Am I wasting my time?

[bren1942]

Am I wasting my time?
I would like to get into freelance journalism. However, before I take a one-year intensive writing course with the London school of journalism, I would like to know the answer to this question.

If I get to a high standard of writing at the same level as an experienced journalist and produce stories perfect for a local or national newspaper, am I wasting my time as an editor will not publish my work as I've never been to university?

Does an editor need to see that I've achieved a certain level in academic studies regardless of how good my work is, even if I have had work published in local free papers?

With thanks

I don't think it'd be a waste of your time if you were to do a one year intensive writing course.

Might be unrealistic to expect to get to the level of an experienced journalist as that kind of skill is usually built up over years.

I'd say it's well worth speaking to a careers advisor in the meantime.

I don't think most careers advisors know anything about this sort of career. Would it be possible for you to speak to someone in HR at your local newspaper? What sort of journalism do you want to be writing?