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July 2008 News

Self-defence for kids

Ukemi, Tai-otoshi and Kesa-gatame are fast-becoming nursery school buzzwords. They are not the latest Pokemon characters (that’s been and gone!), but martial arts moves. Toddlers are being taught the ancient art of judo at centres all over the country. Parents

Big Green Switch wins campaigning website award

Northcliffe sister site aims to help people live a greener lifestyle

Journalists' union in restructuring plan

NUJ looks to reorganise to itself for 21st century needs

Interns

Contact your local university to see if any students from your patch are doing interesting or unusual jobs (or in glamorous locations) while they are working as interns.

How small businesses recruit

What pitfalls do small businesses face when recruiting? What stories do local businesses in your area have to tell? Because a lot of companies still hire through word-of-mouth recommendation or “gut instinct” they could be lining up a lot of

Journalism students in McCann scoop

Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell doorstepped as he left lecture

Agency boss helps reporters lift the lid on council spending

Four-week council audits provide rich source of news

Newspaper's rugby club appeal raises £50k in two weeks

But ‘remarkable achievement’ may still not be enough to save Coventry RFC

Newspaper's drugs raid footage 'highly intrusive'

Evening News rapped by PCC over coverage of police drugs operation

Local press 'Party in the Bay' story grabs worldwide media attention

Eagle-eyed Herald Express reporter spots story on Facebook and generates headlines Down Under

New online network for journalists and the PR industry

Social networking website aims to boost communication and help hacks pinpoint relevant stories

Disappointed journalism graduates offered financial lifeline

NCTJ extends grants deadline for shortlisted candidates on Mirror’s cancelled journalism training scheme

Northcliffe chief named as new Newspaper Society president

Michael Pelosi takes over NS hot seat from Russell Whitehair

Journalism trainees invited to rate their course

Next generation of journalists given a voice on new training website run by press sub-editor

Pampered pooches

Do you miss your beloved pet when you’re away on holiday? A handful of boarding kennels have set up internet webcams so that owners can check their precious pup is OK while they are away. With just one click they

Safe summer sex

Confidential advice services are gearing up ready to concentrate on safe summer sex for people going on holiday. Their motto is that people should come home with happy memories, not worry or illness. And they say people should pack condoms

Tips on choosing a journalism course

Emma Clark, former marketing and communications manager for the National Council for the Training of Journalists, offers her advice on choosing between journalism courses.
Recently I've attended numerous careers fairs around the country, meeting students of all ages keen to break into journalism - whether that be in newspapers, television, radio or magazines. And of course, all students want to know which journalism course they should go on and whether they need NCTJ qualifications.

A quick look at the trainee job ads on HTFP demonstrates the importance of gaining the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism. Many adverts require candidates to have, or be awaiting results for, their NCTJ Diploma.

Trying to break into the industry without it makes a tough task almost impossible. With the rise in tuition fees, choosing the right journalism course is even more important than ever and students need to be sure they are learning the vocational skills required by employers, enabling them to hit the ground running when they enter the newsroom.

Employers know that an NCTJ-trained applicant will be able to find and construct stories, understand media law and ethics and be able to take down an accurate shorthand note when required. And contrary to popular belief it is not just the regional press looking for these skills, but nationals, online and broadcast too. Recent Sky Sports News schemes, for example, have been looking for practical skills including a minimum of 100wpm shorthand.

Student journalists can complete their NCTJ training in a number of ways - FE colleges and independent centres offer the Diploma in Journalism as fast-track and academic year courses, while universities offer it as part of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. All of these journalism courses lead to the same NCTJ qualifications and meet the same standard, allowing students to pick the one that's best for them.

It's no secret that the NCTJ has an exacting standard, and this applies not just to the qualifications but also to the course provider. All NCTJ-accredited courses have to work incredibly hard to meet the requirements in the same way that students have to work incredibly hard to achieve the gold standard. This ensures the NCTJ logo acts as a meaningful kitemark for quality journalism training.