NCTJ Accreditation
I went to the University of Lincoln for my Journalism degree, however it is not NCTJ accredited. At the time we thought it would gain accreditation during our time there, however this was not the case and now 3 years later a group of us are leaving without it.
How important do you think accreditation is for a journalist? Would you employ a newly qualified journalist who was not accredited?
I have applied for jobs as a trainee journalist which request applicants hold the NCTJ accreditation. I have still applied for them as I feel, despite not having shorthand (and we will get on to that later) I am a good journalist and I have the necessary skills to do the job well, even better than some accredited journalists I am sure. I have not heard back from most of them.
I am mostly applying for jobs as a features writer or food writer as this is where my passion for writing lies, but why should I be stopped from doing news journalism, which I enjoy, just because of 4 letters missing from my degree? Surely a 3 year degree, 1 maxed out credit card, 1 blown overdraft and a huge student loan to pay off shows my enthusiasm and dedicated towards the profession.
I have heard of students lying on their CV’s that they are accredited just so they can get in the front door, but surely this is just encouraging unethical journalists? Apprentice winner Lee McQueen lied on his CV and look where that got him…. Oh wait probably not a good example.
I have read McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists; I have sat exams on law and public administration as well as human rights. But does that matter?
Shorthand
I have not taken any shorthand lessons as at my university they were charged as an extra on top of the tuition fees and held in the evenings, when I was working for minimal wage in order to pay my rent.
There is always a big debate on whether or not journalists need shorthand anymore, some say there is a great need for it if you are covering court stories and recording devices are not allowed to be used. However what about other journalists who don’t cover court? Sure you could be half way through an interview when your recorder packs up, so carry 2. Have extra batteries and always check it is working before you leave the house.
I do intend on learning shorthand, but I will be teaching myself using the Teeline course. Surely though if this is such an essential it should be a genuine unit in all journalism courses, not an after thought?
Work Experience
I undertook 2 weeks work experience at News International back in 2000, I think it was. I also started and edited a magazine whilst at university. However I have never had the financial stability to be able to say “Ok I won’t have a summer job, instead I will go and do unpaid work experience in London for a few weeks” I would have loved to have done some work experience at newspapers and magazines, but like a lot of my friends found myself unable to afford to do so.
Should work experience be a built in part of the course, where you are given prior notice that in February 2009 you will have 2 weeks off university to do solely work experience? I know someone will claim “you do get notice, it’s called the Easter holidays” but this is time I know I can work and earn money. Time during semester dedicated to work experience, I would have used to get experience… and because I knew it was coming, I could have saved from the previous job enough to afford travel and such.
So does a lack of official work experience make a good journalist any less employable now? Like dozens of recently graduated journalists, I fear it does.
I am really interested to hear what others think about this and whether or not accreditation, shorthand and work experience are as necessary as some think.
Some interesting links:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2001/sep/03/mondaymediasection.choosingadegree
http://srh.typepad.com/blog/2007/09/nctj-justifies-.html
