Journalism Student Survey

1. Since you began your course, have your career plans changed?

Response Response
Percent Count

I am keener than ever to go into

29.9% 43
journalism

I still want to go into journalism 41.7% 60

I am no longer sure about going into

21.5% 31
journalism

I don't want to go into journalism 6.9% 10

Why? 91

answered question 144

skipped question 0

Why?
1 Greater opportunities for innovative thinking. Fast-developing new methods of May 11, 2009 7:00 AM
storytelling.
2 It is vital to our republic for someone to do it. That person is me. May 11, 2009 7:08 AM
3 I still want to stay in journalism, though I have broadened my idea of what I May 11, 2009 7:23 AM
can do in the field.
4 its a career i can see myself doing in the future, made me look at sport May 11, 2009 12:12 PM
differently.
5 Most of the issues that exist today existed before I intended university and has May 11, 2009 12:43 PM
just encouraged me more.
6 It's a calling. May 11, 2009 12:51 PM
7 The new entrepreneurial spirit in journalism is exciting, and I don't have to May 11, 2009 2:18 PM
support myself, which gives me a lot of leeway.
8 Because is very interesting course and I always wanted to follow this career. May 11, 2009 2:48 PM
9 because I write my own magazine. I wanted to get a qualification and learn to May 11, 2009 2:51 PM
write in a journalistic way.
10 the job has always been appealing but the type of journalism i am planning May 11, 2009 2:52 PM
has changed
11 I don't think I would want to go into news journalism as it seems very May 11, 2009 3:05 PM
restrictive, but I would like to write for a magazine as you get to be more
creative and I enjoy writing reviews.
12 ...but not sure which area i want to go into. First wanted to go into written film May 11, 2009 3:12 PM
journalism, after doing the broadcast module however i'm not sure if i want to
do print or broadcast.
13 because I have attained work experience on the sprots desk at the local paper May 11, 2009 3:12 PM
an involvement in a real life newsroom has made me more enthusiastic
14 It was my intention to work in the field of journalism prior to the May 11, 2009 3:14 PM
commencement of this course and remains so.
15 It is a lot more work than i first imagined May 11, 2009 3:17 PM
16 Lack of jobs May 11, 2009 3:19 PM

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 Why?
17 More opportunities for students with the abilities and knowledge of online/web May 11, 2009 3:20 PM
cultures.
18 Because I've seen the industry id worth fighting for. May 11, 2009 3:45 PM
19 Industry is failing, maybe more financially viable to take another job for a May 11, 2009 3:45 PM
while.
20 I still want to work as a journalist but am resigned to perhaps having to do this May 11, 2009 4:03 PM
freelance alongside a job in communications or PR.
21 There are more opportunities for innovation in journalism than there ever was May 11, 2009 5:02 PM
before, and as someone who lives "outside the box" journalism is more
appealing.
22 I have always been very passionate about journalism and writing, but having May 11, 2009 5:28 PM
formal training has dramatically increased my confidence across the whole
spectrum of journalistic skills. I have met so many interesting people and
made excellent contacts during my course and so I feel more dedicated to the
industry than ever.
23 Merely for personal reasons. Journalism just does not appeal to me anymore. May 11, 2009 6:15 PM
24 Since I began my course, I have learned more about the industry and May 11, 2009 6:15 PM
acquired skills htat have made me more determined than ever to go into
journalism after I graduate.
25 I've learned so much on how the media works. I am so engrossed in the news May 11, 2009 6:17 PM
gathering process and being the sole source of information to the public.
26 I'm in too deep May 11, 2009 6:17 PM
27 The uncertainty of the industry May 11, 2009 6:31 PM
28 Because I'm now more equipt to thrive in a newsroom. It's just less likely to May 11, 2009 6:32 PM
actually happen in the near future.
29 Because there are no jobs May 11, 2009 6:39 PM
30 Despite the course no being very practice-oriented, studying the theory and May 11, 2009 6:43 PM
criticism of journalism on which my course is based encourages me to look for
new ways to put it into practice.
31 Because I've wanted to be a journalist for several years now and I've worked May 11, 2009 7:10 PM
hard at university and developed many skills so I feel prepared to enter
journalism.
32 Still enjoy it, but have changed direction (no longer want to go into May 11, 2009 7:44 PM
newspapers)
33 Because despite all the negativity about trying to get a "media" career right May 11, 2009 8:39 PM
now, it's the only thing I really want to do and have done since I was 13. I'm
not one for giving up easily.
34 I've learnt valuable skills and have had experience of what I would like to end May 11, 2009 8:53 PM
up doing for a career.
35 I don't feel the course has prepared me for the career that i originally had in May 11, 2009 9:23 PM
mind
36 I can see that, despite the dim job prospects, journalism is transforming into May 11, 2009 9:35 PM
one of the most interesting careers I could have.
37 I have worked temporary on a online newspaper, when I finished I realised I May 11, 2009 11:05 PM
was definately born to be a journalist.
38 It is the only thing I know I will get up for everyday. May 11, 2009 11:14 PM
39 No longer interested in the subject May 12, 2009 8:16 AM
40 No longer interested in the subject May 12, 2009 8:16 AM
41 It is not what I expected and it has put me off this as a career. May 12, 2009 8:18 AM
42 I would see it as a waste of time and effort not using skills i have learned and May 12, 2009 8:19 AM
will learn in all of my degree
43 Because I'm a good journalist May 12, 2009 8:20 AM
44 Current economic climate. May 12, 2009 8:20 AM
45 I enjoy writing about things I am interested in. May 12, 2009 8:21 AM

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 Why?
46 considering other media jobs that are related i.e. media officer etc also I would May 12, 2009 9:37 AM
like to be a resarcher.
47 Although the course has not further encouraged me, I still have a passion for May 12, 2009 10:52 AM
sport and music, and would still love to find a job writing about either.
48 Not really interested in news reporting. Loss of enthusiasm for the course May 12, 2009 10:52 AM
49 Im enthusiastic about sport (football) and would like a job which involves May 12, 2009 10:52 AM
writing about it.
50 hate shorthand May 12, 2009 10:53 AM
51 Because it's an innovative and exciting industry that is forever changing, and May 12, 2009 10:53 AM
its the one thing that keeps me interested from day to day. My only problem is
the rubbish pay that trainee journalists seem to get!
52 I have learnt a lot about the job of journalism and it seems fulfilling and a job May 12, 2009 10:53 AM
which will be a lot of fun.
53 I would like to develop my own magazine, based on the online one I currently May 12, 2009 10:57 AM
have. I enjoy the creative side of journalism and would love to be able to
create a unique magazine and have control over editorial content. I am heavily
interested in the design side to magazines (colours, layout, artwork etc).

On the other hand I am also interested in becoming a screen writer after

taking the course last semester because I thoroughly enjoyed it and I have a
lot of script ideas.
54 I don't think I have the passion to embark on a career in the field. I am May 12, 2009 11:24 AM
enthusiastic about features and enthusiastic about coming up with ideas
because they resonate and engage me, but trying to source filler news stories
every day would still not appeal even if I had to plunge into Penelope Cruz's
vagina to get them. Combined with the fact that competition is only going to
become more fierce as jobs become scarce, I am not sure that I am best
suited to the job.
55 It has opened my eyes more to the reality of journalism. It's easy to see that May 12, 2009 4:52 PM
there is much more effort needed for little reward.
56 The job market has put me off as well as the fact that the course I am on is May 13, 2009 8:17 AM
very much geared towards local news journalism and having spent time on
work experience on local news desks I am unsure it is what I want to do.
57 Three years of being taught absolutely nothing at all has led me to believe the May 13, 2009 2:38 PM
job is awful.
58 Because the pay level is quite low and there are so few jobs around May 13, 2009 4:24 PM
59 I had a narrow idea of what publications I wanted to work when my course May 14, 2009 5:20 PM
started. But I have found I have enjoyed so many aspects of the course I see I
could enjoy working anywhere!
60 After spending a year teaching English in France I feel that is what I wish to May 14, 2009 5:23 PM
pursue presently although I would be very interested to go into an area of
journalism in a couple of years.
61 because the course has provided me with a taste of what my day to day life May 14, 2009 5:27 PM
would be as a journalist... and i love it!
62 I am worried about the job market and I don't want to be unemployed for a May 14, 2009 5:31 PM
long period of time.
63 I am going into teaching next year as part of a graduate 'Teach First' (teach May 14, 2009 5:43 PM
before you go into your preferred employment) programme, because journo
prospects look grim at the moment. But I will snap at the chance to get back
into it during/ after the 2 year teaching course.
64 With the current shortage of jobs, I am also considering production. May 14, 2009 5:54 PM
65 It is not well-paid enough for all the stress and pain you have to go through. May 14, 2009 6:03 PM
We are also repeatedly told that we will probably not get a job 'due to the
current economic climate'. I have also realised that journalism = lies and that it
is quasi impossible to hold on to your ideals and ethics in such a job. If the
course is in any way related to the real world,... Simply: I used to love it, now I
hate it.
66 I am more interested in the legal side of the media now May 14, 2009 6:39 PM

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 Why?
67 I still want to go into journalism although I would also entertain the idae of May 14, 2009 6:53 PM
going into PR or Communications roles as well.
68 Because I have had the experience to see what I prefer. It has given me May 14, 2009 7:01 PM
greater opportunities and I have become very involved in the University radio.
69 Because of the pay May 14, 2009 7:08 PM
70 I didn't want to until I did work experience which gave me a new found May 14, 2009 7:50 PM
enthusiasm.
71 The course has confirmed that it is the job that I would love to do. May 14, 2009 8:09 PM
72 It is what I am interested in and what I enjoy doing. May 14, 2009 8:43 PM
73 To put my newly-learnt skills into practice. May 14, 2009 8:59 PM
74 I think it is an important career and one which I enjoy, I can't see me doing May 14, 2009 9:19 PM
anything else.
75 I greatly enjoy my course and look forward to putting the skills I am learning May 14, 2009 10:02 PM
into practice
76 The pay is terrible and the prospect of getting a job rather bleak. May 14, 2009 10:05 PM
77 Journalism is a lot more work than it seems! May 14, 2009 11:42 PM
You pursue a hundred leads, to get one great story.
78 The salary is the most off-putting aspect. I am more likely to go into PR. May 15, 2009 1:02 AM
79 Because I still think I can be the best in the world at it. May 15, 2009 9:08 AM
80 Job prospects - nothing available, even in London (which I was never keen on May 15, 2009 10:09 AM
anyway!)
81 It's becoming more and more interesting, the more I learn. May 15, 2009 11:48 AM
82 I've always wanted to be a journalist and the course has made me want to do May 15, 2009 4:43 PM
it even more.
83 I'm not sure I have the relevant personal characteristics. May 16, 2009 1:20 PM
84 Not very well paid, hard to get into if you want to do well. May 16, 2009 2:23 PM
85 I am starting up as a freelance web designer and search engine optimiser- May 16, 2009 3:30 PM
there is a certain level of content writing involved, but not necessarily
'journalism'
86 Primarily due to the economic climate, but also realising that 'the media' is May 16, 2009 3:57 PM
quite a wide industry, and different from what could be seen as 'pure
journalism.'
The course has certainly made me realise that I'm not the most technical
person ever, and certainly don't want to go into that area.
For me, my interest is as much in the media itself as journalism. The industry,
the way it changes, new media, it's role in society and in politics, and in the
developing world, is all of great interest to me. But that doesn't necessarily,
unfortunately, translate into skills.
87 There are so many oppportunities available within Media that can be May 16, 2009 4:34 PM
accessed through Journalism.
88 I feel that my industry needs me more than ever. May 19, 2009 12:12 AM
89 Jobs are fewer then they were at the beginning of the course, and jobs that May 19, 2009 10:31 AM
still exist are more demanding than ever, for not any more pay.
90 I think it can help me improve my social or the other skills in my life and very Jun 16, 2009 2:10 AM
interested.
91 I have passion about it. Jun 19, 2009 7:56 AM

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