Media, Print and Publishing - Magazine Journalist
Media, Print and Publishing - Magazine Journalist
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Magazine journalists research and write news articles and features for a wide variety of publications.
- Go to meetings to plan the content of the magazine
- Suggest ideas for articles
- Interview people or research information for articles
- Fact check and proof read articles
- Write articles to suit the magazine's style
- Keep up-to-date with developments and trends in the magazine's subject area
- Work as a critic, reviewing things like films, food or concerts
You could work in an office or from home.
Magazine Journalists tend to work between 37 to 39 hours a week. You could work evenings and weekends. You may also be required to work away from home.
Starting: £18,000
Experienced: £40,000
You can get into this job through a university course, a college course, an apprenticeship, applying directly or specialist journalism courses.
Magazine journalists can come from a wide variety of subject backgrounds. Particularly relevant degree subjects include:
- English
- journalism
- media
Some courses are accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists.
You could take a college course like the Level 3 Certificate in Foundation Journalism.
It will give you some of the skills and knowledge you'll need to go on to do further journalism training. This could be through an apprenticeship or further study.
You can work towards this role through a journalist or a senior journalist higher apprenticeship. Employers will set their own entry requirements. If you have an EHCP you may be able to apply under the DfE exemption which allows the apprentice to use Entry level 3 English and Maths qualifications. The apprentice would have to be component enough to successfully achieve all other aspects of the apprenticeship requirements, become occupationally competent and achieve Entry Level 3 in English and Maths before the end of their apprenticeship.
You could apply directly for jobs, especially if you have knowledge of the specialist area the magazine covers. For example, in healthcare, science or technical subjects.
You would need to build up a network of contacts as many journalist jobs are not advertised.
You can study Level 5 and above professional qualifications in journalism which are accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). Courses are available online or at a college or training centre.