Journalism

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Broadcast journalist
• Editorial assistant
• Magazine features editor
• Magazine journalist
• Newspaper journalist
• Political risk analyst
• Press sub-editor
• Publishing copy-editor/proofreader
• Web content manager
• Writer

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Advertising copywriter
• Digital copywriter
• Market researcher
• Marketing executive
• Multimedia specialist
• Public relations officer
• Science writer
• Translator

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

If your aim is to work directly within journalism, it's vital that you build up a portfolio of work and gain as much relevant experience as possible. Working on a student newspaper, magazine or radio station will be helpful. You could also start your own blog to develop your writing style and interview techniques. Running a blog will also demonstrate experience using digital multimedia.

Take advantage of any work placements on your course to gain experience and make contacts within the industry.

Try contacting TV production studios, radio outlets, magazines and newspapers to ask about any work experience or freelance opportunities. Many publications have social media groups they can add you to that advertise upcoming pieces that need writers. Showing enthusiasm for the subject matter and gaining first hand paid or unpaid experience alongside your studies will be great for future job applications. Writing voluntarily for websites, print publications or other media outlets will also add to your portfolio and display your skills.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

If you want to work in a journalistic role, you can find employment in the following organisations:

• national, regional and local newspapers (print and online)
• radio and television stations
• magazines (print and online)
• media and broadcast companies
• creative digital media companies.

Outside of journalism and media, there are plenty of options for you to use your creativity and communication skills. Typical employers include:

• advertising and marketing companies
• charities
• corporate communications agencies
• PR consultancies
• any marketing and communications roles in non-marketing sectors.

Other common employers include the Civil Service and further and higher education institutions.

You can also find work in law, management, public administration and politics. A lot of organisations will have smaller communications or digital media teams that a degree in journalism would be desirable for.

Find information on employers in media and internet, marketing, advertising and PR, and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

A journalism degree provides you with a range of core journalistic skills including researching, investigating, interviewing, reporting and writing, in addition to technical skills such as video, editing, shorthand, audio, social media content creation, search engine optimisation amongst other digital marketing skills and web design.

It will also develop more general skills that are valued by employers, including:

• critical analysis
• resourcefulness
• self-management
• interpersonal skills
• leadership
• a flexible, creative and independent approach to tasks
• the ability to meet deadlines
• the capacity to communicate information effectively and efficiently
• the ability to listen and work productively in a team.

Further study

Some journalism graduates go on to undertake further training at postgraduate level. If you're determined to pursue journalism, a relevant training course accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) is generally highly regarded by employers. Other accredited courses use bodies such as the Professional Publishers Association (PPA) and the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC). It's also worth noting that a lot of undergraduate courses are NCTJ accredited as well.

If you're looking to enter other career areas, options for further study include teaching and law qualifications, or postgraduate courses in areas such as marketing or PR.

When deciding what to study, consider your career plan, academic interests, and the degree you've taken. Successful completion of a course doesn't guarantee entry into a particular area of work, but it can enhance your skills and chances of employment.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in journalism.

What do journalism graduates do?

15% of journalism graduates are working as newspaper and periodical broadcast journalists and reporters. PR professionals (13%), advertising and marketing associate professionals (10%)  and arts officers, producers and directors (4%) are also among the top five roles reported 15 months after graduation.

Find out what other graduates are doing after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.