Journalism Student Survey

1. How has the current media climate affected your career plans?

Response Response
Percent Count

It has encouraged me to enter

9.1% 13
journalism

It has not put me off entering

51.0% 73
journalism

It has made me think twice about

29.4% 42
entering journalism

It has put me off entering

6.3% 9
journalism

I'm not aware of any changes that

4.2% 6
would affect my career plans

Why? 86

answered question 143

skipped question 1

Why?
1 Thankfully, I'm not entering the job market just yet. Ask me again this time May 11, 2009 7:00 AM
next year! I still think it's horses for courses - I'm doing all I can to make myself
employable and more employable than others.
2 Someone's got to hold politicians' feet to the fire. May 11, 2009 7:08 AM
3 It's made me at least think about what my backup plan would be. I know what May 11, 2009 7:23 AM
skills I could apply in other industries.
4 real life situtations e.g. news days, finding stories May 11, 2009 12:12 PM
5 Has made me realize the importance of online journalism and the importance May 11, 2009 12:43 PM
of having an online presence. Also it has made me think that I may not go
straight into a magazine writing job.
6 The job I had envisioned at the start of my college career exists less and less. May 11, 2009 12:51 PM
7 However, I really don't think there will be any jobs out there when I finish the May 11, 2009 1:06 PM
course.
8 I'm giving blogging a WHOLE lot more attention than I'd imagined even a year May 11, 2009 2:18 PM
ago. I'm spending much more time trying to figure out what story needs to be
told and how best to tell it, and less time trying to learn traditional newspaper
writing.
9 As above May 11, 2009 2:51 PM
10 chances of getting a job has decreased and too much emphasis put on May 11, 2009 2:52 PM
specific writing styles and not enough freedom
11 In the present climate, there will be changes in all jobs, not just to those in the May 11, 2009 3:05 PM
media. Although I'm not keen on online journalism, there is still the market for
print media.
12 because I still feel there is a role for journalists as passers of information and May 11, 2009 3:12 PM
writers.

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 Why?
13 Economic reasons - there just aren't as many jobs going around. May 11, 2009 3:12 PM
14 My aim is to work as a magazine journalist and believe that with hard work May 11, 2009 3:14 PM
and some luck this is possible.
15 Chance of a safe job at the end of this course is unlikely and I can make more May 11, 2009 3:15 PM
money elsewhere
16 It is harder to get a job in this field because of the economy etc May 11, 2009 3:17 PM
17 However, I recognize the growing importance of online media and multimedia May 11, 2009 3:28 PM
for success.
18 Because I love journalism too much. May 11, 2009 3:45 PM
19 I will not be entering an environment of traditional journalism, I will be May 11, 2009 5:02 PM
innovating new ways to do journalism. Innovation usually leads to success
therefore I'm only slightly worried about my future!
20 I would like to say that it's an exciting time to enter journalism, but the state of May 11, 2009 5:28 PM
the industry scares me a bit too much to go that far. That said, I do think some
interesting changes will be happening in the coming months, years and
decades, and I hope that those of us starting our careers now will be the ones
best placed to make the most of them.
21 Because I feel that by the time I graduate the economy will be in a much May 11, 2009 6:15 PM
better position than it is now. I also feel that people will always want to read
newspapers and magazines.
22 I realise that times are hard for the media industry at the moment, as they May 11, 2009 6:15 PM
have been for many years, but I am confident that there will always be a place
for a hardworking journalist, and I feel that my work will only be improved by
knowing that there is a large amount of competition out there.
23 I feel as though I will be accredited enough to get a job, regardless of the dire May 11, 2009 6:17 PM
economy in America.
24 I am considering jobs and internships which a year ago I would not have May 11, 2009 6:32 PM
dreamed of doing. PR has, worryingly, become something I'd consider.
25 Because there are no jobs, & freelancing isn't secure enough if you have rent May 11, 2009 6:39 PM
to pay!
26 It has put me off entering corporate journalism - both for economic reasons as May 11, 2009 6:43 PM
well as editorial freedom -, but not the practice itself.
27 Obviously the newspaper industry's in trouble because of falling sales and May 11, 2009 7:10 PM
advertising revenue and recently I have been thinking about different careers.
But like I said before, I've wanted to be a journalist for several years now.
Quite frankly, going in to another occupation wouldn't seem right.
28 It's hard to get jobs everywhere not just in the media. There's also going to be May 11, 2009 8:39 PM
an element that is over-hyped. Plus I want to work in magazines and they
seem (at the moment) to have a bit more of a future than say regional papers.
Obviously it depends on the publication, but there's a bit more hope to be had
in the magazine camp I think at the moment.
29 Because I can't see myself doing anything else. Even if job opportunities were May 11, 2009 8:53 PM
slimmer than ever I would still be trying to get my foot in the door one way or
another.
30 It hasn't put me off, but it's certainly made me despair at times. This time last May 11, 2009 8:59 PM
year I had a job at a magazine, and I did the course to enable me to get a
reporting job at a national. It's not going to work out that way now, and I'm
looking at any job at any media organisation as a potential.
31 I am a little worried about finding a steady job in journalism. May 11, 2009 9:35 PM
32 We have many guest speakers and discuss news often. The conversations May 11, 2009 10:51 PM
generally drift towards the reminder that finding a job at a newspaper is not
probable right now.
33 Technology will always be there, so it's a case of adapting your skills to suit all May 11, 2009 11:05 PM
media types and not limit yourself to one form of medium. That way you will
be more employable to advance with the times.
34 Fucking those lower down on the ladder by closing all grad schemes. good May 11, 2009 11:14 PM
one.

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 Why?
35 It has made me worried about getting a job, but I think there are still great May 12, 2009 1:43 AM
opportunities and a great need for journalism.
36 Low job prospects May 12, 2009 8:16 AM
37 Low job prospects May 12, 2009 8:16 AM
38 It is what i always wanted to do May 12, 2009 8:19 AM
39 Because I'm a good journalist May 12, 2009 8:20 AM
40 Not enough jobs May 12, 2009 8:20 AM
41 It doesn't really bother me. It is not going to stop me doing what I want to do. May 12, 2009 8:21 AM
42 I have a passion and I'll stick to it, I don't take notice of media climate May 12, 2009 10:52 AM
changes.
43 Lack of jobs in an already competitive environment May 12, 2009 10:52 AM
44 It is still a job I am keen to do, and I am prepared to work harder to get my foot May 12, 2009 10:52 AM
on the ladder.
45 media is really interesting May 12, 2009 10:53 AM
46 Because I always think there will be a demand for journalism, it's just the ways May 12, 2009 10:53 AM
in which people access news that are changing.
47 It seems as though it is getting tougher to get a job but this has not put me off May 12, 2009 10:53 AM
my plans.
48 It has encouaraged me because magazine writing was brilliant but I would still May 12, 2009 10:57 AM
like to pursue screen writing.
49 Although still enthusiastic about finding a career in journalism, it is an May 12, 2009 10:58 AM
incredibly competitive career to make a name for yourself in.
50 The closure of local papers across the country has made jobs at entry level May 12, 2009 11:24 AM
increasingly rare and so I am unsure of the possibility of gaining suitable
employment, especially as I feel less committed to the search than others.
51 I plan to teach english abroad and establish work as a freelance FC to May 12, 2009 3:14 PM
enhance my chance of getting a job as a staff writer at a national paper.
52 Because it is a great profession still. I am not encouraged as a journalist does May 12, 2009 4:52 PM
not have much in terms of power of say in their own work, you are massively
subordinate when it comes to your own writing.
53 Whilst the current climate of the media means there are less jobs, I still want May 12, 2009 5:30 PM
to do a job I love.
54 As above. It is very discouraging to see so many cuts in the journalism May 13, 2009 8:17 AM
industry.
55 Less jobs available. May 13, 2009 2:38 PM
56 I have technical skills on the camera so I am capable of that side of the job May 13, 2009 4:24 PM
57 because there will always be the need for news, no matter what format it is May 14, 2009 5:27 PM
presented in.
58 See above, I would love to be a journalist but am playing it safe and doing May 14, 2009 5:43 PM
something more secure in the next two years (it will also give me something to
fall back on during the next recession!)
59 as previously stated, lack of job prospects is a worry. May 14, 2009 5:54 PM
60 It seems to be a lot of people in high places who say 'don't do it!', but they May 14, 2009 5:55 PM
have to retire eventually. And someone has to replace them. And I think quite
a lot of it is naval gazing anyway. The media reports that the media is dying
because they have easy access to the info. I think people are actually bored of
hearing middle class jounros complaining so they stop buying the papers!!
61 I've been looking into other areas like PR as back ups in case I can't find a May 14, 2009 6:12 PM
journalism job
62 It is very competitive May 14, 2009 6:39 PM
63 I still want togo into journalism but I think I may do something else for a year May 14, 2009 6:53 PM
or so until it's maybe a better time. Or I may travel and then apply for jobs
again next year.
64 It doesn't look good but it is what I want to do. It just means I'll be up against May 14, 2009 7:01 PM
more competition.

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 Why?
65 There may be other jobs that are maore easier to get in to May 14, 2009 7:08 PM
66 It wasn't known for being a well paid job before the financial crisis. May 14, 2009 7:50 PM
67 Though it is a challenge to get into journalism, i find the industry fasinating and May 14, 2009 8:43 PM
would love to be involved in it.
68 So I can prove that I have the skills and talent to succeed despite falling May 14, 2009 8:59 PM
circulation figures and the sparseness of jobs.
69 Personally I think people will always want news so the demand for journalists May 14, 2009 9:19 PM
will never go away. And I care little for money.
70 I have always wanted to be a journalist and whilst I understand it may be May 14, 2009 10:02 PM
harder to get started in the current job climate I am determined to succeed.
71 I had already decided by year 2 that journalism was not for me. May 14, 2009 10:05 PM
72 The current media climate fascinates me. May 14, 2009 11:42 PM
The constant buzz and new wave of citizen journalism, as well as the endless
opportunities in terms of communication (audio, video, blogs, online, print..).
73 I hate Murdoch. May 15, 2009 9:08 AM
74 Job losses, financial difficulties May 15, 2009 10:09 AM
75 It is getting very competitive, but you've just got to embrace it. May 15, 2009 11:48 AM
76 Concerned that there will be no jobs by the time I graduate May 15, 2009 2:29 PM
77 While worrying, I believe that the economy will improve and more jobs will May 15, 2009 4:43 PM
become available, so I have not been put off.
78 By the time I graduate, the job market is likely to be opening up once again. May 16, 2009 1:20 PM
79 I am not willing to move out of Yorkshire and there is nothing suitable in this May 16, 2009 3:30 PM
area at the moment
80 Although this is perhaps as much an exciting time as a worrying time to be May 16, 2009 3:57 PM
trying to go into the media, the current climate has had an impact on my
thinking. I've realised I'll need to think more widely, and I'm aware that I've
done various other things beyond journalism that, the more I move away from
it, perhaps the more relevant they become.
When you hear about jobs cuts, redundancies, cutbacks, closures and the
rest, this is certainly going to have an impact on yoru career plans, perhaps for
all but the most determined. I'm determined, but know I need to look at the
media with a pretty wide-angle lense.
81 The traditional Print Press may be in a state of flux at present but like all May 16, 2009 4:34 PM
periods of change there will be developments and an eventual settlement.
82 I believe that there should have been a weeding-out of students in j-school May 19, 2009 12:12 AM
and that only the really dedicated ones should continue.
83 There are still great newspapers but reading cynics like Nick Davies makes it May 19, 2009 10:31 AM
look like a corrupt profession, especially when I see newsrooms where
reporters no longer leave their desks. On the other hand, it's a changing field
and that is exciting.
84 because of job cuts in news associations and publications. also because of Jun 3, 2009 6:18 PM
print circulation going even lower
85 Because today's media is becoming more multiplicate. Jun 16, 2009 2:10 AM
86 Unemployment rate Jun 19, 2009 7:56 AM

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