It's probably the question I get asked most often - "how do you get into journalism?". It usually follows "you must have an interesting job!" said with a mixture of wistfulness and envy. I doubt that any two journalists give the same advice, but here's mine for what it's worth. It might save me a few emails (but if it generates more I don't mind)
Here in the UK we have something called "Media Studies" which seems to have replaced "sociology" as the bête noir of the educational right. Unfortunately journalists' contempt for media studies knows no such ideological boundaries. It's universal. In other words if you want to study how society works - go ahead and study the media. Just don't think it's a good way to become a journalist. If you've been lured onto a college media studies course as a way into the industry, sue them and use the compensation to fund a proper course.
Of course every rule has its exception, and in this case he's called Michael Jackson. No not that one, I mean the guy who ran BBC2, is now Chief Executive of Channel 4 and is one of the fancied runners in the BBC's Director-General Stakes. He did media studies and it got him into the industry on a meteoric path to the top. Then again just because someone smokes 40 a day and lives to be 100 doesn't mean tobacco's good for you.
Anyway, what's a "proper" course? Quite a few places run vocational courses. I'm not going to list them, as there's too many and I wouldn't keep the list up to date. See the "Guardian Media Guide" for details. No I'm not paid to say that and I don't know the authors, it's just the reference bible for working journalists and unlike some of the longer established tomes it's affordable and portable. Courses fall into four groups:
College training courses: approved by the NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) or the BCTJ (Broadcast Council etc) and run by local colleges. Go straight from leaving school, or get a job on a local paper and do the NCTJ course on day-release. An excellent way to start. Many employers still regard NCTJ training and local paper experience as the best basis for journalism in any media.
Degree courses. Regarded with almost as much suspicion as media studies. You'll get proper training, but much better to study a useful subject like science, politics, geography, foreign languages, economics. Then go and do one of the following:
Postgraduate vocational diploma. Again look for recognition by the NCTJ (newspapers) BCTJ (broadcasting) or similar industry body. They'll include some work experience which often leads into that crucial first job.
Industry training course. If you can get on a newspaper, magazine or broadcaster's in-house scheme you've pretty much got it made. Check out the BBC, ITV, and newspaper groups listed in the above guide. Trouble is competition's immense. I had a look at the BBC News Trainee application form ten years ago and felt very inadequate. I didn't even apply but it hasn't stopped me building a good freelance career around Radio 4.
You've also got the option of not training at all. This is particularly relevant for more mature people who've already got some work and life experience. If you can write in a neat straightforward style without too many grammatical and spelling errors, and if you've got something to say, then you can start submitting articles to magazines. Editors want to know what you've done before, and what you can do for them now, not what your qualifications are. Many people have done it this way. It ain't easy though, you won't have absorbed the culture of journalism, the ways of "selling" stories, the basic legal knowledge to avoid libel or contempt of court, and so on. Best get trained.
Historic rally cars: pics and information
Is it worth the effort?
Yup, you bet it is.