Son interested in journalism - what does he need?

[FellatioNelson]

Hi all, a really quick reply would be hugely aprpeciated here as I think time is of the essence - I need to make a phone call asap.

Son had his interview for 6th form college yesterday. We spend a great deal of time discussing together which would be good A levels for him, we both compromised a bit, and came up with the following list:

English (Lang) - his strongest subject
Philosophy
Sociology
Art (Graphics)

He doesn't know much about sociology but he's very good at RE and the social/economic side of geography, though he fancies doing something new and fresh so we thought it might be a good one to go for.

He says he'd like to be a journalist although at only 15, he's really not sure yet.

Anyway, he came back from his interview yesterday saying that the admissions tutor had persuaded him that he should drop Sociology and do Media Studies instead, as his current choice of subjects don't 'match' and media A level will be good for journalism. I think she's talking shite. I think he needs at least three strong academic and/or humanities subjects including English, and should aim to do English at degree with a post-grad journalism course, ro something similar. NOT a media degree. As far as I can tell, Media A level will not be valued by most decent universities, and could well count against him with some.

Am I right? Should I phone her today and ask for it to be changed back again? I'm a bit cheesed off that she should seek to influence a boy (he's under 16) who she doesn't even know, without his parents' consent TBH. And he sounds quite taken with the idea of media now. Well, he would, wouldn't he? He knows nothing!!!!

list of "good" A level subjects

sociiology ok-ish, media stufies nowhere

Friend who is a newspaper editor says don't touch media studies with a bargepole - your insightful critique of Kylie's career on Neighbours will not win you a place at journalism's college.

I was a journalist untill I was made redundant a year ago (after more than 20 yrs in newsapers and magazines )

I work in another sector now as I was unable to get a journalism job of any kind in this area (east Mids). That tells you something about the availailty of jobs!

I have A levels and a degree; I would suggest a degree is a good idea tho not essential if someone will take you on without it. Certainly a degree in journalism is not something most journalists have - tho maybe it is increasingly what is looked for as people with a journalism degree (not an option when I was a student!) move up the professional ladder and start hiring if that makes sense. Better tho IMHO to get work exp on local paper/college newspaper etc. Agree with clayhanger a blog is a good idea.

A levels - I agree, sociology sounds as weak as media studies; somethign like geog or history might be better. Or yy science or a language.

FWIW my A-levels are in French, German and ancient Greek (ooooh no English there!) and my degree is in German and Philosophy . Despite my current situation I did make a good living at print journalism for many years.

Hi Fellatio,

Just emailed dh this link as he is in journalism and this was his response; hope it's of some use :)

She is right. Media studies really only ok if he wants to try out media production to see if he likes it, has no bearing on entry to journalism course at degree level. There is probably more value in doing traditional / substantive subjects.

He needs to get involved with student newspaper / website / radio - whatever the school has. Set up a blog and write about serious things that interests him. Develop a profile online.

Doing a degree in journalism has value, but only really if you do something that provides you with a wide range of skills - i.e. academic study of journalism, plus practical reporting skills and online / multimedia journalism. Otherwise, she is right, many successful journalists do a traditional degree - english, politics, economics, science or similar - then a postgrad qualification (such as NCTJ for print journos) or a conversion MA that contains those elements. The thinking being that you then have an opportunity to become a specialist in a subject (read: have understanding of and passion about something to write about), as well as a good journalist.

Might want to point out that journalism is an incredibly difficult place to get work at the moment, so he needs to differentiate himself!

sorry that was long!

Another vote against media studies here, whether for A-level or degree.

If he wants to get into any kind of serious (ie proper news) journalism, a decent degree will be essential, so A-levels should as far as possible be traditional academic subjects - if he is bright and hard working enough to manage them. Philosophy and sociology are OK degree subjects, not so highly regarded as A-levels.

And given the fairly high chance that he may change his mind about careers between the ages of 15 and 21, it's best to choose subjects that give the widest possible options.

As for getting into journalism, I think the key these days is to start writing and trying to get published as much and as soon as possible - college/university newspapers, websites etc - and when he's a bit older, trying to get work experience or internships at magazines or newspapers.

I have a nephew, also yr11, who wants to get into music journalism. He has been blogging about music for about a year, and though that has recently been invited to review CDs and gigs for a professionally-run music website. Now he's had a few things published there, he's trying magazines (NME etc) and other websites to get stuff published or get a week or two's work experience, and then will build on that. But first he's planning on four academic A-levels (English lit, maths and languages I think) and a degree in something also reasonably rigorous.

I think it's a hard slog to get into journalism these days, with the expectation that you will do a lot of unpaid work before you start getting paid for anything.

Oh and to add to exexpat's final par - even when you do get paid, it won't be much!

At my old newspaper (the daily paid-for of a small city - part of a big newspaper group) I was chatting to an old colleague the other day, she is about 30 and has been a print journalist for about 8 yrs, she regularly works 10-hr days and her salary is about £20k. She has a PhD btw, not that that's essential!

If you become an accountant or a solicitor or a dentist or an ICT bod or an engineer you'll be on a lot more than that with a degree and several years' experience, unless I am very much mistaken.

Journalists do it for the lurrrve, y'see

That's all very useful stuff - thanks all. I will show this to DS. and then suggest he becomes a dentist or an accountant.

Clary - That salary's a bit depressing. DS2 wants to work in newspapers/magazines. He's currently studying History at a Northern Uni, is ed of his college's magazine (they have colleges in his Uni) and has work experience arranged on a national newspaper for the summer. He did A levels in English,History, Latin and Maths.

I think he'd make a great lawyer. If he sees that salary Clary he might change his mind. It's not terrible and would be more in London I guess. But of course I want him to be happy. :)