Journalism course applications rise as jobs fall

Increasing job cuts, tighter deadlines, restricted resources, endless rewrites of press releases and a lowly pay packet at the end of it all.

Who would ever want to try and enter the world of journalism, especially now with a downward spiraling recession only adding to the many obstacles in the freshly graduated journalist’s path?

However, despite all the difficulties that present themselves to those who want to pursue a career in the industry, it seems the facts and figures are being ignored as more and more people enter the journalistic job market and training worlds.

Figures from university admissions service UCAS report that applications to Journalism and journalism-related courses has increased significantly on past years.

During the application time of August 2008 up until the deadline of January this year year UCAS received 13,229 applications, an increase of 24 per cent on recent years.

In opposition to this marked rise of enthusiasm for the subject there are those who are currently reaching the end of their journalistic studies who have some reservations about entering the journalism sector.

Steve Noble, 23, is completing his MA in journalism at the University of Sunderland and is now considering his options for after he graduates.

“Newspapers are cutting down their workforce, especially regional papers which is a trainee journalists best start in a career, and with a high competition rate its a great concern. There just aren’t enough jobs for the amount of people applying.”

The right training

Many in the industry are urging the importance of correct training. Eastern Daily Press deputy editor Paul Durrant told a recent NCTJ student council meeting, that he felt vocational qualifications were more desirable than a degree when considering employing a journalist to work at his paper.

Sunday Sun editor Colin Paterson advised: “The fundamental requirements needed to secure a job in journalism are pretty much unchanged with regards to accuracy, determination, a questioning attitude and bags of confidence allied to the normal skills of shorthand, law and excellent English.”

“The only difference, and its a vitally important one, is for journalists to know how to get the best out of the Internet, and be able to use it as a useful tool. Video and other multimedia skills are also a tremendous advantage in a modern newsroom.”

Now many NCTJ accredited degrees in the UK aim to provide prospective journalists with all the right skills they need to perform their job accurately and to a high standard.

A lot of journalism courses now include modules on Media Law, Local and Central Government, as well as online and multimedia elements to keep up with the developing industry.

Evening Chronicle editor and Editorial Director of Trinity Mirror North East Paul Robertson listed the following key skills as a must for new journalists: “Knowledge of the newspaper you are applying to; it’s market, readership, circulation area.”

“Shorthand and an abundance of ideas, preferably ones you can bring to an interview which may even be ready to publish.”

“Showing a portfolio of work done at college and during work experience, demonstrating talent and passion. Along with a strong working knowledge of digital media.”

Other options

Staff and circulation figures of both the newspaper and magazine sector are falling in this current economic climate. Many graduates are turning to other avenues such as; PR, media marketing and other higher paid or accessible jobs.

Steve Noble noted: “the good thing about journalism is you learn a lot of valuable and transferable skills. PR is the biggest lure, being generally better paid and less competitive, but journalism is the job I would love to get into.”