This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2013/feb/06/journalists-training-young-people-internships
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Go global! Local papers and unpaid work are not the only options for would-be journalists | Go global! Local papers and unpaid work are not the only options for would-be journalists |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Glen Keogh's post in the Guardian Northerner on the difficulties of pursuing a career in journalism in the north is one I sympathised with. As a Mancunian graduating with a postgraduate diploma in journalism last summer, I was always aware of the job market I would be stepping into – one with very little demand for traditional news reporters and hundreds of desperate graduates competing for the few positions available. | Glen Keogh's post in the Guardian Northerner on the difficulties of pursuing a career in journalism in the north is one I sympathised with. As a Mancunian graduating with a postgraduate diploma in journalism last summer, I was always aware of the job market I would be stepping into – one with very little demand for traditional news reporters and hundreds of desperate graduates competing for the few positions available. |
| Yet much of the advice given to aspiring journalists today is misleading and outdated. There is too much emphasis placed on doing as many unpaid work placements as possible in the vague hope of eventually landing that first job in local journalism. This was reflected in Glen's post and the reply from Grace Newton of the Retford Times, and it fails to acknowledge the fact that the newspaper industry no longer has the resources to accommodate the number of graduates seeking employment there each year. | Yet much of the advice given to aspiring journalists today is misleading and outdated. There is too much emphasis placed on doing as many unpaid work placements as possible in the vague hope of eventually landing that first job in local journalism. This was reflected in Glen's post and the reply from Grace Newton of the Retford Times, and it fails to acknowledge the fact that the newspaper industry no longer has the resources to accommodate the number of graduates seeking employment there each year. |
| Compared to their London counterparts, would-be journalists from the north of England have always been at a disadvantage. The BBC's partial move north to MediaCityUK was a step in the right direction, but the centralised nature of the national media remains a major obstacle for ambitious young journalists outside the capital, few of whom can afford unpaid placements there. | Compared to their London counterparts, would-be journalists from the north of England have always been at a disadvantage. The BBC's partial move north to MediaCityUK was a step in the right direction, but the centralised nature of the national media remains a major obstacle for ambitious young journalists outside the capital, few of whom can afford unpaid placements there. |
| In light of these circumstances, I decided to follow a different path. In September I flew to Chile to begin reporting for the Santiago Times, an online newspaper in the capital. This was not a paid position, but my plan was to use it as a base to find stories and pitch them to other newspapers and magazines as a freelance foreign correspondent. | In light of these circumstances, I decided to follow a different path. In September I flew to Chile to begin reporting for the Santiago Times, an online newspaper in the capital. This was not a paid position, but my plan was to use it as a base to find stories and pitch them to other newspapers and magazines as a freelance foreign correspondent. |
| At first I was able to support myself by teaching English while I wasn't reporting (the cost of living in Chile is much cheaper than in the UK). It gave me the opportunity to pursue my interests and come up with my own ideas for feature articles. I began investigating prison conditions, disability rights, social movements, environmental scandals and anything else that took my fancy. | At first I was able to support myself by teaching English while I wasn't reporting (the cost of living in Chile is much cheaper than in the UK). It gave me the opportunity to pursue my interests and come up with my own ideas for feature articles. I began investigating prison conditions, disability rights, social movements, environmental scandals and anything else that took my fancy. |
| Things did not immediately go to plan, and I quickly discovered that whilst I thought my ideas were fascinating, few editors shared my enthusiasm. This was demoralising but I kept pitching and broadening my network of publications and editors. Eventually, after around three months, I began to generate some interest and have my pieces commissioned. | Things did not immediately go to plan, and I quickly discovered that whilst I thought my ideas were fascinating, few editors shared my enthusiasm. This was demoralising but I kept pitching and broadening my network of publications and editors. Eventually, after around three months, I began to generate some interest and have my pieces commissioned. |
| Recently, I read a piece by the Guardian columnist George Monbiot in which he urges young journalists to follow their passions rather than seek a comfortable job. | Recently, I read a piece by the Guardian columnist George Monbiot in which he urges young journalists to follow their passions rather than seek a comfortable job. |
| In journalism school…students are routinely instructed that, though they may wish to write about development issues in Latin America, in order to achieve the necessary qualifications and experience they must first spend at least three years working for a local newspaper… If you want to write about the Zapatistas in Mexico, earn the money required to get you out there and start covering them. | In journalism school…students are routinely instructed that, though they may wish to write about development issues in Latin America, in order to achieve the necessary qualifications and experience they must first spend at least three years working for a local newspaper… If you want to write about the Zapatistas in Mexico, earn the money required to get you out there and start covering them. |
Following my experiences, I couldn't agree more. | Following my experiences, I couldn't agree more. |
| I would recommend all aspiring journalists in the north to consider this option, in addition to the more traditional ones presented to them. It won't be for everybody. Freelance journalism will not provide you with security, you will face numerous rejections and the experience will often feel lonely. But you will be doing what you want, find yourself in incredible situations and, most importantly, you will be free. | I would recommend all aspiring journalists in the north to consider this option, in addition to the more traditional ones presented to them. It won't be for everybody. Freelance journalism will not provide you with security, you will face numerous rejections and the experience will often feel lonely. But you will be doing what you want, find yourself in incredible situations and, most importantly, you will be free. |
| Mischa Wilmers is a journalist covering international affairs and social justice. He has written for the Guardian, Independent, New Internationalist, Big Issue in the North, Santiago Times and Equal Times, among others. His website is here and he Tweets here | Mischa Wilmers is a journalist covering international affairs and social justice. He has written for the Guardian, Independent, New Internationalist, Big Issue in the North, Santiago Times and Equal Times, among others. His website is here and he Tweets here |
| Like to join this debate? Posts on the issue are warmly welcome from other would-be or trainee journalists. We can't pay and we apologise for that, but we can give you a platform and a modest loudhailer. And we have some interesting - and interested - media people reading. Please email us on northerner @guardian.co.uk. | Like to join this debate? Posts on the issue are warmly welcome from other would-be or trainee journalists. We can't pay and we apologise for that, but we can give you a platform and a modest loudhailer. And we have some interesting - and interested - media people reading. Please email us on northerner @guardian.co.uk. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. |