is a degree worth it if you're considering a journalism career?

[goldengoddess]

My daughter is interested in pursuing a career in journalism. Not dead set on going to university, nor has she dismissed it out of hand.

Not likely to get great A level grades - and only doing two anyway - but I know you don't need a degree to become a journalist (though looking at the staff on the Observer/Guardian you would think that a first from oxbridge was obligatory). But I digress.

Do you think it's worth ending up 50k in debt for some second rate degree from a second rate uni? Is it worth spending three years doing a journalism/media studies degree? or would it be better just to try and get an apprenticeship with a media outlet such as the BBC.

Alternatively, would it be better to do a general degree in history, for example, and then do a post grad journalism course?

With no set route into journalism it's hard to help her make the right decision, so if anyone has any advice, I'd be really grateful. Thanks!

Hmmm lots more interesting comments to provide food for thought. Thanks for further feedback, I must admit my heart has slightly sunk as so many seem to think a degree is still a necessity to succeed in journalism. I was under the impression that this had changed over the past few years, and an increasing number of employers were taking on apprentices with A levels.

On the plus side, my daughter is very active on social media, tweeting and retweeting all the articles she writes and has over 5000 followers to date.

I've been looking at lots of universities with her and many seem to offer foundation years to students who don't quite make the grade to go directly onto the undergrad course. So for example she could go to somewhere like Sheffield Hallam and do the foundation year, and then if she passed that sufficiently well, get accepted onto the three year undergrad course. Four years in total, but it would take her at least that long to get another A level, plus 3 years of university study. She seems keener on that option than to do another A level.

Been scouring the Guardian best journalism courses guide which has also been useful. Sheffield (not Hallam). comes out number one, Oxford Brookes second and Cardiff third. Who'd have thought it!!

Hi Piggy, micromanage away!!! And thank you for that link, very useful.

I am finding this completely overwhelming, so much choice and options, and as i said before, with no clear cut path into jourmalism, making it all the more confusing. If only DD wanted to be an accountant or an engineer, where there is huge demand for people and well paid jobs aplenty rather than the competitive journalism world where she'll probably have to work as an unpaid intern on Cage & Aviary Bird News (Real title by the way) for months on end and still be living at home when she's 40!!

Piggy, you're right as well about the points - she will be short of 112 points even if she did manage to get an A and a B her A levels by some miracle, plus the EPQ she would have 108 points, slightly short of the required 112. But as I said before, there is the possibility of the foundation year to consider.

If she’s going to do a foundation year then it needs to be at a uni with a decent NCTJ accredited journalism course. If she can do that, she’s away! I think you’re doing the right thing going down the degree route. If your daughter wants to PM me for further advice on nationals, she can

I would definitely look at Salford. Lots of opportunities on the doorstep! Also they accept general studies A level which is rare. That doesn’t take much teaching!

Thanks Bubbles I'll take a look!

I was thinking Salford, too. Very good links to industry there.

Mates who work in the industry that have been successful haven't got MA's, they were savvy enough to do work experience whilst doing their degrees and know how to properly network.

No, I studied journalism at uni and worked in magazines, then as a sub-editor at a newspaper. If I could go back I would not have gone to uni. Look into NCTJ training (if they still do this) In my experience you're best off training on the job, so I would go to a local newspaper as a trainee, they'll pay for your training and you'll make great contacts AND be starting off so much further down the line experience-wise than if you did three years at uni. You don't have to stay at a local paper but it's brilliant experience.

To echo the posts above. The pay is really, really shit and you have to have a genuine passion for the job (My first job at a monthly glossy meant I worked for free after I deducted travel and living costs, I barely had a spare pound). I remember a lecturer asking our year who still wanted to be a journalist after doing the course and only around 5 people put their hand up.
You've got to focus on making good contacts and be prepared to work really hard. I don't think any course can teach you to be a good writer, you either have it or you don't. Uni's may take credit for their alumni having good jobs but this will be 100% down to the hard graft (and a bit of luck) of the individual.