Why study journalism?

Are you naturally curious? Enjoy writing and researching? If your answer is yes, then journalism may be the right career for you! As a journalist, you will be reporting, editing, researching and interviewing people on a daily basis. Therefore, you need to be confident when speaking to new people and need to develop a keen eye for detail. Depending on your interests, there are several areas to specialize in such as political news, fashion, travel, food, celebrity culture and sport. As the field is so varied, there are also various forms of writing that you can choose from, for example, news, features, documentary, opinion, investigative and court reporting, to name a few.

The journalism industry is constantly evolving, particularly with the decline of print publication and the rise of digital reporting. Journalists are expected to do more than just write nowadays. We spoke to Benjamin Falk, Senior lecturer in journalism at London Metropolitan University, who said: “Obviously there's been quite a big change since I started, in that there has been an explosion in online. That means that journalists moving forward will need to be far more multi-skilled, I think. They'll need to be able to use cameras, edit video, understand how to utilise social.”

What skills will I gain from this degree?

As a journalist you will be required to conduct in-depth research, arrange interviews, stay on top of current affairs and manage your own time effectively. Therefore, a journalism degree can teach you a set of invaluable skills:

• Attention to detail
• Strong written and communication skills
• Time management
• Interviewing skills
• Social media proficiency
• Problem solving
• Social skills
• Critical thinking

While it is not mandatory to train as a journalist, it is highly recommended. As the industry is so competitive, it will be beneficial for you to have the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the field. You will also build up a portfolio of work which you can present to future employers so they can get a sense of your interests and writing abilities. Many journalists start out by studying journalism, English or social sciences as a degree which can also be NCTJ accredited (National Council for the Training of Journalists). This is a highly respected certificate within the industry and would put you in a strong position when applying for jobs.

Benjamin Falk explains that a journalism degree can prepare you for more than just a career as a journalist, “We’re aware that a university course should be about transferable skills as much as anything else. So, you can take what you learn on this course and hopefully apply it to whatever career you choose, even if it's not journalism.”

Employment prospects

While training to be a journalist will equip you with the necessary skills to enter the industry, with a journalism degree you would also be qualified to work within the following fields:

• Copywriting
• Public Relations (PR)
• Marketing
• Editing
• Publishing
• Web design

Basically, any role which requires excellent communication skills and the ability to think outside the box!

Now that you know more about studying journalism in the UK, start your course research today!