Have you always had a gift for story-telling Or maybe you simply love writing Does your inquiring nature mean you re always first to find out news and make you passionate about discovering all things new Perhaps you simply love language, are fascinated with words, or possess great communication skills
Journalism is a demanding career which requires hard work and dedication but it pays off you get the chance to demonstrate your creative flair, make a difference to the lives of others, attract a wide audience, and you get to see, learn and explore things for a living! People are interested in learning about current affairs, reading stories about real lives, and discovering secrets, and it is journalists who provide this information often in a way that touches peoples lives. It is not a conventional job where you are stuck behind the desk in the office all day everyday, you can be out on the go meeting people from all walks of life and finding a story to tell. It is diverse, exciting and challenging work that can really make a difference to the lives of others.
If this is the kind of work that makes your heart flutter with excitement then you could be an ideal candidate for a career in journalism or media, so read on to plan your first step into this industry.
Those wishing to break into the world of media and journalism will benefit greatly from getting some recognised qualifications under their belts. The Dublin Business School offers a part-time BA (Hons) degree in Journalism that requires attendance in classroom-based tutorials on 2 evenings per week for a period of between 4 and 8 years.
Applicants under the age of 23 must have the minimum Leaving Certificate requirements (2 honours in higher level papers and passes at ordinary level). Mature students over the age of 23 will be assessed on the basis of age, work experience and past education. Graduates will have a level of education and skills that will prepare them for employment in journalism, media and a variety of others areas.
There are also many e-Learning courses available for those who would prefer to gain a qualification in Journalism from the comfort of their own home. Kilroy s College, for example, offers a distance learning Diploma in Freelance Journalism. With no prerequisites for the course, this is an ideal starting point for someone seeking a career in Journalism.
There are also a wealth of other media-related degree and diploma courses offered across the country and via distance learning from Film Studies to Creative Writing. Limerick Senior College, for example, offers a 16-week evening course in Radio Programme Production which grants the graduate a FETAC certificate in Radio Broadcasting. Galway Business School runs a 6-week programme granting the graduate a Diploma in Advertising and Cork Institute of Technology offers an evening course class for a Diploma in Public Relations.
