Job hunting decisions and tips
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How to find publishing and journalism graduate jobs and work experience
Graduate schemes and internships aren’t the only route into journalism and publishing careers. Find out what opportunities are available and the best time of year to submit your application.
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Freelancing could be the answer to media graduate employment dilemmas
While you’re job hunting, freelancing can help you get a foot on the media career ladder. But how do you start pitching content, get noticed, get enough work and ultimately, get paid?
Applications
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Creating a graduate CV and covering letter for media and journalism jobs
Whether you’re applying for a new media job with a website or desperately want that trainee position with a local newspaper, you need to make sure your CV and covering letter are strong enough to sell your writing skills.
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Five things you need to know before your newspaper or magazine publishing interview
Whether you’re interviewing for an editorial position at a local newspaper or a glossy magazine, there are five ways you can prepare to make sure you impress your interviewers.
Internships and placements
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Getting graduate work experience in journalism
Competition is tough for fledgling hacks looking to break into the industry. Here's hoping you like to write, because you’re going to be bashing out a lot of speculative applications and covering letters.
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Getting work experience in the media and publishing industry
Getting some kind of hands-on experience is essential for getting your first job in publishing or media.
Career planning
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Book publishing careers
Careers in design, marketing, sales, contracts and rights and production can all be developed in the publishing world.
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Entry-level posts outside of editorial
There are other important roles in book publishing besides editorial. We explain what each of these involves and how you can begin your publishing career in the area.
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Main types of book publishers
The book publishing industry can be roughly broken down into the following areas, although there is a degree of overlap between some of them.
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Know your editors: a graduate's guide to jobs in the publishing world
A lot of graduates want to work in the world of media and publishing, so you’re going to need to be focused and determined to get your first job.
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Your first graduate job in magazine publishing
For every graduate who lands a plum job in magazine publishing, countless other people’s careers fail to take off. Read on for tips on how to get yourself noticed and your name in print.
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Covering your living costs if you follow an alternative career path
Thinking of starting your own business or entering a career where you’re unlikely to get a full-time, permanent job as a fresh graduate? Get our advice on ways to cover your living costs and take inspiration from our case study of actor Lily Maryon.
Training and qualification
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Masters and postgraduate diplomas in journalism
Get the lowdown about postgraduate courses in journalism. The postgraduate route could help you launch your career as a journalist.
Career essentials
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Careers in theatre
If you thrive on working in a creative environment, then a job in theatre could be the right option for you. There is a wide variety of jobs available and working behind the scenes contributes just as much to a performance as being onstage.
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Six off-screen roles in film, TV and video production
Find out about key behind-the-scenes roles in TV, film and video production, from directing to sound mixing and cinematography.
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How do I get a graduate job in media and publishing?
If you're interested in working in TV, radio, newspapers, theatre, book publishing, online publishing or magazines, read on to find out more about graduate schemes in this creative area.
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Careers in film
Find out about careers available on- and off-set in the film industry, from casting to costume design and makeup.
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Working in video production: graduate perspectives
Three recent graduates give an inside view of what it's like to work in video production and editing.
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How do I get a graduate job in television?
It seems that everyone aspires to a graduate job in television but persistent graduates get their foot in the door by doing work experience schemes and staying positive.
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Careers in arts administration
If you’re looking for a management role with a creative twist, then working in arts administration could be a good option for you.
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How do I get a graduate editorial job?
Editorial roles are a popular choice for a lot of media-savvy graduates. At first glance it looks like a dream job – you’ve got power over content, you get to boss around writers, put in face time with clients and readers and bend copy to your will.
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Careers in art and design
There are many different options to consider when thinking about a career in art and design, whether you aim to become the winner of the next Turner prize, seek to explain art to others or use it to design products.
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I want to work as a video game developer – part 1: can I get a job in games?
Find out what you need to get a job in video game development, with advice from recruiters at two UK game development studios.
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How do I get a graduate photography job?
An eagle eye and an itchy trigger finger are essentials for the budding photographer, but when it comes to employment you need to be a pretty financially secure self-starter in order to make a living.
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What does it take to make it in the music industry?
We've talked to two people with plenty of music industry experience to find four key traits you'll need for a career in music.
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I want to work as a video game developer – part 2: how to get hired
Find out what’s involved in the application process for graduate video game development jobs and how you can give yourself the best chance of standing out.
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How do I get a graduate job in journalism and writing for the web?
As a graduate, it’s important to make the distinction between writing and journalism. As a writer you’re unlikely to be out chasing leads and working stories. Likewise, as a journalist, you’re unlikely to be turning in short fiction or putting the sparkle on product descriptions.
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'I was looking for a job and then I found a job': make your mark on the music industry
Take a look at eight popular music jobs and choose a career path that suits you.
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Careers as a DJ
Here’s what you need to know to kick-start a career as a DJ, whether it be on the radio, in a nightclub or for weddings and parties.
Areas of work
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Bookselling: graduate area of work
Booksellers purchase, organise, manage, and sell books to the public and to specialist customers, such as university students.
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Picture research: graduate area of work
Picture researchers find suitable pictures for use in a wide range of media products including advertisements, books, magazines, newspapers, catalogues or television programmes
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Broadcast presenting: graduate area of work
Broadcast presenters provide the public voice or face to a wide range of broadcast television and radio shows with the purpose of offering entertainment and/or information.
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Press photography: graduate area of work
Press photographers use a variety of photographic equipment to take photographs for use on television or within magazines, journals and other publications.
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Camera operation: graduate area of work
Camera operators physically control camera equipment both in studio and on location for film, television and video broadcasts and recordings.
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Press sub-editing: graduate area of work
Press sub-editors are responsible for overseeing the content, accuracy, layout and design of newspaper and magazine articles and making sure that they are in keeping with 'house style'.
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Information science: graduate area of work
Information officers are responsible for managing the acquisition, supply and distribution of information within an organisation and for making that information accessible to its clients/customers.
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Programme research: graduate area of work
Programme researchers organise, plan and co-ordinate the production of television and radio programmes, and undertake relevant background research.
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Journalism: graduate area of work
Journalists research, write, edit and present news stories, features and articles for use on television and radio or within magazines, journals and newspapers.
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Entry-level editorial roles: graduate area of work
Entry-level roles in an editorial department provide an opportunity to get to know all aspects of the business, supporting more senior editorial staff in the production and publishing of books, magazines and journals.
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Magazine publishing: graduate area of work
Magazine journalists research, write and edit stories, features and articles for use within a variety of media including magazines, journals and corporate publications.
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Entry-level television production: graduate areas of work
If you want to get into TV production, you could start by working as a television production assistant - responsible for providing administrative and organisational support to senior production staff prior to, during and after the production of a programme.
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Features editing: graduate area of work
Magazine features editors are responsible for overseeing the content and quality of magazine publications and for ensuring that features are topical, interesting and informative.
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Translation and interpreting: graduate area of work
Translators convert text written in a foreign language to their mother tongue, or another specified language.
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Advertising copywriting: graduate area of work
Advertising copywriters work closely with other creative (visual) agency staff in the conception and production of the verbal elements of advertising campaigns.
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Writing: graduate area of work
Being an author isn't just about writing novels. A career as a writer can cover a variety of different specialisms: writers produce literary compositions, technical manuals, articles, reports, books and a multitude of other texts.
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Book publishing commissioning: graduate area of work
Commissioning editors are responsible for managing a publishers' book list and signing agreements for new books/publications.
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Online publishing: graduate area of work
Online publishing is a relatively new area, but it is growing in scale all the time.
Job descriptions
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Press photographer: job description
Press photographers use a variety of photographic equipment to take photographs for use on television or within magazines, journals and other publications.
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Graphic designer: job description
Working from agreed design briefs, graphic designers use text and images to communicate information and ideas.
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Press sub-editor: job description
Press sub-editors are journalists or designers responsible for overseeing the content, accuracy, layout and design of newspaper and magazine articles and making sure that they are in keeping with house style.
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Writer: job description
Writers produce literary compositions, articles, reports, books and other texts.
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Programme researcher: job description
Programme researchers organise, plan and coordinate the production of television and radio programmes and undertake relevant background research.
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Illustrator: job description
Illustrators are commissioned to produce still drawings for use in advertisements, books, magazines, packaging, greetings cards and newspapers.
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Multimedia specialists: job description
Multimedia specialists design and create IT-based multimedia products such as websites, DVDs, and computer games that combine text with sounds, pictures, graphics, video-clips, virtual reality and digital animation.
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Camera operator: job description
Camera operators physically control camera equipment both in studio and on location for film, television and video broadcasts and recordings.
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Journalist: job description
Journalists research, write, edit, proofread and file news stories, features and articles. Their pieces are used on television and radio or within magazines, journals and newspapers, in print and online.
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Photographer: job description
Photographers use a variety of photographic equipment to capture events, people, objects or scenes for records, art or commercial use.
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Commissioning editor: job description
Commissioning editors are responsible for managing publishers’ book lists and signing agreements for new publications.
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Magazine features editor: job description
Magazine features editors oversee the content and quality of magazine publications and ensure that features are topical, interesting and informative.
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Picture researcher: job description
Picture researchers find suitable pictures for use in a wide range of media products including advertisements, books, magazines, newspapers, catalogues and television programmes.
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Editorial assistant: job description
Editorial assistants support editorial staff in the production and publishing of journals, magazines, books and digital products.
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Magazine journalist: job description
Magazine journalists research, write and edit stories, features and articles for use within a variety of media including magazines, journals and corporate publications.
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Broadcasting presenter: job description
Broadcasting presenters provide a public voice or face to a range of shows broadcast on TV, radio and the internet.
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Animator: job description
Animators are artists who use sequential images of drawings, puppets and models to produce films for commercials, computer games, music videos and websites.
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Television production assistant: job description
Television production assistants are responsible for providing administrative and organisational support to senior production staff prior to, during and after production of a programme.
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Archivist: job description
Archivists are responsible for the provision, care and management of permanent collections of information that are intended to preserve the past and allow others to discover it.
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TV/film/theatre set designer: job description
Set designers are responsible for creating sets for use in the production of films, television programmes, plays and musicals.
Entrepreneurship
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Covering your living costs if you follow an alternative career path
Thinking of starting your own business or entering a career where you’re unlikely to get a full-time, permanent job as a fresh graduate? Get our advice on ways to cover your living costs and take inspiration from our case study of actor Lily Maryon.