approved


University of Ulster –Coleraine Campuswww.ulster.ac.uk BJTC NCTJ approved

MULTIMEDIA /UNDERGRADUATEBournemouth Universitywww.bournemouth.ac.ukBJTC NCTJ PTC approved

Press Association Training Centre(Foundation)www.pa-training.co.ukNCTJ approved

Northbrook College Sussexwww.northbrook.ac.uk

University of Huddersfieldwww.hud.ac.uk

University of Teessidewww.tees.ac.uk NCTJ approved

MULTIMEDIA / POSTGRADUATEBournemouth Universitywww.bournemouth.ac.ukBJTC approved

Glasgow Caledonian Universitywww.gcal.ac.uk NCTJ approved

Newcastle Universitywww.newcastle.ac.ukBJTC approved

Nottingham Trent Universitywww.ntu.ac.uk

University of Central Lancashirewww.uclan.ac.ukBJTC approved

University of Sheffieldwww.sheffield.ac.ukBJTC approved

RADIOCity University (Foundation)www.city.ac.uk BJTC approved

Goldsmiths, University of Londonwww.gold.ac.uk BJTC approved


Siobhan Kennedy

▲

“I DID BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES atExeter and then some workexperience at the BBC naturalhistory Unit. I wanted to get intomaking wildlife programmes butwas advised by the BBC to get ajob in journalism first.

“I landed a job at a B2Bmagazine and was there forabout two years. It gave me asolid journalistic grounding, andin all my work at Reuters, TheTimes and now at ITN, I’m stillusing those skills.

“I was sent on a press trip to the USA just at the time when the internet boom wasbeginning and I fell for NewYork, so I parked my wildlife/

science ambitions and stayed.“Covering the internet boom

got me a really good profile, and in my six-seven years in New York, I ended up workingfor the New York Reutersnewswire. It was a fantasticexperience. I was there for 9/11and other big stories.

“There’s no glamour in it – youcan stand in the freezing cold forhours to get a 20-second shot.You have to have a passion fordigging, an inquisitive mind andlots of energy. The more you putinto it, the more you get out.”

IN PERSON

Siobhan Kennedy is the businesscorrespondent, Channel 4 News

Leeds Trinity & All Saintswww.leedstrinity.ac.ukBJTC approved

Nottingham Trent Universitywww.ntu.ac.uk BJTC approved

BROADCAST / BAEXETER COLLEGEHele Road, Exeter EX4 4JS0845 111 [email protected]


Middlesex Universitywww.mdx.ac.uk BJTC approved*

Staffordshire Universitywww.staffs.ac.uk/journalismBJTC approved

University of Glamorganwww.glam.ac.ukBJTC approved*

University of Gloucestershirewww.glos.ac.uk BJTC approved

University of Leedswww.leeds.ac.ukBJTC approved

University of Sunderlandwww.sunderland.ac.ukBJTC approved*

BROADCAST / POSTGRADUATE


Birmingham City Universitywww.bcu.ac.ukBJTC approved

Cardiff Universitywww.cardiff.ac.uk

City University


Glasgow Caledonian Universitywww.gcal.ac.uk

Goldsmiths, University of Londonwww.gold.ac.ukBJTC approved

Highbury Collegewww.highbury.ac.ukBJTC approved

London College Of Communicationwww.lcc.arts.ac.uk BJTC approved

Leeds Trinity & All Saintswww.leedstrinity.ac.ukBJTC approved



Staffordshire Universitywww.staffs.ac.uk BJTC approved

University of Sheffieldwww.sheffield.ac.ukBJTC approved


University of Central Lancashirewww.uclan.ac.ukBJTC approved

University College Falmouthwww.falmouth.ac.uk BJTC approved

University of the West of Scotlandwww.paisley.ac.uk BJTC approved

University of Westminsterwww.wmin.ac.uk BJTC approved

PHOTO JOURNALISM

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDONLondon College of CommunicationPhone: 020 7514 6569 (generalenquiries)www.lcc.arts.ac.ukwww.city.ac.uk



PHOTOGRAPHYThe Sheffield College, Norton Centrewww.sheffcol.ac.uk NCTJ approved

PUBLISHINGTHE PUBLISHING TRAINING CENTRE0208 874 2718www.train4publishing.co.uk

GROUP/VOCATIONAL

PRESS ASSOCIATION TRAINING0870 8376471www.pa-training.co.ukwww.becomeareporter.co.ukChoosing the right course as atrainee reporter is crucial. The UK’sleading national and regionalnewspaper publishers choose ours.It’s embedded in the offices of theNewcastle Chronicle, JournalSunday Sun and has an employmentrecord second to none. Find out whyat www.becomeareporter.co.uk

SUB-EDITINGTHE PUBLISHING TRAINING CENTRE0208 874 2718www.train4publishing.co.uk

Brighton Journalist Workswww.journalistworks.co.uk NCTJ approved

Cardonald Collegewww.cardonald.co.uk NCTJ approved

FOUNDATIONCity Universitywww.city.ac.uk BJTC approved*

Cornwall College Cambornewww.cornwall.ac.ukNCTJ approved

Grimsby Institutewww.grimsby.ac.ukBJTC approved*

Lambeth Collegewww.lambethcollege.ac.ukNCTJ approved

London Metropolitan Universitywww.londonmet.ac.uk

Press Association Training Centrewww.pa-training.co.ukNCTJ approved


University of Wolverhamptonwww.wlv.ac.ukBJTC approved*

FAST-TRACKUP TO SPEED JOURNALISM TRAININGwww.uptospeedjournalism.comNCTJ approved

City College Brighton & Hovewww.ccb.ac.uk NCTJ approved

Cornwall College Cambornewww.cornwall.ac.uk NCTJ approved

Darlington College of Technologywww.darlington.ac.ukNCTJ approved

Harlow College www.harlow-college.ac.ukNCTJ approved

Highbury Collegewww.highbury.ac.uk NCTJ approved

Lambeth Collegewww.lambethcollege.ac.ukNCTJ approved

Liverpool Community Collegewww.liv-coll.ac.uk NCTJ approved

News Associates/Sportsbeat (London/ Manchester)www.welovejournalism.co.uk NCTJ approved

Nosweat Journalistm Trainingwww.nosweatjt.co.uk

NCTJ approvedPMA Media Trainingwww.pma-group.co.uk

The Sheffield College, Norton Centrewww.sheffcol.ac.uk

Sutton Coldfield Collegewww.sutcol.ac.uk NCTJ approved

ACADEMIC YEARCity of Wolverhampton Collegewww.wolverhamptoncollege.ac.ukNCTJ approved

Harlow Collegewww.harlow-college.ac.ukNCTJ approved

Liverpool Community Collegewww.liv-coll.ac.uk

National Broadcasting Schoolwww.nationalbroadcastingschool.comBJTC approved

Sutton Coldfield Collegewww.sutcol.ac.uk NCTJ approved

The Sheffield College, Norton Centrewww.sheffcol.ac.uk

NCTJ approvedWarwickshire College

www.warkscol.ac.ukNCTJ approved

HNDCardonald Collegewww.cardonald.co.ukNCTJ approved


BLOCK RELEASEDarlington College of Technologywww.darlington.ac.ukNCTJ approved

Highbury Collegewww.highbury.ac.ukNCTJ approved

The Sheffield College,Norton Centrewww.sheffcol.ac.uk

DAY RELEASECardonald Collegewww.cardonald.co.ukNCTJ approved

City of Wolverhampton Collegewww.wolverhamptoncollege.ac.ukNCTJ approved

Liverpool Community Collegewww.liv-coll.ac.ukNCTJ approved ■



EMPLOYER GRADUATE SCHEMESOne of the best ways to get started on the careerladder is through a graduate training scheme.Competition is fierce, particularly this year when manyof the schemes have reduced their intake, and acouple of the application forms are a challenge inthemselves to complete.

But a place on a graduate scheme will give a furtherboost to the skills learned on your course and willmost likely lead to a job at the same company whenthe scheme is done.

Application deadlines can be at any time of theyear, from the BBC in October to IPC in June, so keepchecking for advertisements in Press Gazettemagazine, jobs4journalists.co.uk and the individualwebsites listed here.

Don’t think you’ll be OK by bashing out a coveringletter an hour before the deadline. Most requirecuttings from your portfolio and answers to a seriousnumber of probing questions, so give yourself enoughtime to present yourself well.

Nor is it a case of sending the same cover letter to

a list of email addresses, so leave yourself plenty oftime to prepare your application.NewspapersFinancial Times: www.ft.com/hr/graduatesGuardian: www.gnmcareers.co.ukTimes:ww.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/student/how_to_get_a_job/article1115620.eceTrinity Mirror Group: www.trinitymirror.com/careers/editorialAssociated Newspapers (Daily Mail):www.dmgtopportunities.com/associatednewspapers/Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk/graduate scheme.xmlBroadcastReuters: www.careers.thomsonreuters.comBBC: www.bbc.co.uk/jobs/jtsITV: www.itvjobs.comMagazinesIPC Media: www.ipcmedia.com/jobsCMP: www.cmpi.biz/peopleandcareersInformation about other publishers’ schemes wasunavailable at the time of going to print. ■The National Union of Journalists’ 10 Questionsto ask about a training course: see page 18




Choosing a course Look for one that balancesvocational learning withacademic stretch.

The programme should allowplenty of time for you todevelop core journalism skillsand should ideally includeshorthand.

Make sure the course tutorshave recent experience ofworking in magazines and havegood industry contacts – if theyhaven’t, they’ll struggle to getgreat guest speakers and youmay find it difficult to get goodwork experience.

Check whether the course has PTC accreditation. For PTCaccredited course info seewww.ppa.co.uk/cgi-bin/wms.

pl/1130 (and check the listingsonpages8-12 inthissupplement).

Finally, look at where pastgraduates have ended up.

The more grads who go on towork in magazines, the betterthe course is at equipping themwith the skills they need to getthat all-important first job.

Work experienceWork experience is absolutelyessential and you should startapplying for positions as soonas you start your course.

Do your research and don’tjust pick the more obviousglossy consumer magazines asthey are often inundated withapplications.

Think laterally and apply tomagazines to which you’ll be

able to make a meaningfulcontribution.

PPA represents 80 per cent ofthe UK magazine market and allmember contact details arelisted on PPA’s website atwww.ppa.co.uk.

Training in the industryDo invest in your own skillsmaking sure they are up to date.PPA Training has a closerelationship with PPA membersand so is able to spot trends andmove quickly to deliver relevanttraining.

For short, fast-paced andprogressive courses visitwww.ppa.co.uk/cgi-bin/wms.

pl/413

BEFORE I GOT INTO JOURNALISM,I had qualified as a lawyer andwas working at a film company.I was getting quite bored by thework as it wasn’t very creative. I was stuck in a back roomoffice and could see the mediatypes getting on with their workand it looked fun.

I won a writing competition inthe Daily Telegraph and spoketo some journalists there aboutpursuing journalism as a career.They put me in touch with JaneFryer, who works for the DailyMail and had been a lawyerbefore that.

She gave me loads of adviceand recommended doing theCity magazine course. I did a bitof research and looked into theCardiff course as well, but Citywas only down the road and hada great reputation.

The course was really good,especially for someone like mewho didn’t know very muchabout the industry.

It was very hands-on: we were

sent out into Upper Street inIslington to get stories and sentoff to real press conferences,and there were some greatlecturers.

The thing I would say mostcourses are lacking is new-media stuff but, having said that,I’m working for Screenmagazine now and they’replanning to train their staff up,so it’s not too much of an issue.

I’d love to eventually write for one of the broadsheetmagazines, The Observer or TheSunday Times. I really like doinginterviews and meeting people,and then putting it all together.

AUDREY WARD was named thePeriodicals Training Council’s most promising student at the2008 New Journalist Awards, for new or young journalists in the UK magazine industry

LORAINE DAVIES, DIRECTOR OF THE PERIODICALSTRAINING COUNCIL, OFFERS HER ADVICE

IN PERSON

Audrey Ward: My journeyinto magazine journalism

Chris Wheal:Journalism is nota 9am-5pm job

IN PERSON

JOURNALISM HAS NEVER beena nine-to-five job and isincreasingly less so. Apart fromthe early shifts for evening papers and the late shifts formorning papers, the internet andother new media mean news is a 24-hour job.

I now write web news between6am and 8am every weekday.This involves sourcing stories,waking up out-of-hours pressofficers and watching the wiresand announcements from thestock market.

I try to break news as well asflag up what has been reportedelsewhere when I can’t trackdown the original sources. And Iwrite comment and analysis. Theaim is to inform those readerswho get into the office early andwant a quick way of finding out

what is happening in their market.Journalists of the future will

have to embrace different hoursto their parents and find a way offitting them in with their changinglifestyles. Mornings suit mebecause I can then take a breakand go on school trips with mydaughter, for example.

The problems arise whentrying to organise a drink with aformer colleague who does thelate-night shift on the FT.

Everyone will need to workdifferent hours at different timesin their life. In the future, thejournalist who works nine-to-fivewill be the odd one out.

CHRIS WHEAL is a freelancejournalist and chairs the NationalUnion of Journalists’ ProfessionalTraining Committee (ProfCom)

So you want to work in magazines?

supp 13 ph5 JT•.QXP:Layout 1 16/12/08 14:39 Page 1

Journalism training is expensive –whether it is tuition fees, livingexpenses, books and othermaterials, equipment orexaminations.

In England and Wales this meansyou (or your parents) coming upwith the funding – through studentloans, savings, working part-time.

Geography counts – Londonmeans premium-rate tuition fees(up to £8,000 for a one-yearpostgraduate course) and higherliving expenses.

While it is true that much of theUK media industry is London based,it doesn’t always follow thatwork/employment opportunitiesare better in the capital.

Elsewhere training is muchcheaper – parts of the North andthe South West are classed as EUObjective Status 1 areas and enjoyheavily subsidised rates – andlower living expenses.

If you’re Scottish and taking anundergraduate degree in journalismat a Scottish university, your fees

will be paid by the Scottish AwardsAgency for Scotland.

Scottish universities can alsoapply to the SAAS for funding forsome postgraduate courses, andjournalism courses have benefitedfrom this arrangement. Full detailscan be seen at www.saas.gov.uk.

In addition to the demand fromentry-level students, recentbroadcasting redundancies haveled to a rush of experienced staffseeking updated skills.

They can benefit from coursessubsidised by the Skillset TVFreelance Fund (www.skillset.org/tv/funding/individuals/article_2595_1.asp) or a Screen Bursary to offsettraining costs (www.skillset.org/film/funding/bursaries).

It’s not just about college anduniversity. While today it is prettymuch a graduate industry, otherways in do still exist.

Some newspapers recruit

trainees directly – from their localareas – and then pay for theirtraining at an established NCTJtraining centre as part of theircontract.

Commercial providers set theirown fee scales. These can beprivate companies, thoughestablished media organisationssuch as the BBC, Press Associationand the NUJ also offer training on a commercial basis.

DIVERSITYThe UK consists of a highly

complex population, made up ofmany different social, ethnic,cultural, religious, political, racialgroups, with different disabilities,genders, ages, sexual orientationsand beliefs.

UK newsrooms are a good dealless diverse, but are working hardto catch up.

Bursaries and scholarships,

largely aimed at postgraduatecourses, have almost dried up orbeen replaced by focused fundingand traineeships, aimed at creatingmuch more representativenewsrooms and targettingapplicants from ethnic anddisadvantaged backgrounds.

The NCTJ Journalism DiversityFund (www.journalismdiversityfund) using industry donations andthe NUJ George Viner MemorialFund (www.georgeviner.org.uk)both support students onestablished training courses.

The BBC Journalism TrainingScheme and the ITV News TraineeScheme, both delivered in-house,are aimed at students who wouldnot otherwise have the opportunityto train as journalists.

Some bursaries remain – SkyNews, Bloomberg, one or two BBCRegions, C4, Guardian MediaGroup, still offer a small number toselected courses. Make sure youask what’s available when you applyto your chosen course.


14— JOURNALISM TRAINING 2009

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2009 —15


I WAS PUT IN TOUCH with thecharity Fairbridge, whichsupports young people not ineducation or training.

I’ve always had a real interestin what is going on in the world,and although I did notnecessarily realise it at the time,this is one of the key requisitetraits of a successful journalist.

After I made a speech at theLondon Imax, the Media Trustaccepted me on a youthmentoring programme, and Ifound out that the NCTJ has adiversity fund [see page 14].

I passed the pre-entry examfor Harlow College JournalismCentre, in Essex, was awarded abursary, and started a one-yearcourse there in September.

Harlow is the UK’s oldestjournalism institute and hastrained the likes of Piers Morgan,Richard Madeley, KelvinMacKenzie, Martin Bell and evenmy mentor, Philip Webster. Ihave learnt so much about life asa journalist, and the experiencesI have gained have beenincredible: I have been to the G8Summit, interviewed all threeparty leaders, including Gordon

Brown, at the partyconferences, hadfeatures published inThe Times and Guardiannewspapers, been on the couchwith Richard and Judy, andstarred in my own Skydocumentary: McConvilleReports.

To any young personinterested in applying for mediabased courses, my advice wouldbe to go for it. My experienceshave been life changing and I have met some trulyinspirational characters on my journey.

Two years ago, I would havelaughed if you had said I wouldbe studying journalism. But Ihope that my own story provesthat with determination, awillingness to work hard, and apositive outlook, anything canbe achieved.

Lee McConville met film actor KevinSpacey at a Fairbridge charity event

“I passed the pre-entry and was awarded a bursary... I’d have laughed if two yearsago you’d said I’d be studying journalism”

IN PERSONA TURBULENT EARLY LIFE IN A CRIME-RIDDEN PARTOF BIRMINGHAM HADBROUGHT LEE McCONVILLETO HIS LOWEST EBB, ANDHE BELIEVED HE WASEITHER GOING TO FINISHUP IN PRISON OR DEAD...

On the write road now...

Make sure you’re in the media spotlight

For more information visit: www.bournemouth.ac.uk/media

The Media School at Bournemouth University is the largest centre for professionally-based Higher Education for the media industries in the UK.

We prepare our graduates to excel in the competitive international marketplace by providing excellent opportunities:

BA (Hons) Multi-Media Journalism*

BA (Hons) Communications and Media

MA Multi-Media Journalism*

MA Writing for the Media

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*Accredited by PTC, NCTJ and BJTC


THE MAIN PROBLEM with learningjournalism is that thousands ofstudents are doing it too.

You want to be a brilliant andsuccessful journalist. But ittakes more than just wanting. Ittakes dedication on your course,good experience, life skills andthe ability to pull all threetogether at the same time. Oftenon the same day.

The key to journalismeducation is balance. You needto balance everything perfectly.Your coursework must be dealtwith hand-in-hand with yourextra-curricular journalism – ofwhich there should be plenty.

Pile on top a need for a sociallife and you’ll soon discover thisdoesn’t leave too many hoursfree in the day. Don’t panic – itcan all be done. Often some of itat 2am, but done nevertheless.

Different techniques work fordifferent people. Some of us aregreat at organising ourselves.Others – and I think most may belike this – need a little help.

Don’t be ashamed to compilelist after list of things to do.Arrange them however youplease – one idea I like is to putthe most enjoyable aspects atthe bottom, ensuring the mostarduous get done first.

OPPORTUNITYEarly on, it’s important to

establish what’s important toyou: which pieces of work youshould spend most of your time on.

Sometimes this will be simple,but there will be other timeswhen coursework has to comesecond if a career-advancingopportunity arises. If you havegood tutors, they should supportyour decision. You are there,after all, to get a job.

Spend any free time you havebuilding and maintaining

working relationships. Apply forplacements and pitch freelancearticles to editors. All these willhelp you get work when youleave, and who you know couldreally set you apart from thethousands of others searchingfor that first in. The old adage of“getting a foot in the door” isnow more true than ever.

Get involved with journalismopportunities on your doorstep.Write for the student newspaper.If there isn’t one, start one – it’llmake you look great.

Find out what local media youcan capitalise on. If you’re intosport, there’s always an extrajob that needs doing on aSaturday – you just need toconvince them that you’re theperson to do it.

There’s no better way to getyour work seen immediatelythan by starting a blog. Pick asubject, get signed up (for free,Wordpress.com or Blogger.comare good places to start) and getwriting. With just a little effort,you have a potential audience of millions.

If your portfolio is lackingpublished articles, your blog canbe used to impress editors. Itshows your ability to tackle asubject and nurture a specialism.

If you’re studying at auniversity, it’s a good idea toidentify a lecturer whom youtrust and respect – as ajournalist or a person, butpreferably both – who you canlook to as a mentor.

When tutors have manystudents to look after, finding



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one you know will reply toemails and give you sound andhonest advice is a must if youare to do well. A good way toestablish these relationships isto volunteer for whatever youcan – faculty open days are agood place to start.

Now is the perfect time tomake mistakes. Don’t beatyourself up over them but enjoythem – they make greatanecdotes for your friends whoare on boring courses.

You will make plenty ofmistakes too, each just asfoolish as the next. This is whyjournalism needs to be taught –because mistakes happen. If we could all do it perfectlystraight away, then we’d all justjoin a newspaper and getstarted. So come to terems withthe fact that you will makemistakes, and resolve to learnfrom them.

FLAT BATTERIESLearn the horrible lesson of

carrying spare batterieseverywhere while you’re stilllearning, not on the job. Yourtutor should be supportive andunderstanding the first timeyour batteries go flat on you andyou have no back-up. Editorshave no such understanding.They only understand that theirpages /airtime need to be filled.

Don’t be afraid of venturinginto areas that you aren’t beingtaught. Journalism is constantlyevolving. Your tutors couldn’tpossibly keep up – but you can.

Read about new technology.Try it out; get used to it. Soonyou’ll be an expert, entering theworkforce with a wealth ofknowledge so deep you’ll be the most useful member of the team.

The most important thing,though, is to push yourself while

you’re on your course. Sure, ifyou’re really sneaky you canmake up quotes or sources –tutors rarely have time to check– but who are you helping?

You could get by doing storiesabout your mates if you want –you probably know someone ina band who is this close togetting a record deal.

We all do it, but you’ll get anawful shock when you get yourfirst job and you haven’t learntto interview properly. You’ll bewishing you hadn’t gone for theeasy option.

Instead, arrange interviewswith people you’ve never met;people that you’ll be scared stiffof interviewing. Keep thinkingthat if you get a good interviewout of them, you’re sure to get atop grade. It’s better to get overyour nerves about interviewingearly on. Otherwise, thepressure of impressing a neweditor, getting a story andmeeting a deadline could beenough to push you over theedge, and probably push you offthe payroll too.

And last, but not least,remember to have fun. A happyjournalist is a motivatedjournalist. And a motivated oneis a good one.

It’s enthusiasm and ambitionthat push you to spending hourschasing people on the phone forthat killer quote. Or spendinghours in the rain for that killerpicture. You never know, itmight just lead to a killer job.

DAVE LEEgraduated fromthe University of Lincoln and is now the co-editor of the BBC internet blog

IN PERSON

ake the mosttime learning

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media law, shorthand, portfolio, business of

magazines and sub-editing.

*Former students now working for the

Guardian; Daily Mirror; the Independent ;

the Independent on Sunday; The Sunday Times;

Reuters; Dow Jones and a host of top flight

provincial and national newspapers and magazine

noSWeat journalism training

020 7490 20616 CLERKENWELL CLOSE

LONDON ECIR 0AN

Apply online: www.nosweatjt.co.uk

GRADUATE INTERNSHIPS ON A NATIONAL NEWSPAPER


CHOOSING A COURSE may seemdaunting when there are somany to choose from. Thelistings on pages 8-12 aremarked according to whetherthey have received accreditationfrom the National Council forthe Training of Journalists,Broadcast Journalism TrainingCouncil or the PeriodicalsTraining Council. A few of themhave received accreditationfrom all three.

While the accreditationsystem is an obvious marker tolook for, it is worth noting thatthere are a number of highlyregarded university courses thathave chosen not to seekaccreditation. If a course you

are interested in is notaccredited, it would be worthfinding out why.

CAREER ADVICETo help you navigate your

way through the process ofselecting a course we havereproduced Ten Questions ToAsk about Journalism Courses,published by the National Unionof Journalists on its website.

The NUJ’s training websiteoffers careers advice andinformation about jobs in thedifferent sectors, as well asadvice on training and trainingcourses and information aboutits own training.www.nujtraining.org.uk



The NUJ says checkhere to see if courseis right one for you

10 questions to ask about training courses:

1. How much does the course cost and are any

bursaries or grants available?

2. When does the course begin and end, what’s the

class size and how many contact hours are there

in a typical week?

3. Is the course predominantly theoretical, historical

or practical? 4. Is the course accredited by an industry body and,

if so, which one?

5. What qualification, if any, is attached to the course?

6. How much of the course (including visiting lectures)

is taught by practising journalists or experienced former

journalists? 7. Does the course include work experience and,

if so, where and for how long?

8. Does the curriculum cover the practical skills and

context you will need for a job that interests you (for

example, subs will need to learn the basics of copy editing,

mark-up and proof correction, page make-up, use of Quark

Xpress, journalism law and ethics)?

9. What equipment is used on this course (PCs, phones,

cameras, editing suites and so on), how much is available,

how old is it, and how many students share it?

10. What proportion of recent graduates are working

as journalists and where?

BA Journalism (NCTJ Accreditation)

Broadcast Journalism MA/PGDIP

International Journalism, MA

Magazine Journalism, MA

Newspaper Journalism, PGDIP

Newspaper Journalism, MA

Online Journalism, MA

International Documentary andFactual Television Production, MA

For more information+44 (0)1895 265265

[email protected]

supp 18 ph2 jt•.QXP:Layout 1 16/12/08 17:57 Page 1

THERE’S MORE TO CORNWALL COLLEGE

CHARITY BY STATUTE

MAKE IT HAPPENOur ex-students are in constant demand, with more than 80% gaining employment in the industry. We were the top further education college for NCTJ exam results in the country last year and were praised as ‘excellent and enthusiastic’. We’ve got what it takes – now you make it happen.

Want to find out MORE ?Text MORE to 60081* for info or call 0845 22 32 567 www.cornwall.ac.uk *STANDARD OPERATOR RATES APPLY


For further information please contact:Tel: 0115 848 5803/5806Email: [email protected]: www.ntu.ac.uk/journalism

Based in the vibrant city of Nottingham, the Centre for Broadcasting &Journalism offers a portfolio of outstanding and successful journalism courses.The Centre is based in brand new state-of-the-art-facilities and students enjoy arealistic working environment in the UK’s biggest student newsroom and studio suite.

Undergraduate courses:• BA (Hons) Broadcast JournalismStudents on this course will cultivate the skills, knowledge and practical experience requiredfor the research, production, presentation and management of broadcast news.

• BA (Hons) Print JournalismOn this course, core modules will be studied alongside sport, magazine, onlineand celebrity journalism, equipping graduates with the necessary skills for a successful career.

Postgraduate courses:• MA/PG Dip Magazine Journalism (New for 2009!)• MA/PG Dip Newspaper Journalism• MA/PG Dip Radio Journalism• MA/PG Dip Television Journalism (an option developing English language skills is available for international students)

Every year our students win National Awards and go on to become successful journalists.

Centre for Broadcasting & Journalism

Journalism courses


Documents

Press Gazette Journalism Training Supplement 2009