Tell me about it
Journalists may work for newspapers, magazines, broadcasters or online publications, keeping readers informed about local, national and international events and issues.

Certain parts of the job are pretty much the same in all areas of journalism, such as generating stories by attending meetings and press conferences, following up 'leads' from members of the public and the emergency services, interviewing people over the phone or face to face, and writing up reports or 'copy'.

Journalists work to strict deadlines but must make sure that stories are accurate, interesting and written to a house style. On magazines, they may spend more of their time writing feature articles, while broadcast journalists may also contribute programme ideas, decide which facts are important to a story, decide how a story should be presented and assist with the editing. Photojournalists also take photographs to accompany the text that they write. Some journalists work for news agencies, which sell stories to all areas of the media.

Many journalists frequently work with other professionals, such as photographers, TV/radio crews, designers and freelance writers.

Entry level
Most trainees enter newspaper journalism after completing a one-year, full-time vocational journalism training course at a college accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). The minimum entry requirements are five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) including English, or equivalent qualifications. However, over 60% of new journalists have a degree, and many others have at least two A levels/three H grades, or equivalent qualifications. Direct entry from school or university on to a local or regional newspaper is also possible.

Entry into magazine or broadcast journalism is generally at graduate or postgraduate level. There are relevant courses accredited by the Periodicals Training Council and the Broadcast Journalism Training Council.

You will find it extremely useful to gain relevant work experience, such as working for a local newspaper, student magazine or hospital radio station, before you apply for training as a journalist.

Making the grade
Competition is keen, so you will need to present a good record of work experience accompanied by a file of 'cuttings' - samples of your writing. Treat the task of building your work experience record professionally. Start by taking every opportunity you can to write for publication: letters pages on local/national/specialist papers; articles and reviews for local/free papers. Get involved in student papers.
It is important not to give up the first time you are rejected - editors appreciate and respect persistence and determination to succeed.

After an initial probationary period, most trainee reporters follow basic journalism training under the terms of a training contract. You must pass seven preliminary exams to be eligible to sit The NCTJ national certificate. These are: newspaper journalism, public affairs (parts 1 and 2), dealing with handouts, law (parts one and two), and shorthand to 100 words per minute.

Some national papers have graduate trainee schemes, but competition for the limited number of places is extremely fierce. Programmes vary from year to year and details may not be widely circulated as editors rely on you to use your investigative skills to research opportunities!

Personal qualities
You should have excellent communication and social skills, good spelling, grammar and punctuation, a keen interest in news, current affairs and business, the ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines, and an ability to grasp complex issues quickly and explain them in simple language.

You must be self-confident, inquisitive and persistent, able to take responsibility for your work and to accept criticism, and capable of producing balanced and objective copy.

Looking ahead
Competition for jobs is fierce in all areas of journalism. After spending two or three years working on a local weekly paper, you might progress to a regional evening or daily. There are few openings in national newspapers.

With experience, you may specialise in an area such as sport or fashion, and within larger newspapers and magazines there may be openings for senior positions such as sub-editor or news editor.

You could also move between print and broadcast journalism, or into news agency work and public relations. Most broadcast journalists start in the newsroom before moving on to reporting, with some becoming presenters and correspondents.

Working overseas as a foreign correspondent is possible, as is general employment overseas where British-trained journalists are in demand.

There are an estimated 70,000 journalists in the UK. Around 60,000 are thought to be in print or publishing journalism, and 10,000 in broadcast journalism. Jobs are available all over the UK, but most opportunities are in London and south east England.

Many senior journalists work freelance across print, broadcast and online journalism.

Alternative suggestions
Other possibilities might include advertising copywriter/director, broadcasting researcher, press and information officer, public relations officer or television/radio announcer/presenter.

Take-home pay
Your starting salary as a trainee reporter on a local/regional paper could be as low as £10,000, but you should expect rises of £2,000 to £3,000 as you progress through your training period. Starting salaries for postgraduate trainees on a national paper are higher and range upwards from £14,000. The average salary for all journalists is £22,500 but that conceals considerable variation: the average salary for staff on national newspapers is £40,000 and on regional papers £17,500.

The highest-paid journalists and national newspaper editors can earn £100,000 or more. Freelance journalists negotiate a set fee for each piece of work they do.

Effects
You may need to work long, irregular hours. On national papers or in broadcasting, you might be expected to work shifts, including evenings, nights and weekends. On magazines the hours are more regular, although you may need to put in extra time as deadlines approach.

You would spend a fair amount of time out of the office, chasing up stories. This may involve being out in all weathers and travelling all over the UK, often at short notice.

Sources of information
National Council for the Training of Journalists: www.nctj.com
Broadcast Journalism Training Council: www.bjtc.org.uk
National Union of Journalists: www.nuj.org.uk
Chartered Institute of Journalists: www.ioj.co.uk
BBC Recruitment: www.bbc.co.uk/jobs
Independent Television News Ltd: www.itn.co.uk
Newspaper Society: www.newspapersoc.org.uk
Periodical Publishers Association: www.ppa.co.uk
Scottish Newspaper Publishers Association: www.snpa.org.uk

CRCI: PB