Journalism and Writing
This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into journalism and writing careers, including technical authorship and medical communications.
What is Journalism and Writing?
Journalists seek out news and bring it to the public as quickly as possible, hence long and unpredictable hours are common. They aim to present stories in a clear, engaging style.
It is often considered that most good journalists have inquisitive minds and an understanding of what will make a good news story. It's beneficial to have a good general knowledge and be empathetic and patient. You can find some colourful definitions of what it takes to be a journalist, but the most valuable assets you possess are your communication skills.
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 instruction manuals, DVD or online channels. Other media may also be used, for example; PowerPoint or live presentation (source - Prospects).
Prospects
A graduate careers website with profiles on the following jobs;
Broadcast Journalist
Magazine Journalist
Newspaper Journalist
Writer
Technical Author
Prospects also carries an overview of the Publishing industry.
Targetjobs
Targetjobs is a graduate careers website which has an overview of the media and publishing sector.
How do I get into it?
Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC)
Advice and accredited courses in broadcast journalism
Hold the Front Page
A website for and about journalists and journalism students with a particular focus on the UK regional press.
National Council for the Training of Journalists
News and events, short and distance learning courses for journalists.
Hearst Magazines UK
Publishes titles such as Cosmopolitan, Esquire and Netdoctor. Their graduate scheme accepts applications year-round.
National Union of Journalists
Information on the NUJ's training courses.
Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators
Includes a page on technical communications training providers.
College of Technical Authorship
www.coltecha.u-net.com
MedComms Networking
Careers information and industry news on medical communications.
See our 'Resources' section (right) for a pdf guide to getting started in medical communications
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.
BBC Academy
'BBC Academy puts training and development at the heart of the broadcast industry by equipping companies and freelancers with the skills they need for a lifetime of employability in the ever-changing media landscape.'
Freelancers.net
Freelancers.net is UK focused and lists jobs and projects open to UK freelancers, however clients worldwide use the site to source freelancers outside of the UK.
Hold the Front Page
'The home of UK regional journalism jobs'.
The Media Network
London media and editorial recruitment agency specialising in UK journalism and editorial jobs for magazine publishers, online media and publishing agencies.
Media Guardian
Advertising; Marketing and PR; Broadcast; Press and Publishing; New Media news, reports and jobs
Aquent
Recruitment consultancy for the creative, media,design and media sales industries.
Worldwide Freelance
Advice, news and contacts for aspiring and current freelance writers.
Sports Journalists' Association
Details of training courses, awards, work experience and industry contacts.
Thomson Reuters
Career opportunities in strategy, finance, operations, marketing, human resources and other demanding and complex company-wide responsibilities.
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.
Association of British Science Writers
Includes a section on jobs and awards.
Archant
A community media company active in the fields of regional newspaper and magazine publishing, contract printing and internet communications. All its titles serve clearly defined communities, based around locations or interest groups.
Associated Press
One of the largest sources of independent newsgathering,a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.
BBC Writers Room
Identifies and champions new writing talent and diversity across BBC Drama, Entertainment and Children's programmes.
Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ)
Combines the role of professional society with that of a trade union – known as the IoJ(TU). The union protects members’ interests and campaigns for better conditions for working journalists.
Independent Television News Ltd (ITN)
Work experience and career opportunities.
Journalism.co.uk
Including jobs, freelancing advice and a comprehensive links directory to journalism websites
Johnston Press
Major publisher of local newspapers, websites, mobile sites and apps.
Media UK
Websites, addresses, telephone numbers, email and more for all areas of the online media, including 789 radio stations, 513 television channels, 1,587 newspapers, and 1,974 magazines - from 287 media owners.
National Association of Writers in Education
Supporting the development of creative writing of all genres and in all educational and community settings throughout the UK
National Union of Journalists
Campaigns for and represents journalists in all media offering awards, accredited courses, freelance & copyright news etc.
National Association of Press Agencies
NAPA is a self-help body whose main objectives are to further the interests of its members and maintain professional standards of conduct.
National Literacy Trust
A national charity dedicated to raising literacy levels in the UK.
Newspaper Society
The NS represents and promotes the interests of Britain's regional and local media.
Northcliffe Press
Encompassing a portfolio of 113 newspapers across the UK, Central and Eastern Europe.
The Press Association
The UK's leading multimedia news agency and information provider and supplier of business-to-business media services.
Society of Authors
Serving the interests of professional writers. Whatever your specialisation, you are eligible to join as soon as you have been offered a contract.
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
Society of Editors and Proofreaders
UK based organisation for editors and proofreaders – the people who strive to make text accurate and readable.