Becoming a Magazine Journalist

Becoming a Magazine Journalist

What will the job involve?

When working as a magazine journalist, some of the things you would be required to do would be things like going to meetings to decide on and discuss ideas for an article. Adding to this, most journalists need to do their own research to find references and information to include in their articles, which would include doing interviews. 

A journalist will also make sure they write articles that suit the theme of the magazine, like writing an article about new trends in fashion for a fashion magazine. 

Plus, a journalist will sometimes have to act as a critic. This means that they will need to write reviews on certain products or events, sometimes as a way of selling something to the reader or sway them away from trying something. 

What requirements are needed? 

Luckily for people who did not realise they wanted to be a journalist until later in life, there aren't actually any set requirements to become a journalist. However, having a degree in media either from a university or a college definitely does help; it can lead to a person getting an apprenticeship or internship with a magazine company. A person will definitely need some sort of knowledge in the field of media, if not experience. internships in media usually are unpaid, but the experience can lead to big and exciting things in the industry. 

How much is the salary?

When a person is just starting out as a journalist, their salary will be around £18,000 to £25,000 per annum. After being promoted or doing better quality work, they could begin earning £35,000 a year. Most highly experienced journalist average about £40,000 a year. 

What are the pros and cons? 

Some cons of working as a magazine journalist are the pay. While it is possible to work your way up to the larger salaries through experience, budding journalists may fall on hard times and begin needing extra jobs and financial support while pursuing their career. Also, the working hours can be extremely long, including working on weekends and holidays. Despite these factors, one of the more extreme problems that come along with being a journalist is backlash and harassment when covering controversial or sensitive issues. Everyone has an opinion about everything, so there will always be a set group of people who dislike what you write. 

Although, there are several positives to becoming a journalist. No one would ever pursue a career in journalism if it was all negative, which clearly shows that the good does outweigh the bad. 

One positive of being a journalist is that you get to meet so many people from different backgrounds and cultures all around the world. Plus, people are usually impressed by the fact that someone has a job in journalism, as they are seen as a person of influence. Journalists also usually get to attend events such as music festivals, gigs, fashion shows, sporting events and award shows for free if they are covering that event. It can also lead to fame, with more people reading your work and gaining regular readers and fans. 

What are the skills needed?

A journalist needs to have exceptional communicating skills and writing skills. They will have to be able to effectively do research on a large range of subjects, in order to have the most well informed and professional articles. To make sure anyone being interviewed feels relaxed and comfortable, a journalist will need to be confident, kind, empathetic and relatable. Approachability is a big factor in this line of work. 

How suitable am I of this type of work? 

I think I am very well suited to doing this type of job. I got excellent results in my english GCSE, and I feel that I am very well spoken, as well as confident and approachable. I have always thoroughly enjoyed writing, so I believe journalism is a job that I could really get into and put a lot of effort into it.
I can demonstrate the skills required throughout the completion of my iMedia course over the span of the next 2 years. I will demonstrate excellent writing skills, practise setting out article pages and choosing appropriate layouts, and give 100% effort in all of my work.
For progression material, I may need to create a portfolio of articles to present to my potential employer. I also might need to design some magazine cover, as well as making sure my CV is bright and creative to show my individual abilities and my personality.

References

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/media-studies - Website about which jobs are available to someone with a media degree. 

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/magazine-journalist - Website that describes what being a magazine journalist involves. 

http://how-to-become-a-journalist.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/pros-and-cons-of-being-journalist.html - Blogpost by a journalist about the pros and cons of journalism. 

https://www.vogue.com/article/zendaya-interview-july-vogue-cover-spider-man-homecoming - Source of the Vogue magazine cover. 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/514254851170342720/ - Source of the Fine Cooking magazine cover. 

http://www.eroscoaching.com/2012/01/why-he-strays-is-he-unhappy-with-you-or-with-the-sex/ - Source of the Health and Beauty magazine cover. 

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/sports-magazine/ - Source of the ESPN magazine cover.