Journalism courses - getting started

A useful starting point is to establish whether you are interested in a specific branch of journalism, since some journalism courses are geared towards those wanting to work for newspapers, magazines or in broadcasting, for example. There are also more general journalism courses for those who have no clear idea at this stage of their future career path.

Most people start their careers in journalism working as a reporter for a daily or weekly regional paper – although there are other ways of breaking into the business for those who have no desire to work as a local reporter.

It’s worth remembering too that there are numerous behind-the-scenes journalistic jobs which might be of interest to you too. Sub-editors, for example, are the people who design and lay out newspaper pages as well as editing copy. There are also opportunities for designers in both the print and electronic media. Or you might be interested in working as a broadcast researcher rather than an on-screen presenter or newsreader.

The site is divided into different sections to help guide you through the journalism training options in a logical way. This section deals with the qualifications and qualities required to become a journalist.

The training courses pages then look at the journalism training options in print, broadcast and magazine journalism. You can also find out more about introductory distance learning courses available through journalism4schools. Links are provided to the different independent sites run by various colleges and employers.

Of course an important starting point is to consider whether you have really got what it takes to succeed in what can be a very demanding environment. Potential employers are looking for signs that your interest in the job is a genuine commitment, not just a passing fancy – and that you have the qualities as well as the qualifications required to cope with the day-to-day demands of the business.