To convince an editor you are worth appointing you will need to be able to demonstrate the following: an interest in current affairs at all levels
How do I get into the newspaper industry?
Trainees come into the industry by a variety of routes. Some are recruited directly by regional or local newspapers and carry out their basic training under the terms of a training contract. This is known as direct entry. Within this category are those who may have secured employment with a newspaper company or a group of companies who run their own training programmes.
However, most trainees are recruited after attending full time vocational training courses for post A-level students and graduates. Such courses are generally held at colleges accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). Some of these courses are for graduates only. This route is known as Pre-entry.
Direct Entry
If you have been recruited into the industry from school or university, you will be regarded as a direct entrant. Most companies will expect you to enter into a two-year training contract during which time you will receive basic training. The first six months of employment is likely to be a probationary period during which you will be able to decide whether you have got what it takes to become a successful journalist. Most companies will register you with the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and provide you with a distance learning foundation course to study.
After approximately six months you should ideally attend a block release or day release course at college, during which time you will sit the NCTJ’s preliminary series of examinations. Following a further period of employment, you will have the opportunity to prove that you are competent to obtain the NCTJ’s National Certificate or a National (Scottish) Vocational Qualification at Level 4.
Trainees recruited by in-company training schemes will undertake their off-the-job training at their company training centres. The NCTJ currently accredits one in-company training scheme: Midland News Association (contact Mr Brian Mason on 01902 742126). Training will be directed to the achievement of professional standards and to the attainment of a competence-based qualification.
Modern Apprenticeships
An alternative form of direct entry is the Modern Apprenticeship programme. This scheme enables employees of participating companies to undertake relevant training leading to an NVQ level 4 in Newspaper Journalism; Writing; News & Features.
A number of publishers participate in this scheme with their local Training & Enterprise Councils (TECs). Entry is open to anyone between the ages of 16 and 23 years (graduates included). You must have completed the programme by your 24th birthday. The most likely age range is from 18 to 22 years.
Mature Entrants
Each year the industry receives many career enquiries from mature people. Some editors like to employ these people because of their considerable local knowledge and their settled life style.
Over the age of 30, training is a matter for arrangement by the editor.
How to get a place
Advice to applicants
Some colleges will only grant places to people on pre-entry courses if they have already been on a brief work experience placement at a newspaper. You should write to a number of local newspaper editors, explain why you think you would make a good reporter and ask if they will allow you to join their team for a few days. Try to pick a time other than June or July, when pressure on work experience places is at its greatest.
You should try to be the applicant for a journalist position who stands out as the most committed to newspaper journalism and the most able. Do not be put off if you receive some rejection letters. Editors appreciate and respect determination and persistence.
Whether you opt for the direct entry route or apply for a training course, you should be aware that those who study newspapers carefully and show a knowledge of the industry will have an advantage.
How to get a place
Send for a detailed application form to NCTJ Training Ltd, The New Granary, Station Road, Newport, Saffron Walden, CB11 3PL, enclosing 9X4 stamped addressed envelope. Suitable applicants are required to take a written test, and if successful, will be invited to attend a selection interview at the college of their choice.
Fast-track courses are run at various colleges – see separate leaflet for details.
Paying for a full-time college course (other than degree courses)
A few local educational authorities may award grants to meet part of the cost. Early enquiries should be made to local authorities, because grants are extremely limited. Before applying for a full-time course in newspaper journalism it is essential that candidates establish the financial situation. Contact the college direct for course fees etc.
Course designation
If an approach is made to the local authority for a grant, they will wish to know the full designation of the course, which is: Full-time professional pre-entry course for newspaper journalism, DES registration number 355-P600 on course list 209. It is an “advanced” course within the terms of the Further Education Regulations 1975. Applications for grants for post-graduate courses should be made to the appropriate local authority. Career Development Loans may also be available. Contact your local careers office or job centre.
Access courses
The NCTJ approves and supports a number of access courses. Contact colleges direct for full details.
Anyone who successfully completes such a course is given access to the selection procedure for the NCTJ pre-entry course even if they lack the qualifications required.
What qualifications do I need?
The entry requirement for newspaper journalism is a minimum of five GCSE passes (grades A-C) or equivalent – one of these must be in English. However, in recent years it has become rare for a trainee to come into the industry at this level. Currently more than half the recruits are university graduates and the others have achieved at least two A-levels or equivalent. Most colleges however still require two A-levels.
Equivalents
A Foundation GNVQ will have parity to 4/5 GCSEs (grades D-G); an Intermediate GNVQ will have parity to 4/5 GCSEs (grades A-C); an Advanced GNVQ will have parity to two A-levels and a BTEC “National” award is equivalent to two A-levels. There have been occasions when individuals who have shown exceptional talent but have not achieved the minimum academic qualifications have been granted a waiver. However, this is unusual.
What do I have
to study?
Currently, training courses lead to a variety of qualifications. All NCTJ courses cover those aspects of law, public affairs and newspaper journalism necessary to enable a journalist to perform competently by the end of the training period. As well as demonstrating competence in these and other practical areas, trainees are expected to achieve 100 wpm shorthand.
What about press photography?
Photo-journalism, as the term implies, is a journalism-based course with photography as its foundation. Tutors will help you develop natural news sense in tune with an ability to use a camera and ancillary equipment to the best advantage; there is also a comprehensive reporter module.
The press photography course contains all the above elements without the reporter’s module.
The qualities you need to be accepted on the NCTJ course and to be a photojournalist/press photographer are energy, drive, commitment, single-mindedness, personality and an enquiring mind which can look at the obvious and see something different – or better – by way of a “news line” and picture. If you are successful in obtaining a place at Sheffield College, Norton Centre, you will undergo intensive practical and theoretical training to prepare you for your career.
Qualifications required for direct entry are four GCSEs (A-C) including English. For pre-entry an additional A-level is required.
In most companies, the NCTJ’s National Certificate in Press Photography/Photojournalism, or an N(S)VQ will be available after a successful period of employment. Modern Apprenticeships are also available to cover press photography.
Information courtesy of National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ)
Comments
Brendan Martin (17/11/2008 17:04:47)
Well, at least you headed the web page: “What qualities do newspaper editors look for?” even if the sell on the email was “How to start out in journalism”.
It never ceases to amaze me how often those in thrall to the NCTJ seem to think there is only form of journalsim: local newspapers.
Magazine journalism seems to looked down upon – despite the fact that magazine journalists earn more than their counterparts on local papers. Mind you, I’ve heard of McDonalds staff who earn more than some trainees of local papers. (And the money in magazines has not escaped the NCTJ, who have in recent years tried to muscle in on that market with their own magazine courses.)
For the benefit of readers, it is worth pointing out that the National Council for the Training of Journalists is a reputable organisation, make no mistake. And their qualification is some testament of quality. But it isn’t essential to have an NCTJ bit of paper to work as a journalist. Neither is it essential to have a Periodicals Training Council (PTC) bit of paper. The PTC are the magazine equivalent of the NCTJ in that they run training courses and accredit others.
Not all magazines are frothy and aimed at the consumer leisure market. Business-to-business (B2B)titles are newspapers in magazine format. They have “districts” (various sectors of the industry they cover). They pay better and they don’t keep new entrants on 18- or 24-month contracts under the guise of “training” when it’s really a way of keeping their wages down.
You also rarely find B2B editors and magazines seniors saying “Aye, lad, I had to suffer when I were a lad on Throxton Bugle, so you have to as well.” But I have actually been in the company provincial journalists who have said just that!
Magazine journalism courses usually teach the full breadth of skills required to be a journalist: shorthand, media law, news reporting, feature-writing, subbing, and page make-up. (No, there is no goverment but it ain’t rocket science to pick yp or learn if you need it.)
Then there’s the travel. The insurance industry (and believe me it may sound a dry subject but once you start digging out those news stories, you’ll love it) has its conferences and symposiums in the Bahamas or Monte Carlo. If you are reporting on the fruit and veg industry you’ll have to travel to South America, Europe, Africa – as one of my ex-students did in his first year on a B2B title.
Foreign travel on the “Hinklebury Gazette” is probably over the hills to the nearby town of Middle Futtock for a cat show.
Recognised courses? Yes, there are plenty. As I said, the PTC accredits them. Not that an unaccredited course – both newspaper and magazine – is useless. It depends on the quality of the tuition, the commitement of the course organisers, and the facilities they provide.
So to anyone wanting to break into journalism, think about the magazine section of the industry too.
brendanmartin.blogspot.com
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