Do I need a degree to work in media?
Whether or not you need a degree depends on the industry, says Ciarán Burke, editor of Hiive at Creative Skillset. “You don’t always need one in TV. Likewise for online publications – if you have built up an audience for yourself through a blog or YouTube channel you are often more desirable to an employer than someone who has a degree.”
You also don’t have to study media specifically. “In fact a lot of employers prefer you not to have a media degree,” says Hayley Barlow, head of communications for Channel 4 News. “Jon Snow is always advising students to read any degree other than media. For example our foreign affairs correspondent read geography, Lindsey Hilsum, our international editor, read languages and Cathy Newman read English. At Channel 4 News we’re looking for people with a point of differentiation.”
More important than a degree is showing you have an ability to learn on the job, says Julian Lloyd-Evans, managing director of advertising for Dennis Publishing. “That could be demonstrated with a portfolio of work and good references.”
It’s a similar story in book publishing. “In our industry a degree is usually a minimum entry requirement, however, if you can show a wealth of relevant experience, that could get you an interview,” adds Kate Stephenson, editor at HarperCollins.
Should I work for free?
Regrettably, unpaid work when starting out seems to be almost inevitable, says Gavin Ricketts, author of Clearly Creative CVs. “The main thing is to make sure the internship gives you what you need. You also need to cap the length of time you do the internship – as a rule of thumb two weeks is long enough to get the experience and contacts. Then move on and go somewhere else, get experience in a new environment, and make more contacts.”
Barlow agrees that often unpaid work experience is a reality for aspiring media types. “The industry is saturated with wannabe journalists with degrees. So you need to stand out from the rest. Other than bringing in exclusive stories, the most likely way of getting into the media is online. Have your copy published on a blog – Huffington Post is a great example.”
If you can afford to, don’t discount unpaid work experience, says Cheryl Douglas, head of media research and jobs for Gorkana. “Getting your foot in the door and getting experience is key. Don’t just write the one piece of copy they’ve asked you for, volunteer other story ideas and make the most of being there,” adds Douglas.
The trick is to stay in touch with the companies after the internship, “send them updates of what you’ve been up to so they know you’re improving,” adds Ricketts.
How do I change career into journalism?
Working in another industry can be a good route into a media role, and “it’s never too late to change careers,” says Jason Soper-Dyer, recruitment manager for ITV. “But if you’re serious about changing careers you will need to work on networking. Approach as many people as possible, be prepared to graft and take unpaid work at first to build up experience.”
It’s also important to emphasise transferable skills in your job applications. “For example, if you worked in marketing, you’ll have worked on copy and editorial planning. Make sure you highlight this,” says Ricketts.
Is a degree or postgraduate qualification more important than skills and experience?
Experience is generally seen as more valuable than academic qualifications. “For example, I recently hired one of our interns who didn’t have a degree but had an impressive online presence over someone who had an English degree from Oxford,” says Burke. “If you can show practical experience over someone who has a degree, any smart employer will take notice.”
Samantha Miskin, talent acquisition manager of Hearst Magazines, agrees: “A degree or postgrad qualification is not essential for a lot of roles. More important is work experience, passion, and having the right skills and attitude.”
Likewise, Alison Wheeler, people development coordinator at Bauer Media, says there is a similar attitude at Bauer. “In my experience we very much value the person’s skills and experience over having a degree.”
The golden rule: network, network, network
Lastly, one of the golden rules of working in media is making contacts. “In media, networking is key,” says Douglas. “Getting hands-on experience through unpaid work is a good route in as it puts you right in front of potential employers.”
Barlow adds that networking skills are particularly valued in the newsroom. “The key to being a successful journalist is not writing perfect prose or delivering a flawless TV report. It’s about contacts, contacts, contacts. You don’t find stories sitting behind your desk.”
Though you needn’t have contacts in the media – some unexpected contacts can lead to a good news story. “Is your aunt a midwife, your father a lawyer, does your ex-boyfriend work in banking? What do they know? Have an enquiring mind. Ask questions. Ultimately, it’s all about producing great exclusives,” says Barlow.
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