Media Studies

Working in media, print and publishing involves creating products that inform and entertain people. Administrative, craft, technical and professional opportunities are available in a number of media including:

•  TV, film and radio - workers are involved in projects ranging from news broadcasts and documentaries to reality TV, sitcoms and big-budget films
•   newspapers and magazines - researching, writing, editing and illustrating news stories and features on a huge range of local, national and international topics
•  books - producing fiction and non-fiction titles on an enormous range of subjects
• photography - producing images that tell a story or record an event
•  print - making hard-copy products that include books, newspapers, magazines, greetings cards, brochures and office stationery.

Many jobs in this sector require early starts and late finishes, day, evening, night and weekend working. Long hours may be required to meet deadlines. While some workers are based in offices, studios or print shops, others may be required to travel frequently and work outside in all weather conditions.

 Employers range from very small companies to large organisations with thousands of employees, but many people in this sector are self-employed.

Over 400,000 people work in film, TV, radio and photographic imaging. The printing industry employs around 200,000 people. Competition for many roles is intense. There are opportunities throughout the world, although national newspapers, magazines, broadcasting companies, and many publishing companies tend to be based in majot metropolitan cities.

Freelancers and employees working on specific projects in media, photography and journalism may be required to travel anywhere all over the world  for work. Creativity is an essential skill for many jobs in this family. Communication skills, the ability to work well in a team, IT skills and confidence are also likely to be important. There are no set entry requirements for many jobs but, because entry is so competitive, applicants with relevant qualifications are likely to have an advantage.

Over two-thirds of media professionals are graduates, and many graduates apply for junior positions to gain work experience and make useful contacts. Applicants in these fields need to be persistent and committed to succeed. Relevant work experience, which may be unpaid, can be a vital step to finding paid employment.

There are opportunities in printing for entrants at every level. Many careers in broadcast jounalism have no formal promotion structure, but experienced workers may be able to progress to more senior roles. It may be possible to work overseas. reports and comments on current events. Their work can involve reacting to story 'leads' or generating story ideas, researching the background to stories, preparing scripts and interviewing people involved in a story.

They work closely with camera/sound crews and may operate some equipment. Some broadcast journalists specialise in a particular type of news story, for example political commentary or sports reporting. Working hours can be long and unpredictable. They may include early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays. Most broadcast journalists are based in offices, but they spend a lot of time out and about, covering stories.

They may have to work outside in all weather conditions and travel anywhere in the world, often at very short notice. There are opportunities in local television and radio all over the world, although the national and international services tend to be concentrated in major cities.

 Many jobs are offered on short-term contracts or as freelance work. Entry is very competitive. Work experience in areas like hospital radio, student and community broadcasting, local radio and newspapers is an essential first step. Almost all entrants are graduates. Most degrees are acceptable, but there are a number of degrees and postgraduate qualifications specifically relevant to broadcast journalism. Adult entry is possible.

There may be on-the-job training for new entrants, including the use of specialist software and technical equipment. Short courses may also be available.  Broadcast journalists often move from local radio into national radio or television, and from local television into national television. An experienced reporter may be promoted to correspondent and specialise in a particular subject such as war, politics or royalty. Some become presenters, work on documentaries, or move into investigative journalism.

Journalists write news stories and features for newspapers, magazines, broadcasting and other media, such as the internet and teletext. Their work involves discussing which stories to cover with editorial staff and finding out more by attending meetings, press conferences and courts, using libraries and the internet, and talking to people who can give them information. They may interview people who are involved in stories over the phone or in person. They write up stories, making sure they are interesting and accurate, and work to strict deadlines. Magazine journalists tend to work daytime hours, from Monday to Friday, but newspaper journalists may work shifts to cover evenings and weekends. They may need to work additional hours to meet deadlines.

Journalists are office based, but can spend a lot of their time away from the office covering stories. This can involve being outside in all weather conditions and travelling throughout the UK and overseas, often at short notice. A car and a driving licence may be useful. Some journalists are employed by press agencies that sell stories to a number of publications and other media. Many journalists work freelance for all or part of their careers. Some candidates enter from school or university into a training position on a magazine or a local or regional newspaper. The majority of journalists take a pre-entry course in journalism. Options include foundation degree, degree, one-year postgraduate and 18-20 week fast-track postgraduate courses.

New entrants may have the opportunity to study for further qualifications. Short training courses in relevant subjects are available for both newspaper and magazine journalists. Journalists gain promotion by moving from general reporting to writing features on specialist topics, or moving to a publication with a wider circulation. Some are promoted to editorial roles, or move into broadcast journalism or public relations