Career advice

[Perm]

Just a general thread, but I'd like to make use of it first up.

As some of you will be aware, I'm a Journalism student, currently halfway through the first year of a 3 year course. By the time I'm finished (end of 2010, I'll be 20) and I want to be able to have a proper journalism job at the start of 2011, hopefully in NZ because I have aspirations to attend the RWC final. I know Volty is a journalist, and I think a few others have dabbled in it, so I'd be interested to hear what your thoughts are on my current situation. Basically I just want to write about cricket and rugby, they are the two main passions in my life I could make a living from, and I've decided that I need to take this whole thing a bit more seriously.

 

[GIMH]

Yeah, stop giving people who don't party at Uni stick and get your head down

 

[Perm]

Yeah, stop giving people who don't party at Uni stick and get your head down

Indeed.

Not really worried about my course, but tbf I probably should be. Marks from last semester weren't flash. More concerned with getting a foot in the door somewhere, so I can actually do what I love.

 

[sledger]

Write to a paper/magazine asking for a work experience placement. You won't get paid anything, but it would look good on your CV and you could make some useful contacts.

 

[Beleg]

try getting work experience in the relevent field. don't be an arsehole to people. make contacts, keep contacts.

edit: or what seldger says.

 

[pasag]

Follow your dreams. You can reach your goals, I'm living proof...Beefcake, BEEFCAKE!

 

[GIMH]

 

[Woodster]

My search fir the ideal career is a touch broader, and basically involves anything to with cricket! I'm about to do my ECB coaching course, which, if successful, will hopefully improve my chances of gaining some form of job in cricket coaching or development down the line. And likewise am working very hard in trying to secure any kind of role in cricket journalism as a career. It isn't easy but I'm determined to get there somehow!!

Many people have advised not to specialise in only one or two sports (in your case, cricket and rugby), but be willing to throw yourself into anything. But cricket is the only sport I have such a passion for.

You will at least have a journalistic qualification at the end of it which should certainly help in achieving some form of journalism job.

 

[Langeveldt]

Doesn't matter what field you are in, it's not what you know, it's who you know/blow

 

[Woodster]

Doesn't matter what field you are in, it's not what you know, it's who you know/blow

Quite true!
And if you don't know anybody, how do you make such contacts ?

 

[1-9-7-7]

Just a general thread, but I'd like to make use of it first up.

As some of you will be aware, I'm a Journalism student, currently halfway through the first year of a 3 year course. By the time I'm finished (end of 2010, I'll be 20) and I want to be able to have a proper journalism job at the start of 2011, hopefully in NZ because I have aspirations to attend the RWC final. I know Volty is a journalist, and I think a few others have dabbled in it, so I'd be interested to hear what your thoughts are on my current situation. Basically I just want to write about cricket and rugby, they are the two main passions in my life I could make a living from, and I've decided that I need to take this whole thing a bit more seriously.

What does your course involve?
Thinking of taking up a similar course next year.

 

[Kweek]

come over to holland, play rugby, go to uni and get drunk/stoned whatever with me....top idea imho

 

[Smudge]

You've got my advice off the forum already, but as I think I've said in the past, you can't expect to waltz into a rugby/cricket job at a metropolitan paper straight out of journo school, unless you're a brilliant student (and the first half of this year hasn't helped you, I'd imagine). That said, by 2011, if you can get into a job in a smaller paper, you will lob into the rugby round no doubt, and there will be plenty of opportunities to cover Rugby World Cup games.

However, if you end up at a smaller paper, I'd imagine your chances of getting a press box spot for the final are slim at best.

EDIT: And for God's sake, make your mind up - on another thread you're talking about going over to the UK to play rugby? How on earth do you think you're going to get through your course in time to get a job if you swan off to the UK for a year?

 

[Natman20]

Just a general thread, but I'd like to make use of it first up.

As some of you will be aware, I'm a Journalism student, currently halfway through the first year of a 3 year course. By the time I'm finished (end of 2010, I'll be 20) and I want to be able to have a proper journalism job at the start of 2011, hopefully in NZ because I have aspirations to attend the RWC final. I know Volty is a journalist, and I think a few others have dabbled in it, so I'd be interested to hear what your thoughts are on my current situation. Basically I just want to write about cricket and rugby, they are the two main passions in my life I could make a living from, and I've decided that I need to take this whole thing a bit more seriously.

Where abouts are you studying? I have done some journalism this year being my second year of study and I can say that it seems pretty intense but fun if you enjoy it. Not my cup of tea but may be yours. We need some more decent sport reporters especially for cricket so yeah.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

EDIT: And for God's sake, make your mind up - on another thread you're talking about going over to the UK to play rugby? How on earth do you think you're going to get through your course in time to get a job if you swan off to the UK for a year?

Calm down, Grandpa.

 

[howardj]

Just a general thread, but I'd like to make use of it first up.

As some of you will be aware, I'm a Journalism student, currently halfway through the first year of a 3 year course. By the time I'm finished (end of 2010, I'll be 20) and I want to be able to have a proper journalism job at the start of 2011, hopefully in NZ because I have aspirations to attend the RWC final. I know Volty is a journalist, and I think a few others have dabbled in it, so I'd be interested to hear what your thoughts are on my current situation. Basically I just want to write about cricket and rugby, they are the two main passions in my life I could make a living from, and I've decided that I need to take this whole thing a bit more seriously.

You need something to distinguish yourself from the thousands of other journalism students who want to write about rugby and cricket (who doesn't!) rather than stolen bicycles and footpath upgrades. The only way to distinguish yourself as a uni student, is through exceptional grades or exceptional work experience. A job like the one you desire will not fall into your lap.

 

[Smudge]

Calm down, Grandpa.

****s like you would have been shot back in my day.

 

[Perm]

Doesn't matter what field you are in, it's not what you know, it's who you know/blow

Quite true!
And if you don't know anybody, how do you make such contacts ?

From my short experience it hasn't actually been that hard to make contacts. I know Voltman through CW, and he has been a massive help, while two of my head tutors have been pretty good journalists. Daryl Holden was also one of my tutors for a while, a guy who has done print, radio and television journalism to a high standard. I had to interview the Sports Editor for the local paper as part of an assessment, and I got into contact with Rugby Southland through one of my tutors.

 

[Perm]

What does your course involve?
Thinking of taking up a similar course next year.

First year papers for my course involve the following

NZ Society
Communications
Text Processing
Computer Literacy
Language & Grammar
Introduction to News Principles
Introduction to Broadcasting
Corporate Communications
Research
Media Culture

 

[Perm]

come over to holland, play rugby, go to uni and get drunk/stoned whatever with me....top idea imho

Haha, would be pretty gun tbh. Am trying to cut back on the weed tho, been getting out of hand lately. But I suppose it would be a fair bit cheaper over there.