I have dabbled in various jobs but now want to retrain as a journalist – should I?
I am a 24-year-old “dabbler” in need of guidance. I have lived in China and speak Mandarin to an intermediate level, and have a half-finished degree in fine art that I can’t afford to complete. I have also worked successfully in events management and creative copywriting for small companies, both jobs gained through sheer luck and charm. The above are my only credentials.
Since relocating back to the UK my luck in the job department seems to be fizzling out. I am outgoing and warm and thrive on interacting on a humanitarian level. I love learning, especially about people, cultures and travel.
I applied for more than 50 jobs and the only one I was offered was as a corporate receptionist. With rent to pay I accepted, but three months on this is the last place I want to be.
Ideally I would like to retrain as a journalist, but aside from keeping my blog going I don’t know where to start. Is it worth doing a distance learning course? I can’t afford to go back to university or do unpaid work experience. I understand that writing is a competitive field, and although I don’t want to give up on something I believe I would be good at, I would be willing to settle for something else as long as it is interesting and has opportunities to progress and develop. Again, I have no idea where to start.
Jeremy says
Please don’t take offence, but I suspect you may have relied rather too much on the “luck and charm” that served you so well when you were living in China. As a result, on your return you didn’t think hard enough before applying for those 50 jobs. Forget, for a moment, what you are looking for, and do a cold-eyed assessment of what you have to offer.
Your knowledge of China and Mandarin seem obvious starting points, and your experience in copywriting and events management will have a value. Your task should now be to identify all those organisations with Chinese interests where someone such as yourself could theoretically make a contribution – the internet makes this easily possible. Of course, this restricts the number of jobs for which you might be eligible, but it’s far better to be unusually suited for a few roles than be no more than averagely suited for hundreds.
Don’t just scan the jobs that may be advertised; instead, select a dozen organisations that seem to be the most likely to be interested, research them thoroughly and then approach each one with a tailor-made application and covering letter. You should show that you’ve acquired a good understanding of the nature of their business so that you can then suggest in what way you believe you could make a useful contribution. Patience and perseverance should bring rewards.
Readers say
• I was a journalist and copywriter for 21 years until November, when I had a sudden, very happy career switch.
1. Journalism is a tough world to get into and stay in right now – very little money, and lots of people wanting to do what they think is glamorous. If you don’t feel a burning passion for it, steer clear.
2. Copywriting can be creative and interesting – given your Mandarin you may have luck writing for Chinese markets or liaising with Chinese companies.
3. Most importantly, stop dabbling. Sure, “portfolio” careers are all the rage. But every interviewer, every CV scrutiniser is trying to work out why you’ve chosen this job and why they should choose you. Passion should be something you are unafraid to show. Decide what you most want and aim for that. goeast
• If your drive and passion is to write then you are not such a dabbler at all. Stick with your passion and just use the corporate life to pay the bills. 8th3r1n3
• Staying in China would, if you could negotiate restrictions on journalists, have been a great start to launching a career in journalism. There are not that many Mandarin speakers among foreign correspondents, and there’s always room for news on China. Start as a stringer and fixer, go from there. KuchenCake
I work as a teaching assistant so why am I being paid only £20 a day?
I am a mature student in my 40s, retraining and in the final year of a foundation degree in early childhood studies. I spent the first year doing unpaid work across the sector. Having gained experience I looked for paid positions – a stipulation of the degree and useful in getting experience, especially as this final year involves conducting a small research project.
After many trial days through a recruitment agency I found myself in a setting I really liked, working as a teaching assistant under an experienced and supportive teacher. However, I am only being paid student expenses of £20 a day.
I do the full hours and am dedicated and determined. But the lack of pay is beginning to gnaw at me, especially as my husband and I struggle with childcare costs and my study time is also much reduced.
When is the best time to raise my needs and aspirations? The other issue is that I am aware that my boss has my welfare on her list of things to negotiate with management, although this has not been articulated in any way so I do not wish to harass her.
Jeremy says
Your diffidence is understandable, but it’s doing you no favours. You’re so conscious of being a mature student, and so oversensitive to the feelings of others, you’ve been altogether too reticent.
Now is the time to take control of your own life. The obvious person you need to talk to is your boss. Pick a date – perhaps an anniversary of working for her – and put your problems very much as you have to me. This is not to harass her; it’s part of her responsibilities and she should want to help.
Readers say
• I am unclear from your letter whether the £20 was exactly what you signed up for, or whether this is a complete surprise and absolutely unacceptable.
If it is the former you should accept it with good grace while seeking a discretionary increase through your supervisor. If it is the latter and you have good reason to believe you are not getting the agreed rate, then raise the matter more forcefully. No need to pussy-foot around. starterforten
• Perhaps get some employment law advice? If you’re working in the role fully and independently, and not in a training role, I would have thought that paying under the minimum wage is illegal. If you’re being trained in the job, that may be different. Charlie562
• Good old deferred gratification used to save cash. Same as I did as a final year student in a placement, 1975. Only 40 years with no progress. elvencejo
• I understand the resentment. As part of my degree I have to undertake an unpaid placement that requires me to spend four hours a day commuting. It is the age-old dilemma: tolerating pain and poverty for the promise of greater rewards in the future. Keep your eye on the prize and remember your situation is just a necessary stepping stone – or even rite of passage – that those before you must have trod. You will look back on it and be glad you stuck it out to achieve your long-term goal. cephus
Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or to reply personally.
