Help on Journalism courses or just what I should do?

Question

I'm getting really agrivated with people telling me what I should do as a career in life, they all say if you like to write storys then you should do a Journalism course. Yes I do like writing storys and want to work hard to become a novelist, yeah I've looked at some websites but I don't really know whether to just spend the money and do them, all I know is I can't stand working at shops now and need to have some type of career. I've applied to go on a media course, but I need to do that and then a publications course and then find a journalism course!! But do I even wanna be a journalist. I'm not political I don't really read the news papers. I just like writing fiction really, but everyone keeps saying I should go on a journalism course. Do you think its worth me going on one? Don't tell me to listen to my heart because all it says is be an author, which I want to be, but it won't help with my future savings. Also I got bad GCSE results but some people say it don't matter.

Answer 1

Wow. Quite a ramble. So hang in there, pal, all is not lost.

If nothing else, a journalism course or two will help you express yourself better. That's not a bad idea in any business. You have to learn in writing how to get to the point and move on quickly. It's also an introduction to the business.

Writing fiction is an extremely difficult way to make a living. Zillions try it, and only a few succeed. Better to do it on the side at first and see if you have success before making the plunge. I have a few friends who have written novels, and they all have other work to get the bills paid.

Answer 2

If I were you, I would do an English degree.  You could do a BA in English or maybe a joint honours degree in English and another subject of interest, e.g. Economics, History, or even Business Studies.  

I've been doing a lot of research into Open Uni and I notice that in their English degree you can do a module in Creative Writing!

Don't worry too much about your GCSE results; just make sure that your A-level results are good enough to get you into your chosen course.

Answer 3

Journalism has its ups and downs.  It's interesting to learn about how to write for different mediums (e.g. TV, radio, magazines, newspapers) and if you're a good writer - there's a good chance you'll succeed in your classes.  But, with that comes the competition of breaking into the news world - which is veryyyy veryyyyy hard, unless you know someone.  I went to a GREAT school with an excellent journalism program and the BEST job I could get (even though I had a broadcast focus) is a reporting position at a weekly newspaper, which doesn't pay enough for the basic costs of living and is forcing me to find a new job.  You are better off taking English classes that have a creative writing focus and work from there.  Hope this helps!  Good luck!  And, just remember - whatever you decide WILL ultimately work out in the end!

Answer 4

Being an author and being a journalist aren't necessarily the same thing, and many authors who eventually get their big break have spent years doing something completely unrelated to keep the money coming in.

It's very much a matter of opinion but I wouldn't recommend pursuing a career in journalism just because you want to be an author one day - speaking as a reporter, I would say that it's a full-time skilled vocation that you have to enjoy for its own sake. So if the idea of being a journalist doesn't appeal to you then I would look for something else and use your spare time to work on ideas. But then again, I'm just one person, maybe have a word with your school careers advisor?

It's good that you've got a dream though; keep following it.

Answer 5

Hello again... I on the other hand havent got a clue at all about what i want to be i dropped out of college this year because i couldnt stand the courses, this year however i am anxious about because i still dont know what i want to do although i am really interested in art.

I understand what you say but worry about it, just try courses and if you dont like them go back in the next year and do some other course, i did biology, chemistry and business but in september i hope to media, photography and english literature because i feel that if i take these i will be improving my writing knowledge and will help me in the way of writing stories.  I would also like to be an author so im taking the practicle route and becoming a photo-journalist.  This will help me learn new styles of writing and discipline my attitude to meet dealines etc which all would extremely useful when i write... i understand what you say, and i dont think that it's right to put too much emphasism on what you want to as after all your still young, im taking courses and if the dont work out i go back and change courses or i leave and start new in september [i have to stop doing this soon because im 19 next year lol - i'm 17 now though ]  =D

If you want to be an author then English Literature may be a course you may want to do...[if your startign college in september]

Answer 6

don't take journalism. You will kill yourself.