Recession-Proof Journalism?

Last week I was invited to speak at Cardiff University to the journo grads in the classroom I only graduated from just under two years ago.

After finishing my undergrad degree in History and Politics at Nottingham University, I studied at Cardiff University for nine months on the postgraduate magazine journalism course.

I was so frustrated and determined to get a job the whole way through, that now I have one and freelance regularly, I vowed to always help anyone on the way up.

So although going back and talking to 30 people, only a couple of years younger than myself, was quite a daunting prospect – I knew I had a lot to say and felt compelled to do so – give something back as it were. (However cheesy and contrived that sounds – but it’s true).

To be honest, I was greeted with an enthusiastic but an understandably anxious group of grads, all about to try and get a job in one of the most competitive sectors during one of the worst recession in modern times. And being good journos in making – they were acutely aware of this fact. Probably didn’t also help that the latest batch of Media Weeks I was holding, all carried big headlines announcing the swathes of severe redundancies by media owners across press, TV and radio over recent weeks.

Despite all that – I was determined to offer a message of realistic hope. I offered 12 handy hints but really I think the most pertinent piece of advice was to network, network, network. Most of the conventional routes are now shut with recruitment freezes in place across most media companies. In addition journo grads should be doing writing-related jobs like copyrighting, to earn their keep while writing for free for nationals. It may not be the most auspicious start but you need to keep afloat while getting decent brands onto the old CV.

12 handy hints:

1. Always send a good looking print version of your work as well as an electronic version to potential employers. And go beyond the call of order. Send something memorable like a podcast of an article and ensure you send a photograph of yourself so they can remember you. (A professional one mind).
2. Look out for all grad schemes on newspapers. One of the surest bets in hard times like these and if you have missed the boat this time round, tailor your work experience and freelance to that publication in the coming year to make your entry as strong as possible next time round.
3. Exploit work experience placements for all they are worth. Introduce yourself to as many people as possible– on the other magazines as well – so you can keep as much connection with the company as possible. Have initiative and get in early. Do anything that is thrown your way – no matter how demeaning. It’s your attitude they will remember.
4. Attend media lectures and events as a freelance media hack. Gigs like POLIS and Westminster Forums are good one to seek out. All the hacks and media owners will be there, making it a fertile networking space.
5. Obvious but necessary – keep up with all media news sites like Media Week. Press Gazette and Media Guardian. They will run stories on departures, cuts and new opportunities – which should acts as signposts for vacancies. Sign up to all email bulletins.
6. Engage with as much social media as possible. Twitter and blogs – keep it all going as it’s the best example of your work, style and interests. Link to all your favourite journalists and try to engage with them on the topics of the day.
7. Create a separate blog with all your work on it. The electronic portfolio is the way forward.
8. Gorkana offers key moves and contacts. If someone is covering for someone else, it is likely they will be stretched – so you could get in touch and offer a helping hand? Also keep a record of all contacts that come up on the alerts and make a separate word document to save them in.
9. Email journalists about their articles. Start a rapport with your favourite hacks about their work. Build this relationship so you can later cash in on it by asking for contacts for freelancing etc. Don’t go in hard about yourself. No one likes desperation.
10. Be organised about pitching. Find out copy deadlines and get yourself a USP for each title you approach. Being a specialist or offering something niche is getting increasingly valuable.
11. Don’t get into subbing or production if you don’t want to do it. They are good skills but the jump to editorial is a harder one than you think.
12. Accept all work at the beginning. Never be too proud and remember, you will sometimes need to write some rubbish to earn a living in order to buy you the time you need to write the stuff you really want.