Becoming a Journalist (2 Viewers)

[powerhouse]

Hey,

My UAI isn't good enough for the course B Arts in Communication (Journalism) at UTS, so I was wondering what's the next best course to become a journalist?

Cheers

 

[braindrainedAsh]

Journalism at CSU Bathurst
Journalism at QUT
Journalism at RMIT

Those three courses are probably the best alongwith/besides UTS, they have good reps in the industry especially CSU Bathurst.

If you don't want to move from Syd, maybe look at Mac's media course or maybe just do arts at USyd. You can do journalism postgrad or just try and get lots of stuff published to build up a strong portfolio. Wollongong also have media studies. Just do something that you think you will enjoy, and then try to get stuff published along the way. Maybe you can apply for a transfer along the way, or do journalism postgrad, if you end up doing a more generic arts degree.

 

[nwatts]

I've put down the Bachelor Communication and Media Studies (majoring in Journalism) as a top preference (as a double degree) at UOW. From what i've been told from a few different people, including a UOW lecturer and a professional journalist, the course is great, if simply not as well reputed as UTS's communications degrees. UOW also have a very vocational Bachelor of Journalism being introduced as an undergraduate course in 2007, unfortunately a year out for me. However I have been told that a transfer from Communication and Media to Journalism will be easy, as there are a number of subjects that can be used as credit. I haven't looked into this in serious detail. If you're interested I suggest calling either Eric Loo (head of Journalism) or Mary Street (admin) from the Creative Arts Faculty at UOW.

However the very resounding note I hear is that if you are very serious about moving into journalism you will do postgraduate work. Whether it be masters courses (such as the Master of Journalism UOW also offers which I hope to look into following my undergraduate years), internship programs with other universities/media corporations, or private vocational journalism courses.

 

[braindrainedAsh]

UOW was my second choice when I was applying for uni, it did look quite good.

But yeah, you can always do postgrad, it is probably looked at more favourably by employers anyway. UTS has some very good postgrad journalism courses too that have high standing in the industry.

 

[Acid]

I don't think the degree you do matters significantly as far as journalism is concerned. IMO, knowing the subject matter you want to write about and being a decent writer will land you a junior position anywhere, and experience will take you upward from there.

Study something you're interested in (or in my case, something you can use as a backup), and while you're at Uni fire off pieces to as many editors as possible and keep at it until they commission you some work.

Case in point - I'm studying a Commerce degree (Accounting/Finance) but have been a freelance technology journalist since I was about 13. The IT journo community is fairly small, so in that time (5-6 yrs) i've had the opportunity to write for most major technology publications, as well as newspapers such as SMH. I'm taking up a full-time journo job (w/ part-time study in the evenings) in January.

Find a niche, get your foot in the door, and then if you're good you'll have the opportunity to expand into other subject areas that you might find more interesting soon enough. Personally, I want to get into business journalism once I finish my degree.

 

[melsc]

My friend applied for CSU Bathurst and she told me if they select you based on your essays entry is automatic, otherwise I think she said the cutoff is 82?

 

[snickerdoodle]

I've wanted to do journalism since the age of 12 and for someone who can't move out of Sydney for Uni, I've only considered UTS and B Communications (majoring in journalism) at UWS (which no one has mentioned). Um, why has no one mentioned it? That kind of worries me...

Oo, and also Media in Writing at Mac.

 

[melsc]

The UWS journalism course is at Penrith, is that close for you?

 

[powerhouse]

Nah, Penrith is a long way

 

[absolution*]

Dont do a course in journalism. Do a course based in what you want to write about. A knowledge of the subject matter is far more important than writing style.

 

[Acid]

Dont do a course in journalism. Do a course based in what you want to write about. A knowledge of the subject matter is far more important than writing style.

That's pretty much what I was trying to say. I agree whole-heartedly.

 

[powerhouse]

okay, and should i send off examples to magazines and newspapers?

 

[bustinjustin]

Beaut, all this has helped me decide on Political Economy versus Journalism.

International Studies at Usyd it is.

http://community.boredofstudies.org/showthread.php?t=97187

Powerhouse, what subject area are you keen on specialising on? A lot of Political Economists become journalists for the simple fact that they're able to analyse political, social and economic situations as a result of their knowledge (or so claims Usyd propaganda), but really, they do.

Do postgrad journo with me! I'm going to do Grad Law, and then CSU Journalism by distance education whilst working (or I plan to anyway), if a UTS Diploma/Masters isn't flexible enough (CSU Journalism is full-fee, but you can apply for a CSP/HECS with UTS Postgrad journalism i think).

Nevertheless, next wednesday I'm going to ask UTS how postgrad journalism compares to the undergrad course, especially in terms of practical experience.

 

[braindrainedAsh]

If you want to be a news journalist, study journalism. If you want to specialize, study a specialist degree (e.g. business) and do journo postgrad or just write for heaps of publications while you are studying your undergrad degree.

Don't stress about what course you do... just whatever you pick make sure you get heaps of practical experience going on.

In the postgrad degree you do the same practical subjects as the undergrads with the exception of a couple.... you just have the media theory more condesed and don't have to do the cultural studies junk etc... and no electives outside the journalism ones as far as I understand. So it's still very hands on like undergrad.

 

[absolution*]

If you want to be a news journalist, study journalism.

Could you define "news journalist".

 

[snickerdoodle]

Could you define "news journalist".

I think she means a journalist who writes for a newspaper or magazine that doesn't have a specific area of interest; of course, everyone has their preferred topic, but if you're vying for an internship at a newspaper you're not going to impress your employer by saying "Btw, I ONLY write about business/sport/politics". Also by doing a specialist degree you're missing out on studying other forms of journalism (television, radio) and also left to your own devices in order to produce a portfolio. But yeah, a postgrad degree will take care of that.

I personally wouldn't spend 3 years on a specialist degree. At least with a journo degree, you keep your knowledge general and get a taste for all facets of the industry. Besides, you do have electives. And if you want to write about a specific area your whole life, chances are you will know/learn copious amounts of information on it anyway.

 

[AlleyCat]

there are plenty of opportunities to specialise in particular subjects after you have grasped the general idea of journalism. i applied for both journalism at UTS and RMIT and got into both, but UTS was full fee while RMIT was CSP so i decided on RMIT based on that and also the suggestions of my careers adviser, who said that RMIT has a more practical-based course, which appeals to me.

but i guess we'll see how it all works out when uni starts next month.

 

[braindrainedAsh]

RMIT has a good course, I'm sure you will enjoy it. UTS has a good course too, but not that thousands of dollars a year in fees extra you would be paying to do full fee...

But yes, by news journalist, I meant being an everyday reporter type, rather than for example writing fashion copy for a magazine. The fact is for most entry level positions you will be expected to write whatever you are told to write... specializing in a specific area is really something you may only get the opportunity to do once you are well established in many circumstances.

Ultimately, it's your determination that will get you by in the end, so I think people should just pick the path they feel most comfortable with.

 

[dissipate]

I don't think the degree you do matters significantly as far as journalism is concerned. IMO, knowing the subject matter you want to write about and being a decent writer will land you a junior position anywhere, and experience will take you upward from there.

Study something you're interested in (or in my case, something you can use as a backup), and while you're at Uni fire off pieces to as many editors as possible and keep at it until they commission you some work.

great advice from acid!!

you really don't need a degree in journalism to be a journalist/writer. you don't even _need_ to be studying what you want to write about (though it will help a bit).

i have an IT degree and am a journalist with my local newspaper. i also write for magazines. 99% of the articles i've written have absolutely nothing to do with IT - i've written about student life, health, mental illnesses, jobs, dancing, government policies, travel...

you just need to be able to write and have a good eye. check these books out at a library or bookstore:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produhttp:...ref=sr_1_1/104-5176761-3707137?_encoding=UTF8
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/19...104-5176761-3707137?s=books&v=glance&n=283155
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/02.../104-5176761-3707137?n=12024&s=books&v=glance
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07.../104-5176761-3707137?n=12024&s=books&v=glance
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/09...104-5176761-3707137?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

 

[blackfriday]

i got told by some people at the canberra times as well as peter fitzsimons that having a vast 'life experience' and a decent portfolio was far more important than a journalism degree. even if you do finish an communications degree theres only six cadetships on offer a year at news limited sydney.