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Help Yourselves

Help Yourselves is a discussion area for those seeking advice and guidance about careers and training in journalism from other users of this site. It's a cross between a chatroom and a forum.

Scroll down to view the message area. Messages are listed in chronological order - most recent first.

Please keep your contributions short, legal and to the point.

All contributions (even those not currently on the board) can be found using the search tool.

Abbie Gee [82.42.144.115]
Friday, June 12 2009
16:49:45 (UK time)
I am looking for work experience related to journalsim in the north-west, preferably in Liverpool or Manchester. I am 15 and in year 11. I have written letters to several places but all have either not answered, or said that there are no placements available. The dates of the work experience are: 30/11/09 to 11/12/09. Please let me know if you can help me!
abigailgee93@hotmail.com

B Lloyd [152.78.6.39]
Wednesday, March 25 2009
17:18:29 (UK time)
I would like advice on reputable providers of training in proof reading and copy-editing, please. There are loads advertised on the web although I'm sure that some are better than others. I'm a beginner but would prefer more than a basic introductory day. Many thanks.

Gary Herman [82.108.33.78]
Wednesday, March 04 2009
15:55:23 (UK time)
Apologies for the long period of silence from us at the union. Right now, I'll just offer a few thoughts.

First, anyone aged less than 16 should speak to their school about work experience. The NUJ really can't offer any help. You may want to approach a local newspaper or broadcaster, but I'm not sure you'll be welcome if you're under 16. These days, it's relatively easy to start your own website, which may be the best route for you if you have much to contribute.

To Shelley, I'd just say your copyright belongs to you unless you've signed a legal contract assigning rights to another party or if you're employed and your contract of employment specifies that your employer is assigned your copyright. Neither situation pertains in your case, so tell the editor where to go.

Ryan Nana [92.237.21.101]
Friday, February 27 2009
16:45:29 (UK time)
hello i am 14 years old im not looking for a job right now but i am looking for an open door, i was wondering wheather you may have some tips and hints on how to become a journalist and possibly the requirements.

Bhina P [78.147.8.84]
Thursday, January 29 2009
19:22:57 (UK time)
I am 15 years old, currently in Year 10 and am looking for work experience, preferably in journalism. I want to be a journalist when i am older, but have had no luck finding experience due to my age. Help would be welcome. Email: ap61@hotmail.co.uk Thankyou

Shelley Jenkins [77.96.186.128]
Wednesday, November 26 2008
09:32:30 (UK time)
I have been writing a popular column for my local newspaper for about a year, the work unpaid. Very little editing is needed but I'm wondering can I make money out of it. I did put my back columns on a blog but my editor told me that the newspaper owns anything I write which they publish. I'm sure I still own copyright as no money or contracts have changed hands.

Han O'Connor [131.251.134.131]
Sunday, May 25 2008
19:15:51 (UK time)
I'm a 19 year old aspriring hip hop music journalist with a frequent frequant radio spot and a weekly one in the pipeline, a popular blog and I've just been published in Street Cred Magazine. It all sounds great on paper, doesn't it? See the thing is I want to start making some money off of my hard work. How do I go about that? Should I copyright my articles? Do I need an agent? If you have any suggestions please contact me on my business email miss_infomaniac@yahoo.co.uk

Many thanks for your time and effort.

david s [65.87.5.112]
Monday, April 07 2008
16:27:20 (UK time)
It may be possible for budding journalists to publish an Op-Ed in PublishALetter.com. If not, publishing a letter to the editor is always possible.

Tom Malaba [217.113.72.74]
Tuesday, April 01 2008
15:09:20 (UK time)
I would like to further my journalistic carreer with an MA in Broadcasting my the kind of monies that is required is over 7,000 pounds. Can some one offer any advice of sponsorship for a Uganda Journalist, some of those I have read through at the Guardian, nctj application deadline was March 31.

adam fawcett [80.193.161.143]
Wednesday, December 12 2007
20:42:48 (UK time)
i'm only 13 and would like to look ahead to my work experiance in radio as a journalist. i live in the north west and my local radio statiion century fm said i should contact them next year. i would advice anyone who likes that sort of thing to do the same

Mica Kingsley [208.184.65.95]
Sunday, October 21 2007
21:23:07 (UK time)
they only wanna do you dir. Mica Kingsley.

Ahmed Hey [194.74.176.34]
Thursday, October 04 2007
12:40:03 (UK time)
I am looking for a work experience with NUJ for year 10

Kim Winter [86.25.32.170]
Wednesday, September 19 2007
19:12:54 (UK time)
Im only 15 and have found little advice on the internet about becoming a journalist.Im currently studying media and plan to carry on.This is something that I really want to do but dont know how to start.I have emailed numerous newspapers for advice,however they have failed to contact me.
Is there any advice you could share?
Thank you.

Gary Herman [85.18.242.26]
Friday, July 27 2007
09:26:46 (UK time)
First, Victoria - the UK has no real tradition of unpaid internships in journalism except for work experience tied to ongoing courses. You could try approaching magazines or websites in your field and offering freelance articles - but you should receive payment for these. The union has a freelance fees guide' website at http://www.feesguide.org

Experience of some sort is always more useful than extra qualifications - particularly if you do manage to complete a PG course in journalism. You should approach your tutors for help in getting work.

Jo, if you really do need two weeks experience (it seems an awfully short time), try looking in your area and offering your services to a local parish mag or a website. If you write to a magazine, make sure to follow up with a phone call. If you're not concerned about pay, look locally and try to visit in person.

jo stan [81.103.110.253]
Wednesday, June 20 2007
16:15:43 (UK time)
I'm looking to get on a post-grad mag course. I've been told I need 2 weeks work exp on a mag. I have written to over 40 mags but with no positive response. Any ideas? Would consider community/social mags.

Victoria Ryves [86.29.55.174]
Monday, May 21 2007
22:41:04 (UK time)
I am looking to become a journalist post-grad and I am currently looking into a degree in history.Would it be recommended that after university I study a journalism course? Are they opportunities for unpaid internships after university for me to gain further journalistic experience for my CV?
Thanks.

Gary Herman [82.138.218.167]
Thursday, April 05 2007
20:38:44 (UK time)
To respond to Daniel Weir, you can apply for an NUJ card through your local branch (you don't say where you live but the main NUJ website at www.nuj.org.uk has a list of branches with contact details). If you were a student, it would cost £10 for the duration of your course. As a freelance trying to break in to journalism, you would probably best be advised to apply for temporary membership. This is (if memory serves) £40 a year and is specifically designed for people just starting out.

As far as getting a job as a photographer is concerned, you're probably out of luck. Increasingly, publications commission photography from freelances.

To find out more, join the union and get in touch with our freelance organiser, John Toner.

Abby Kooper [195.93.21.36]
Tuesday, April 03 2007
17:14:21 (UK time)
I am a year 11 (15 years old) with an interest in journalism. I am having trouble finding a suitable newspaper in my local area (Lancashire). Any information on work experience opportunities in the North West would be much appreciated.

daniel weir [90.195.246.99]
Friday, March 23 2007
15:15:55 (UK time)
hello i am a 17 years old male and have left school to become a freelance photographer and i am wondering how i go about pplying for my nuj card and how much it will cost.
i am also looking for a permenant job as a photographer and wondering if there are any papers, magazines or agencies in london that have jobs avaliable for photographers.

Anastasia Aboim
Thursday, October 12 2006
20:59:56 (UK time)
Hello I'm 16 and with a great interest in journalism, I would like some kind of work experience, but it's difficult to find. Please help.