BY Argita Memia.
Communication. Essential to human life. Without communication, how would we survive, how would we express our need for food, water and comfort? In modern society, our idea of communication has obviously evolved, where now we talk about more cultural issues surrounding our lives, e.g. who to vote for in the coming General Election?
The jobs surrounding Journalism are infinite, regardless of whether you like to write, talk or even both. Careers include, Broadcast Journalist, Magazine Journalist, Writer, or someone who writes Book Reviews. The possibilities are endless for you. The flexibility of what you could do with a Journalism careers presents you with a world of opportunities of what you could do. Literally. A Foreign Correspondent could have you transported to the most beautiful places on the Globe. If you like travelling, then this is the career that will fulfil your ambitions.
Or even if travelling isn’t quite your cup of tea and you prefer to wear your pyjamas, sitting in front of your computer with your cat on your lap then you could become a blogger! Dominic Ponsford, editor for the U K Press Gazette said “All you need is a website, a mobile phone and a twitter handle.” Social Media presents us with the ability to transfer our thoughts to a global stage in a matter of seconds. Within minutes, your tweet, article or video could be viral; highlighting the power that Journalists have to alter the perspectives of their audience.
Furthermore, the easily- adapting nature of young people puts them at an advantage, where the use of multi-media technology in Journalism is expanding at a constant rate. Allowing young people the ability to be open to even more jobs as older journalists perhaps wouldn’t find it as easy to establish themselves in the world of social-media.
Journalism is possibly one of the most exciting jobs out there, if you are a naturally inquisitive person then Journalism allows you to explore new intellectual terrain every day. Suzanne Franks, Professor of Journalism at City University says “you go to all sorts of exciting places, talk to so many interesting people”. Daunting as it sounds to be introducing yourself to new people on a daily basis, these skills are developed through the study of Journalism. As a result, Journalism gives you the ability to grow as a person in terms of your character and your ability to perceive. “You have got to be a flexible, adaptable character”, this aspect is paramount in the field of journalism, as this job is not for people who are not willing to explore their views and opinions.
The money earned within Journalism varies massively depending on what career path you go down. For example, a Broadcast Journalist’s starting salary is £15,000 to £20,000. But again, this changes based on whether you choose to become a local or a national broadcaster. Whereas, if you decide to become a Newspaper Journalist, and achieve a decade’s worth of experience, then lucky you! You’ll then earn about £35,000 to £40,000.
So why do people our own age decide to become journalists? Joe McCarthy, A Level Student believes “that Journalism is amazing due to the way that you shape someone’s opinion”, and this opinion is echoed in Charlie Pittock’s opinion where “Journalism allows me to research my love of Sport and gives me the ability to write about my passion”. There is no set reason why to become a Journalist, but “if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon” Tom Stoppard.
Journalism for dummies 