It is sometimes thought that to make it as a journalist you need formal training or a prestigious degree. In fact, with a good idea and the tools to turn it into a strong pitch, you could already be on your way to breaking into the industry and helping to shape our political and culture conversation.
As this masterclass with the Guardian’s senior editor for diversity and development, Joseph Harker, will demonstrate, lived experience is one of the most crucial ingredients to a career in journalism. In this hands-on evening class, you will learn how to identify what editors are looking for and how you can marry this with your own ideas, as well as how to develop your niche and become an expert on a particular topic.
Prior to the course, you will be invited to complete a short piece of written work, plus a pitch for it, that you’d send to a Guardian commissioning editor. A selection of these will be reviewed live in the class - though don’t worry; if you’re not yet at the stage where you feel ready to write or pitch, this class will equip you with the tools to get to that level.
In this rare opportunity to gain crucial industry insights, you will also learn how to cope with rejection and why tenacity and determination is so important to succeeding in a career in journalism.
This course is for …
Anyone looking to break into, or find out more about, journalism - no matter their level of experience
Course content
Routes into journalism:
The many pathways
Joseph’s background in journalism, and how it led to his current post at the Guardian
Bursaries, internships, mentoring and more
Are degrees and journalism qualifications essential?
Having the idea:
Knowing what you want to write
Developing your specialism and expertise
The different journalistic personality types
Staying authentic - always be yourself
Pitching:
Where to pitch
Starting your portfolio
What makes a story interesting - and more likely to be commissioned
What editors are looking for
Breaking free of self-doubt:
How to deal with rejection and ask for feedback
Finding your way if the organisational culture or hierarchy doesn’t represent you
Building a support network
Drawing on your life experience to thrive
Developing confidence and determination
Tutor profile
Joseph Harker is a Guardian columnist and is the Guardian’s senior editor of diversity and development. He is a former deputy Opinion editor and before coming to the Guardian he was editor and publisher of the weekly newspaper, Black Briton. He writes about race, politics, sport and culture, and more. View his Guardian profile here.
Details
Date: Thursday 28 April 2022
Timings: 6pm-8pm BST
Price: £65 (plus £3.34 booking fee)
This masterclass is available globally. If you are joining us from outside the United Kingdom, please use this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.
6pm BST | 7pm CEST | 10am PDT | 1pm EDT
You will be sent a link to the webinar two hours before the start time of 6pm (BST).
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Information on Guardian Masterclasses
To contact us, click here. Terms and conditions can be found here.
All Guardian Masterclasses are fully accessible - but please contact us if you have any queries or concerns.
Returns policy
Once a purchase is complete we will not be able to refund you where you do not attend or if you cancel your event booking. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
