NUJ Training: Careers In Journalism
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bullet  Code of Conduct
bullet  Foreword
bullet  Join the NUJ
bullet  Introduction
bullet  What Journalists Do
bullet  Types of Journalism
bullet  Starting Out
bullet  Local & National Newspapers
bullet  National and Local News Agencies
bullet  Freelancing and Casual Work
bullet  Magazines and Periodicals
bullet  Book Publishing
bullet  Press and Public Relations
bullet  Radio and Television
bullet  On-line/New Media
bullet  Career Development
bullet  Ten Questions To Ask about Journalism Courses
bullet  Ten Dos and Don’ts when Looking for Work
bullet  Frequently Asked Questions
bullet  So Why Did You Become a Journalist?
bullet  Web Resources
bullet  Print Resources
bullet  Addresses
bullet  Glossary
bullet  Student work experience guidelines

 

Local & National Newspapers

The job
National newspapers have specialists in different subjects and skills. Local papers tend increasingly to rely on multi-skilling, so that one person may write local news or background features, sub-edit and even take photographs. The NUJ is not opposed to multi-skilling provided it doesn’t threaten job security and appropriate training and remuneration are provided.

Career paths
Local newspaper journalists may be employed straight from school or university, but generally you would be expected to take a pre-entry course. In any case, you will generally have to work your way up from the more mundane jobs. With some experience under your belt, you may expect to become a sub-editor, star reporter or feature writer, or you could make the transition to the nationals.

Qualifications
Unless you are a mature student aged 30 or over, you will need a minimum educational qualification of a degree or five GCSE passes at A to C level (Standard Grades in Scotland) one of which must be English to secure a place on a pre-entry course.

Some colleges insist on two A-levels or their equivalent. For NCTJ-accredited postgraduate courses, a first degree is required. If you find employment without first obtaining a journalism qualification, you may be expected to study on an NCTJ-accredited day or block release course. These courses may last several months.

The NCTJ is the main authority supervising training in provincial newspapers, and also accredits other courses including some employer schemes. There are alternatives to NCTJ accreditation. The government-sponsored Publishing National Training Organisation (NTO), for example, was launched in 2001 and accredits courses in ten centres on behalf of the employers’ organisations the Newspaper Society and the Periodical Publishers’Association, whose members include local newspaper and magazine publishers, respectively.

Many institutions offer photography courses, but there is only one NCTJ-recognised course for press photographers - run by the Sheffield College, for both graduates and non-graduates. Experience as a photographer is more important than qualifications to many employers.

The NCTJ also provides distance learning courses in newspaper and magazine journalism - the only correspondence courses widely accepted by the industry and recognised by the NUJ.
ENDS

Date added: 2006-08-18
Last modified: Thursday, July 3, 2003
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