Gaining experience
Journalism and publishing
Gaining Experience
Securing your first job within journalism and publishing can be tough – more people want to work in the business than there are jobs available and entry level jobs are rarely advertised. Employers, keen to attract the brightest talent, can therefore afford to look for people who have some practical experience as well as relevant qualifications and genuine enthusiasm.
Getting relevant experience is essential. Many employers recruit through internships, placement programmes, or work experience programmes. Overall, additional experience will boost your employment prospects by helping to build a network of contacts. Most of your graduate competition will have degree-related work experience.
Types of opportunities
Below are some examples of the different types of opportunities to gain experience while you study.
Internships are usually for a fixed period and give you more hands-on experience. Many employers will treat interns in the same way as full-time employees, so when future job roles ask for 'at least one year's experience' you can include an internship in this type of experience.
A small number of large publishing companies offer summer internships, which may lead to a graduate position for successful recruits.
Other book publishing companies offer work experience/internship-type opportunities, it is a good idea to research individual companies to identify these; some examples of larger publishers offering these opportunities include:
Learn more about completing internships
Placements are a great way to gain substantial experience, help you to build contacts and gain an understanding of an organisation.
On some degrees, work placements are part of the programme, whilst on others you can choose to complete a placement as one of your modules.
To learn more about completing a placement, you can contact the Placements team in the Careers and Employability Service.
Enhance your prospects with hands-on experience through volunteering. Whether you're uncertain about your career path or aiming for professional success, volunteering offers a chance to explore diverse roles.
You can also get involved in relevant university projects through the different groups and societies via the Student Union. This is a good way of demonstrating your motivation and interest in this area of work.
Our Volunteering Bank provides local opportunities to undertake alongside your studies, listing roles such as:
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Digital News Assistant Volunteer with Portsmouth City Council
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Online Reviewer Volunteer with Together in the UK
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Content and Copywriter Volunteer with Toucan Diversity Training
Create your own experience
In this sector, you could always 'create your own' work experience, by writing a blog, or contributing to university publications such as the Spyglass Magazine.
Producing your own blog will demonstrate your writing and editing skills as well as digital skills that are key in this sector. Just remember, whatever you are doing online, keep it up to date and professional - you want to ensure you are presenting yourself to the outside world, as you would wish to be seen.
Joining a local writers' group may help you to develop your writing skills. New Writing South is an active group and offers events, courses and the opportunity to mix with writers and to share writing.
News Associates, an NCTJ accredited journalism school, run free journalism workshops that focus on gaining some practical task-based experience in a newsroom setting. You can register on their site which also provides careers advice, resources and information on their own courses.
Where to find work experience opportunities
There are plenty of ways to find work experience in Journalism and Publishing. Some key online platforms include:
Speculative applications
Speculative applications involve sending a CV and cover letter to an employer to ask if they have any vacancies, even if the company is not currently advertising for a role. They're a great way to access "hidden jobs" that go unadvertised.
Submitting a speculative application shows your interest in a specific company and your willingness to go above and beyond to develop your skills and understanding of the industry.
Learn how to send a speculative application
Explore the Journalism & Publishing Career Guide
Journalism and publishing career guide
Your guide to building a career in journalism and publishing.
Getting started in journalism and publishing
Take the first steps to researching a career in journalism and publishing.
Finding a job in journalism and publishing
Explore the different ways to gain employment in journalism and publishing after you graduate.
