International Journalism CAREER INSIGHT
LJMU CAREERS TEAM 0151 231 2048/3719 ❚ careers@ljmu.ac.uk
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Career Insight: International Journalism
Introduction A degree in Journalism will prepare you for careers in multi-media, publishing and the book trade, broadcasting, teaching and postgraduate study. The course will help you develop in a range of areas specifically in technical and freelancing skills. Graduates from the LJMU Journalism degree have progressed to a range of media related careers including: reporters, writers, editors, specialist correspondents, freelance journalists and television presenters. As well as working in television and news publishing, they can be found in broadcasting and news agencies, public relations departments and consultancies, web-based media and local authority press departments. Planning for your career and gaining experience throughout your course will benefit you when you graduate. Take advantage of work experience opportunities and networking events to develop your skills and help you decide what area you want to move into. Try and make links with people through your course and get involved with the wealth of creative activities in Liverpool and beyond to broaden your skillset and open up opportunities. You could also consider setting up a LinkedIn profile and follow relevant organisations through Twitter to keep up to date with opportunities and developments in the creative industries. Many employers use social media to post work experience opportunities so take advantage of using the sites to help you make links and find out more about what opportunities are out there.
Options with your degree: Jobs directly related to your degree include: Broadcast journalist http://www.prospects.ac.uk/broadcast_journalist_job_description.htm Editorial assistant http://www.prospects.ac.uk/editorial_assistant_job_description.htm Magazine journalist http://www.prospects.ac.uk/magazine_journalist_job_description.htm Newspaper journalist http://www.prospects.ac.uk/newspaper_journalist_job_description.htm Press sub-editor http://www.prospects.ac.uk/press_sub_editor_job_description.htm Publishing copy-editor/proofreader http://www.prospects.ac.uk/press_sub_editor_job_description.htm
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Career Insight: International Journalism
Jobs where your degree would be useful include: Advertising copywriter http://www.prospects.ac.uk/advertising_copywriter_job_description.htm Information officer http://www.prospects.ac.uk/information_officer_job_description.htm Market researcher http://www.prospects.ac.uk/market_researcher_job_description.htm Multimedia specialist http://www.prospects.ac.uk/multimedia_specialist_job_description.htm Public relations officer http://www.prospects.ac.uk/public_relations_officer_job_description.htm Writer http://www.prospects.ac.uk/writer_job_description.htm
You may also like to explore the following job roles; Publisher http://prospects.ac.uk/publishing_copy_editor_proofreader_job_description.htm
Broadcast Journalist http://prospects.ac.uk/broadcast_journalist_job_description.htm You can gain an insight into careers in the creative industries here: http://www.creativechoices.co.uk/industry-insight
Roles in marketing and PR: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs_advertising_marketing_pr.htm http://www.getin2marketing.com/ http://www.cipr.co.uk/
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Career Insight: International Journalism
Options with your degree: other industries You may prefer to move away from the creative industries and look at roles in other sectors. Some that you could consider include:
Roles in Human Resources Management:
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs_human_resources.htm
http://www.cipd.co.uk/
Teaching: Options include teaching at primary, secondary, further or higher education level. Routes into teaching include the more traditional PGCE/PGDE university led programme, School Direct, SCITT or Teach First. Previous experience in a school setting is essential as well as a sound knowledge of the curriculum and education policies and issues. Further information on entry requirements, training and development can be found here: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/primary_school_teacher_job_description.htm http://www.prospects.ac.uk/secondary_school_teacher_job_description.htm http://www.prospects.ac.uk/further_education_lecturer_job_description.htm http://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_lecturer_job_description.htm http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching
Different course providers and schools have different entry requirements so always check that you meet them before applying. Generally you will need at least a 2:2 or above and GCSE English and Maths at grades C or above for secondary teaching and Science grade C or above if you want to teach at primary level. Some institutions will request applicants to have at least a 2:1 degree or above.
Entry requirements for Teach First are slightly higher:
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2:1 degree or above 300 UCAS points (or equivalent, excluding General Studies)
A degree or A levels that satisfy the teaching subject requirements. More information on these can be found on the Teach First website: http://graduates.teachfirst.org.uk/recruitment/requirements/index.html.
Grade C (or equivalent) in GCSE maths and English
Flexibility to work anywhere within Teach First's seven regions
Commitment for the duration of the two-year Leadership Development Programme
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Career Insight: International Journalism
The suggestions listed here are by no means exhaustive so we would encourage you to consider other relevant options, e.g. based on previous work or voluntary experience, skills and interests. To explore job options by sector, check http://www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs.htm. You can also use career planning tools like http://www.prospects.ac.uk/myprospects_planner_login.htm and http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-report to generate initial career ideas. Ensure you check entry requirements for each area, e.g. will you need a degree in a specific subject? Is a 2:1 degree classification essential? Will you need to complete a postgraduate degree? Is any specific work experience required? We also recommend that you download a copy of our “Planning your Career” guide from the Careers website at https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/123871.htm. This includes a list of useful questions to help you explore your career options and introduces you to the DOTS model to help you with your career planning.
Main employers All occupational profiles listed on http://www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs.htm include a section on typical employers and vacancy sources, so use these as a starting point to research potential employers within the career areas that interest you.
Useful links/websites
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The Writers Guild of Great Britain: http://www.writersguild.org.uk/
Media U.K: www.mediauk.com Useful alphabetical search facility. Lists all newspapers, magazines, on line and broadcast media. Searchable by region. Helpful source of information for work experience requests.
Hold the Front Page: www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk and www.journalism.co.uk are useful for current trends, networking and job search.
Journalism.co.uk: www.journalism.co.uk has a directory with a comprehensive list of industry links.
National Council for the Training of Journalists: www.nctj.com provides careers information including a list of approved courses.
Broadcast Journalism Training Council: www.bjtc.org.uk
Periodical Training Council: www.ppa.co.uk/jobs-careers -and-training/the-periodicals-training-council-ptc/ provides advice and guidance on working in broadcast journalism
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Career Insight: International Journalism
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National Union of Journalists: www.nuj.org.uk Trades Union for Journalists
The Book Seller: www.thebookseller.com includes a comprehensive job vacancy listing and links to other recruitment services
The Publishers Association: www.publishers.org.uk the trade association provides information on the industry and job roles.
Publishing News: www.publishingnews.co.uk the latest news and a job vacancy service
Department for Culture, Media and Sport: www.culture.gov.uk
The North West Media Training Consortium: www.mtnw.co.uk
The Looprevil Press: www.looprevilpress.co.uk if you want to get involved with student press and radio
The Guardian: http://media.guardian.co.uk
Your Creative Future: www.yourcreativefuture.org.uk Careers information aimed at students and graduates
Transition traditions: www.transitiontradition.com Creative industries aimed at students and graduates.
Art, Culture, Media Jobs: www.artsculturemediajobs.com provides a general way of searching for agencies
Creative times: www.creativetimes.co.uk/statics/about Creative Times is an on-line magazine for the creative community. Register to receive e-mail updates
Indeed.co.uk: www.indeed.co.uk, search for creative jobs and location
The Reader Organisation: http://www.thereader.org.uk/
News From Nowhere: local radical book store http://www.newsfromnowhere.org.uk/
The Windows Project: poetry education charity - been in existence for over 30 years http://www.windowsproject.net/index.htm
Writing on the Wall: Liverpool Literary Festival runs annually http://www.writingonthewall.org.uk/
Broadcast Now (radio and television): www.broadcastnow.co.uk
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Career Insight: International Journalism
Creative Choices: www.creative-choices.co.uk information, advice and resources to help you build skills and find opportunities in the creative industries.
Grapevine Jobs: www.grapevinejobs.com for jobs in broadcast, film and music.
Arts Hub: www.artshub.co.uk listing arts and creative jobs including internships and work experience.
Regional Arts Boards of the Arts Council: www.arts.org.uk
Skillset: www.skillset.org profiles on a range of different media career areas.
General:
LJMU Vacancy System http://ljmu.prospects.ac.uk/
Prospects – Careers information and graduate jobs – www.prospects.ac.uk
TargetJobs - Careers information and graduate jobs – www.targetjobs.co.uk
Online Directory of postgraduate courses in the UK www.prospects.ac.uk/student/pgdir
Graduate to Merseyside (graduate roles in small businesses on Merseyside) http://www.liv.ac.uk/careers/gradvantage/internships.htm
Milkround – graduate jobs, placements & internships http://www.milkround.com/
Get into Teaching http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching
Follow relevant companies/websites through Twitter:
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@LJMUCareers
@TheWritersGuild
@CreativeChoices
@mediavolt
@getintoteaching
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Career Insight: International Journalism
@TeachFirst
Sources of work experience Gaining experience, whether it is through writing or in other areas of the creative industries, is really important. Networking is crucial and many contracts are filled through contacts and links with people who have worked together before. Download our mini-guide on “Making yourself employable whilst at University” from https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/123871.htm for an overview of the different types of work experience available and some general suggestions about finding work experience opportunities. LJMU has been managing a summer internship programme for Level 5 students in recent years, so keep an eye on your LJMU inbox for details of any opportunities. The Production Unit managed by Paula Baines, Student Development Coordinator, offers a range of work experience projects mainly in film and media production but may also offer writing opportunities. Details of opportunities are emailed directly to students Contacting media companies, publishers, schools, etc. directly at networking events, via email or through LinkedIn may lead to work experience. It is important that you demonstrate that you are interested in the company and have spent some time finding what they do. Even when applying to secure work experience for the first time in this industry, show the employer what you have to offer. Briefly outline the relevancy of your course. Look at the skills outlined above and try to discuss these in your CV, drawing on examples from your course and other work experience or extra-curricular activities to demonstrate these skills. Useful websites to research a range of voluntary opportunities include http://www.do-it.org.uk/ and http://www.volunteeringliverpool.org.uk/. You could also contact LJMU Volunteering Manager Chris Prescott on 0151 904 6356 or c.j.prescott@ljmu.ac.uk to enquire about current opportunities. It is also worth researching relevant organisations/charities and contacting them directly to find out about voluntary roles on offer.
Additional Links BBC: www.bbc.co.uk/jobs Information on work experience schemes and jobs within the BBC Broadcast Freelancer: www.broadcastfreelancer.com, placements, jobs, news and future productions 4Careers: www.channel4.com/4careers , information on work experience schemes and jobs within Channel 4. Radio Centre: www.radiocentre.org.uk, includes a guide to finding work experience in commercial radio
Recruitment schedules Creative writing positions come up as and when required. It is important that you network and engage with employers and utilise the websites and Twitter feeds above to find out about opportunities. Many
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Career Insight: International Journalism
other roles within the creative industries will be through small or medium sized enterprises/businesses (SMEs). These types of SMEs will recruit ‘as required’. They may use their own application form but most applications will be by CV and covering letter. These positions will be advertised on company websites, relevant recruitment websites and national and local newspapers.
The ‘creative’ or ‘speculative’ approach to job hunting is also important when looking for graduate roles. Making contacts and approaching organisations speculatively to look for work is a common route into employment. For more information about the speculative approach to job hunting, download a copy of our guide to ‘The Hidden Jobs Market’ from http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/123871.htm. Roles within public sector organisations, such as schools or museums, or creative organisations such as galleries, also recruit as required. However, it is more common to apply using an application form. A comprehensive person specification is usually included in the advertisement. Each point in this has to be addressed within the personal statement section within the application form. If you decide to take a different path outside the creative industries you can look at graduate training schemes, many of which are open to graduates from any discipline. If you are interested in these roles you will need to be aware of the graduate recruitment cycle. Many recruiters begin the graduate recruitment process during the autumn term for final year students. Most closing dates are in November and December but some are earlier so it is important to start researching companies that you want to apply to early on. The application process usually involves completing an online application form, which may require you to answer ‘competency based questions’ Psychometric tests, a telephone interview and an assessment centre will usually follow. You may also need to submit your CV. Always carefully read through the information in the ‘careers’ or ‘graduates’ section of the employer’s website. For more information about graduate schemes, download the ‘Graduate Schemes’ guide from https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/123871.htm. You can get advice about the recruitment process by booking a one-to-one appointment with a careers or employability adviser or you can attend workshops, webinars and employer events offered by the Careers Team.
Key events and networking
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Liverpool Careers Fair: usually held in the autumn and spring of each year, see fairs website http://www.liverpoolfairs.org.uk/ for additional events
Manchester Careers Fairs: open to students and graduates from any university; check http://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/students/events/ for details
Careers and Employability events at LJMU: Keep an eye on our events pages at https://worldofwork.ljmu.ac.uk/events/ for details of upcoming employability workshops, networking sessions and employer talks.
LiverpoolSU Clubs and Societies: http://ljmu.unioncloud.org/groups#club-society
LinkedIn: You could also consider setting up a LinkedIn account (http://www.linkedin.com/) to network online with professionals and organisations in your chosen industry
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Career Insight: International Journalism
Other information Centre for Entrepreneurship – Support for LJMU students and graduates interested in starting up their own business. Further details can be found here: http://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/startup/
CAREER ZONES Our campus-based Careers Zones are based in the reception area of James Parsons Building at Byrom Street, in Aldham Robarts Library and in IM Marsh Library. Call in for help with any careers enquiries, to book an appointment with our advisers, pick up careers guides and resources, meet employers, book a practice interview and much more.
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Career Insight: International Journalism
NOTES
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