We know how hard it is to get journalism work experience – especially if you don’t want to spend a week making tea.
So, whether it’s news, sport or fashion journalism work experience you’re interested in – here are a few tips for landing that all-important placement.
- Don’t just email the editor – ring the publication and find out who is in charge of work experience. Get their name and email them directly.
- Be clear and polite. Journalists get a lot of emails and they are easy to ignore. So avoid putting someone in a bad mood and making their life harder.
- Stand out from other applicants by explaining what you can bring to the publication – i.e knowledge of the area and a contacts book.
- Take advantage of anything you are offered. If fashion journalism work experience is what you want but there is only space on the news desk, still take it. Just being in the office is a good way of making contacts, and you might be invited back if you make a good impression.
- Do your research so you know the areas and subjects the publication covers.
- Show an interest in the publication and the stories they have published.
- Send a link to your journalism portfolio to showcase your work.
- Pitch a few story ideas when you are asking for placement.
- Be flexible with dates and times.
You might not find your perfect journalism work experience straight away – but keep persevering and it will be worth it, as there is no better way to learn how to be a journalist than trying it first hand!
Sign up for our free journalism workshops and open days for sixth form and gap year students here.
Sign up for our free events for university students, graduates and career changers here.
Featured image courtesy of Rowan University Publications via Flickr
