Journalism remains a popular career for many people, and there has been a steady rise in the popularity of journalism degrees, which offer a three-year programme of training covering all aspects of working in journalism. However, they are not the only route into the profession, so are they still worthwhile considering?
What Does a Journalism Degree Cover?
Whether you want to work in news or features, be a roving reporter on broadcast news or a political correspondent, a journalism degree is relevant. Many journalism colleges which offer a journalism degree have excellent graduate employment stats and are taught by industry experts. As well as hands-on writing and production experience, journalism degrees look at media law and ethics and offer shorthand training.
Are There Other Routes In?
Both qualifications and experience are important to consider when trying to get into journalism. Many degree courses are accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists accredited, but there are also diplomas that are shorter. It is also possible to get on to a training scheme run by a news organisation and go straight from university or even school.
What Jobs Can You Do with a Degree in Journalism?
Because journalism degrees cover a wide range of skills, you can go into almost any field of journalism you like. You may choose to start out on a local paper, where you’ll be a cub reporter and get a good grounding, or you might decide you’d rather be a proofreader or editorial assistant. If you have a specific passion or area of interest such as fashion or sports, you can look for jobs on relevant publications or TV, radio and social media channels. Other journalism graduates opt for careers in advertising or public relations.
Are Journalists Still in Demand?
While there is a lot of talk about AI-generated news, there is still plenty of demand for skilled journalists who can produce unbiased quality content for many types of media. You need only look at industry websites like Hold the Front Page to see the huge number of vacancies available across the UK.
