Job role research:

Journalism
Sean Spencer
Progression Routes
There is a handful of progression routes that you can take in order to get into
Journalism, and it really doesn’t matter which one you do. A lot of people in
Journalism have taken different paths such as some going of to University to get a
bachelor's degree, some are freelance and do it on their own backs and build up a
portfolio. There are also some people who have contacts to try and get work
experience in Journalism, this is a common one that is known because you are doing
up-paid work, however you are gaining the experience and knowledge for when you
apply for a full-time job, and also letting you get contacts within the industry so
you have an head start on everyone else for articles.
The national average salary of a journalist is £24,986 per year. Many early-career journalists can find they earn a salary below this
amount as they build relevant experience and develop their skills. Positions as senior writers, managers and project lead usually
exceed this amount and salaries tend to increase with the size and renown of the company. Your salary as a journalist can either be
stable in full-time roles or dynamic in freelance roles. As a result, the average figure can also vary since it does not necessarily include
freelance work or side-projects. Tips for careers in journalism. A career in journalism makes use of a specialised skill set and can be
quite demanding when working on different kinds of projects. Here, we give some general tips for careers in journalism: Read widely.
To write successfully in a way that is familiar to readers and suits your client or company's style requirements, a wide knowledge of
writing styles is helpful. Read a wide range of published articles in a range of different genres so that you can write to suit different
briefs and apply for as many varied opportunities as possible. Learn correct formatting. Journalism often requires obeying particular
formats for different types of news very closely due to printing and publishing limitations. Make sure you are completely aware of the
formats your client requires and write within these formats diligently to help cut down on editing time and inconvenience.

Find convenient and varied writing spots. Especially with breaking news, finding a place to sit and write an article as quickly as
possible can be instrumental in winning the race to breaking the news first. Take note of different coffee shops, pubs and libraries with
Wi-Fi access around you both to find emergency writing spots and comfortable places to write every day. Make yourself available at
peak times. In terms of hours, days, weeks and seasons, there are always peak times for the publication of news and new stories
occur 24/7. Being available to cover a story as far as possible can help you take advantage of time-limited opportunities and cover
major stories for your employer. Be prepared for long hours and working nights. Some journalists, especially freelancers, find that they
work long hours and nights either to meet deadlines or to work in different time zones for international clients. Make sure you can work
at whatever time is necessary and cultivate good working habits so that you can work these hours and stay healthy.

Analyse sources critically and thoroughly. Good journalism includes having excellent investigative work and source criticism to avoid
misinformation and create engaging content. No matter what field you write for, ensure that you take extensive notes on all evidence
you come across and engage with this evidence critically. Be open to different fields and subjects. The competition in journalism
means that an ability to work in a number of different areas helps to maximise your chances of recruitment, especially early on in your
career. Stay open to opportunities with magazines, websites, TV, radio and topics that aren't necessarily your preference to build initial
experience so that you can be selective later.
Colleges offer journalism degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. A journalism career typically requires
at least a bachelor's degree. For example, reporters, broadcast news analysts, editors, and writers all typically
hold bachelor's degrees. Professionals can advance their careers through work experience or a graduate degree.
A master's in journalism, for example, helps journalists stand out on the job market and pursue roles as executive
editors and news anchors. In addition to a journalism career, graduates can also pursue opportunities in public
relations, publishing, and advertising. Journalism degrees can also prepare graduates for careers as copywriters,
public relations specialists, technical writers, and social media planners.

Journalism majors strengthen their writing, critical thinking, and analytical skills while studying mass media,
communications, and news reporting. During a journalism degree, undergraduates take courses in broadcast
journalism, public relations, and mass media law. They also complete general education requirements. Many
colleges offer bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (BS) degrees in journalism. Both programs offer strong
training in journalism, though they differ in their general education requirements. BA students often take foreign
language and additional humanities courses, while BS students complete more math and science coursework, like
statistics.
University courses for journalism
There is a wide range of universities that you could visit but the most popular one that
people go to in England is UcLan in Lancashire. Their Journalism courses are the best in
England, according to the Guardian University Guide 2022, which placed UCLan number one in
the country. Sports Journalism scored 100% for overall satisfaction and academic support in
the 2020 National Student Survey and 94% in 2021.

Two second years are paid £19,500 a year to work with an international sporting graphics
company. You could spend an all-expenses paid fortnight in the press office at Chelsea FC.
They offer placements to all at football clubs, sporting organisations and in television,
radio and print newsrooms across the UK. The whole point of the course is to get you a good
job afterwards.

You’ll work in state-of-the-art TV and radio studios exclusive to journalism students. You
will take part in industry-standard news days; producing shows, podcasts, digital videos
and bulletins.
Here is a video on Sports Journalism at UcLan
Key points of the video
On the video that we see in the previous slide of the UcLan Sport Journalism course,
we can see a very detailed YouTube video where it is advertising and highlighting
the most important points about the University, and saying why they should go. The
main person of the video is Peter Stevenson who is a lecturer at UcLan and is also
working at Sky Sports. There was also a tour of the campus, with also a short
presentation on what you will be studying on the course and what you will be
learning in the different years whilst you will be studying there. They all mention
all of the work placements that you will be given such as Chelsea media officer and
Preston North End in football, then if you take an interest in Rugby League,
Warrington Wolves also do this to give everyone a taste of what they can do.
How to become a sports journalist
When you’re a Sport Journalist, you never know what to expect from one day due to
the ever-changing nature of the job. It is very challenging and demanding which
means it is ideal for people who work best under pressure. You often gain the
opportunity to meet new people, from all walks of life, that you would not normally
have got to meet. You get to work in an industry that is your passion, you get to
write and have your name printed next to articles. The wage at the start of your
career will be very low (£13,000-£15,000). You will have to work long and unsociable
hours, which can include holidays, i.e. Christmas and Easter. But it will change to
around £24,000 a year as you progress into the job. You need to have good creativity
skills so you know how to come up with new content for the fans to enjoy, and also
have a well balanced written and verbal skills.
Journalism requires strong language skills, it's important to have a solid foundation in relevant languages.
Completing a high school education equips you with an excellent grasp of English, which is the main language
journalists use today. While in high school, try to improve computer skills such as fast typing, editing, sending
emails, internet research and photo editing. You can also join relevant clubs to help you improve your confidence
and writing and interviewing skills.

The second step is to research the journalism industry. You can do this by using online resources. If you have a
journalist friend, you can interview them to learn about various aspects of this career. In your research, you can
investigate the different types of journalism, common tools of the trade, news-gathering tactics and ethical
standards. You can use your newfound knowledge to analyse how media outlets present their news and become a
critic to sharpen your skills.

Starting a blog is an excellent way to put your journalism skills to work. Just select a topic, research it, write an
entry and publish it. Share your stories on your social media platforms and ask your contacts to do the same. This
allows you to expand your reach and raise your profile in your niche. You can use a collection of publications as
part of your portfolio, which is important when applying for jobs and showing your capabilities.

With a portfolio ready, you can now apply for jobs. You can send solicited and unsolicited applications to media
outlets and online news platforms. Some publications require journalists to pitch their story ideas. Consider taking
part in these call-outs to increase your chances of getting regular jobs.
Why Journalists Make the Best Blog Writers
When journalists write blogs, they create better content. They know that to make a
piece of writing relevant, they need to find a different angle on the topic and hook
their audience. Challenging what is already out in the blogosphere starts with a
different perspective that gets us thinking. Journalistic blog writers excel at
taking a unique angle or perspective and using facts, statistics, and stories to
support their arguments. If your company has a unique perspective or opinion, they
can leverage that journalistic style to showcase it.

Too often, when marketers write blogs, the content easily falls into a sales pitch,
or dare I say it, a bad infomercial. Adding journalists (especially ones trained
also in marketing) to your writing mix prevents this. Journalists know how to create
trustworthy, relevant content because their goals are different. They're trying to
create a story rather than rehashing old information or pushing a cheesy sales
pitch. They'll ask the right questions to get the most valuable information from
both internal and external experts in the field building credibility and trust with
your audience.
In 2017, Pepsi fell into negative PR after the release of a commercial
starring Kendall Jenner, which depicted Kendall breaking from a group of
protesters to hand a Pepsi to a police officer. Pepsi had been trying to
create an ad that would speak to their target audience, but instead, they
achieved the opposite and had inadvertently offended them. Just one day after
the video released, digital content engagement mentioning Pepsi increased
366%, but 31% called the advertisement “tone-deaf,” and 10% labeled it “the
worst ever,” according to data from Amobee Brand Intelligence.

So what can marketers learn from Pepsi as it relates to blogging? When you
work for a company, frequently, you are drinking the Kool-Aid — or in this
case, the Pepsi — and sometimes miss the mark on perception because you are
too deep in the bubble. Too often, when companies think about their branding,
they don’t pay enough attention to their tone and the public sentiment,
aspects of writing that journalists keep front and center. This is where
journalistic blog writers can really make a big and newsworthy impact.

They can help your company define that tone of voice, or how you sound in your
content so when you remove the label of your brand, people still know it’s you
because of how it sounds. Why? Because they have experience creating content
that is impactful and prominent.
Jobs currently available in sports journalism

These are just some of the jobs

that are available in England.
With the main one being a
reporter for Blackburn Rovers who
will have a lot of people
applying for it. Both are also
full time jobs that will make it
harder to get, so getting all the
qualifications is crucial.
Quote from Dan Jenkins about sports Journalism
This has helped me to
understand what the type of
things I need to be doing in
order to be a successful
journalist, and that I should
be digging into the main people
to get the correct information
for the fans. Also, it says
keeping a confidence and that
you should not shy away from
the big people at the club
because of their job status,
fans and employers will like
it.
SIX REASONS TO BECOME A SPORTS JOURNALIST
MAKE A LIVING WATCHING SPORTS

There are many reasons you should become a sports journalist, but one of the best is that it can be
an excellent way to make a living. Many people come to this field hoping to escape from the 9-5
grind and make their passion into their livelihood. They start working on making their dream a
reality and start by getting certified. If you cannot remain jobless while learning about the
field, you can get your sports journalism degree online. Online courses will give you much-needed
flexibility. You will achieve your dream without losing your single income source.

A JOB WITH TRAVELING OPPORTUNITIES

Sports journalism allows you to travel and see the world while still getting paid. If you’re a
sports journalist, traveling is part of the job. You might have to travel across town to cover an
event or across the country to interview an athlete, but whatever it takes for your story, you’ll
be doing it. And if that’s not enough for you, there’s also international sports news if you want
something a little farther away from home! While some jobs require constant travel due to work
demands—like doctors on call or pilots who fly daily—this isn’t entirely true with sports
journalists. It’s possible that some weeks could include more days spent traveling than at home in
front of your computer writing; however, most weeks will likely involve regular hours in front of a
said computer writing about whatever topic interests you most at the time!
A PLACE ON THE FIELD

Being on the field is one of the most significant benefits of being a sports
journalist. That’s right: You get to be where it’s happening. You can go to games
early and meet players, coaches, and trainers—and they’ll remember you because
you’ve been there before. After the game, you don’t have to wait outside in line
with everyone else, hoping for an interview or autograph. Instead, just send a text
message or email and set up an appointment ahead of time so they know what they’re
getting into when they see your face again.

ACCESS TO PLAYERS AND COACHES

You’ll get to meet and talk to players, coaches, and other people in the sports
industry. Not only will this allow you to ask questions and learn from these
professionals, but it will also let you discover what makes them tick. Some players
may be shy or quiet, while others are more outgoing. These differences can help you
better understand how each person approaches their job. Meeting players and coaches
also allow you to learn about the team itself.
To work in an industry you love

If you’re a sports enthusiast, sports journalism allows you to study and work in an
industry you love. Working in an area you enjoy makes you feel more motivated,
productive, and motivated. Doing something you love gives you meaning and purpose,
positively impacting your well-being and overall health. It makes you want to keep
learning and improving, which sets you on the correct path to success. Enjoying your
profession is essential because your passion for sports makes it easier to overcome
the challenges that come with it. You can become a dynamic, forward-thinking sports
journalist with a sport journalism degree.

To travel

As a sports journalist, you travel for work, allowing you to see the world and get
paid because traveling is part of the job. You may have to travel from one town to
another or across your country, covering sporting events or interviewing athletes
and other sportsmen and women. You can venture into international sports news if you
want to go farther away from your home country. While you may spend most days
traveling, others will be spent in front of a computer researching and writing about
interesting sporting topics.