Journalism and Writing
This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into journalism and writing careers, including the field of technical authorship.
What is Journalism and Writing?
Journalists seek out news and bring it to the public as quickly as possible. They aim to present stories in a clear, engaging style. Long and unpredictable hours are common in Journalism
It is often considered that most good journalists have curious and inquisitive minds, and it's beneficial to have a good general knowledge, be empathetic, patient and understand what will make a good news story. You can find some colourful definitions of what it takes to be a journalist. But, in general, the most important and perhaps the most valuable are your communications skills. (BJTC)
Technical authors communicate technical messages to a specific audience at levels the user can fully understand. This involves interpreting the technology then designing and writing documentation. The information is often presented through an instruction manual, leaflet, CD-rom or online help. Other media may also be used, for example, video, PowerPoint or presentations (source - Prospects).
Prospects
Prospects is a graduate careers website with profiles on the following jobs, which are available at www.prospects.ac.uk
Broadcast Journalist
Magazine Journalist
Newspaper Journalist
Writer
Technical author
Prospects also produce a guide to the Publishing industry.
www.prospects.ac.uk/links/PublishingSB
Targetjobs
Targetjobs is a graduate careers website with the following job sector information.
Media and publishing
How do I get into it?
Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC)
Advice and accredited courses in broadcast journalism
www.bjtc.org.uk
Hold the Front Page
www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/training/colleges/collegeindex.shtml
National Council for the Training of Journalists
Online courses for journalists.
www.nctj.com
Hearst Magazines UK
Publishers of well known titles such as Cosmopolitan. Their graduate scheme accepts applications year-roud.
www.hearst.co.uk/magazines/Graduate-Scheme
National Union of Journalists
Information on the NUJ's training courses.
www.nujtraining.org.uk
National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ)
There is a careers section detailing different aspects of journalism and how to get into it; newspaper, magazine, photography. There are also information sheets to download.
www.nctj.com/careers
The following offer training in technical authorship:
Institute of Scientific and Technical Communication
Includes a page on Technical Communications training providers.
www.istc.org.uk/Training/
City and Guilds
College of Technical Authorship
Medical Communications
See also 'Resources' for a pdf guide to getting started in medical communications
http://www.medcommsnetworking.co.uk
Brighton Journalist Works
Get a professional journalism qualification, work experience on your CV and a portfolio of published stories – all of which will give you access to job opportunities (including some unadvertised) with newspapers, magazines, online, TV and radio as well as PR, advertising and marketing.
Where can I find vacancies and employers?
Artyfacts
University of Brighton newsletter for arts and architecture students. Email careers@brighton.ac.uk for subscription details.
BBC Academy
Editorial Jobs1
Advertises vacancies nationwide. Part of the One Job Group.
Freelancers.net
Maintains open databases of Internet freelancers, freelance jobs and projects
www.freelancers.net
Hold the Front Page
www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/jobs/_jobs.shtml
Media Network
Specialises in editorial recruitment for print and web publishing
www.tmn.co.uk
Media Guardian
Advertising; Marketing and PR; Broadcast; Press and Publishing; New Media news, reports and jobs
media.guardian.co.uk
Aquent
A specilalist recruitment consultancy for the creative, media,design and media sales industries.
www.aquent.co.uk
Worldwide Freelance
Society of Editors and Proofreaders
Online directory provides contact information and brief details of the skills, subjects and services offered by around 600 of the Society's members
www.sfep.org.uk
Sports Journalists' Association
This page offers advice and potential contacts at national newspapers, magazines and in television and radio for work experience for Sports Journalists.
www.sportsjournalists.co.uk/training.php?content=work
For more information on local, national, graduate scheme and other vacancies see our information on looking for work.
Further information and useful links
Guardian/Observer visit report - 18 October 2010 (pdf)
On 18 October 2010 the Careers Centre paid a visit to the Guardian/Observer offices in Kings Cross, London. Read our report here.
Association of Authors Agents
The Association is a voluntary body to provide a forum for member agencies to discuss industry matters, to uphold a code of good practice, and to provide a vehicle for representing the interests of agents and authors.
www.agentsassoc.co.uk
Association of British Science Writers
You will find a careers section on this website.
www.absw.org.uk
Archant
Archant is a community media company active in the fields of newspaper and magazine publishing, contract printing and internet communications.
www.archant.co.uk
Associated Press
BBC Writers Room
BBC writersroom identifies and champions new writing talent and diversity across BBC Drama, Entertainment and Children's programmes.
www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/
Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ)
Independent Television News Ltd (ITN)
See the HR section for information on how to work for ITN.
www.itn.co.uk
Journalism.co.uk
Online resource for journalism including jobs, freelancing advice and a comprehensive links directory to journalism websites
www.journalism.co.uk
Johnston Press
Major publisher of quality local newspapers and local internet sites
www.johnstonpress.co.uk
Media UK
Independent media directory for the UK. Listing websites, addresses, telephone numbers, programme schedules, live links and more for all areas of the online media
www.mediauk.com
National Association of Writers in Education
The National Association of Writers in Education (NAWE) is the one organization supporting the development of creative writing of all genres and in all educational and community settings throughout the UK.
www.nawe.co.uk
National Union of Journalists
Campaigns for and represents journalists in all media offering awards, accredited courses, freelance & copyright news etc.
www.nuj.org.uk
National Association of Press Agencies
National Literacy Trust
Independent charity dedicated to building a literate nation.
www.literacytrust.org.uk
Newspaper Society
Local and regional news
www.newspapersoc.org.uk
Northcliffe Press
Comprehensive publishing service to business and organisations across the UK and Eire
www.thenorthcliffepress.co.uk
The Press Association
National news agency of the UK and Ireland
www.pa.press.net/index.php
Reuters Limited
News agency, careers information can be found here as can details of graduate opportunities
www.reuters.com and http://careers.thomsonreuters.com
Society of Authors
Sports Journalists' Association
The SJA is an association for British-based professional sports journalists, whether writers or photographers, editors or broadcasters.
www.sportsjournalists.co.uk/index.php
United Press International
UPI employs a talented team of journalists and maintains a global network of correspondents to cover major stories around the world
www.upi.com
Women in Publishing
Works to promote the status of women working in publishing and related trades by helping them to develop their careers
www.wipub.org.uk
Writers Guild of Great Britain
The Writers' Guild is a trade union for writers working in television, radio, film, theatre, books and multimedia.
www.writersguild.org.uk
NewsLink
Links to newspapers around the world
newslink.org
Agence France Presse
Links to news agencies around the world
www.afp.com/english/home
Institute of Internal Communication
British Standards Institute
European Medical Writers' Association
EMWA supports medical writers and editors through training etc. This site includes a list of training opportunities and a discussion board.
www.emwa.org
Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators
The career development section contains articles of professional interest. Also produce a e-newsletter for information on the sector.
www.istc.org.uk
Society for Technical Communication