Comments on: Why a journalism degree will only get you so far

By: Holly Archard

Holly Archard — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:25:00 +0000

Hi looking for a little advice…I’m soon starting sixth form and I am going to do History, English Literature and Photography. I’m hoping to go to university and do some kind of Journalism course or degree…However I’m not sure what course would be best to get into the career.

By: The value of a journalism degree by andydickinson.net

The value of a journalism degree by andydickinson.net — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:43:23 +0000

[...] Why a journalism degree will only get you so far (blogs.journalism.co.uk) [...]

By: Paul Rayment

Paul Rayment — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:02:51 +0000

Agree totally. I worked in magazine for a bit but now work in PR.

Doing my degree (finished in 2001) was an eye opener and wallet emptier. Part of my degree included the history of journalism and the printed word…To this day I have never found a need for it. What has the history of the first newspaper got to do with being a journalist?!?!

Aside from that the course was spread so thin with students getting limited experience of TV/Radio/Print and a tiny bit of online. Ended up barely skilled in any while students doing a media degree were able to specialise.

I agree getting work in media outlets is essential but many Unis aren’t in media blessed locations. I was in Lincoln with a small local paper and radio stations all pissed off with getting students after placements. Luckily I had a friend in radio and got some hands on work at Hulls Viking FM.

I’d like to see courses now looking at working with PR agencies and working with the commercial nature of the industry. Maybe some do this, it has been a while.