Journalist-turned-lecturer Anna McKane is sharing the secrets of breaking into the industry in her new book - Journalism - A Career Handbook.

The former Birmingham Evening Mail journalist, who now teaches at City University in London, is aiming the title at students and would-be journalists.

In it she gives advice on how to get work experience, how to write a good CV and how to behave in job interviews.

Anna, who is the director of the BA Journalism and Contemporary History programme, said much of the book's contents resulted from her own dealings and experience with students.

She said: "I spend a lot of time with students and their work experience, advising them how to get it and how to have fun.

"There are 15 career profiles explaining how people got to where they are now.

"I have seen so many people not go about it the right way, who have CVs that don't look good, and to get into journalism is really a hassle - you have to drive at it."

Anna has been teaching at City for nine years but began her career at East Midlands Allied Press. She moved on the Birmingham Evening Mail before taking a position with Reuters.

She said: "I started on a local paper with about seven trainees and two qualified reporters. But it's not done like that so much anymore.

"Most students have got to have done four or five months of unpaid work experience now to get jobs."

Anna is now planning her second book which will aim to improve students' news writing skills.

• Journalism – A Career Handbook is published by A&C Black and is priced £12.99, ISBN: 0-7136-6796-6.

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