Need Adventure - Army or Journalism?

[jamesholland]

Hey,

I’m having a bit of a dilemma over career choices currently, and have several weeks to make an important decision!


I’m about to finish a BA in International Relations and Politics at the University of Plymouth. I’ve worked at around 5 different newspapers/press agencies, one of which I have spent extended periods with and was nominated by my university for the NUS Student Journalism award.

My initial attraction to journalism was that of Hunter S. Thompson characters, as well as foreign correspondents such as John Simpson, National Geographic journalists and all other characters that seem to be able to make a living whilst exploring and living in different places. Spending a couple of months in Thailand last summer has cemented this inspiration.

Is it possible to get into these high-flying roles at the BBC without coming from a top University? Also, do you NEED a foreign language? Simpson does not, as far as I know.

I do NOT enjoy tabloid journalism. I want to write about things that matter – politics, morality and real human stories are what I enjoy discussing, which all seem to be of little concern to the newsrooms I have worked in. Equally, creativity, travel and real cultural stimulation are very important – again, this has little to do with giant rabbits and the odd murder story.

I will happily sign up to an NCTJ course in London and do several years with a press agency, working hard, if I can be confident that I have a chance of securing a career that allows me to write about genuinely meaningful stories or adventure. Not sitting at a desk in England turning meaningless stories into marketed trash - deliberately aimed at people with little education.

I’m sorry if I’m treading on toes here, but I’m trying to be honest. There are some great journalists and publications out there. I’d particularly love to work for National Geographic or as a foreign correspondent, but with no foreign languages or specific sciences under my belt I fear I am limited.

Particularly with the current economic climate – being left jobless at the end of an NCTJ that (including travel) will cost over £7000, which my Dad will therefore expect me to pursue with a directly relevant career is not an attractive prospect.

Have I been naive in my perception of what a career in journalism entails? I’m sure the things I want to do are the luxury of a small elite of journalists – but how accessible are they?

The Army and Officer Training is starting to become a very attractive prospect – mainly for the travel, adventure and physical training.

This is what a journalist on an army forum said:

“If you are set on having some adventure in your career I can't really recommend journalism. I worked as a travel writer for a nationally circulated magazine and whilst the press trips were great fun you are unlikely to come across many trips that are within the realms of climbing Everest.


“From my own personal experience working in the print media means flying a desk (my very first travel writing assignment about walking holidays in Denmark was written from a desk in the south of England). I'm currently in the application process to join the Army as I'm bored to tears by sitting at a desk re-hashing press releases or such like and would rather get out and do something a bit more meaningful.”

Having made this investment into journalism so far, I’d like for it to be the right career move. But I’m really very confused – and have several weeks before I need to enroll in a September NCTJ course!


I’m just trying to find what makes me most fulfilled – sadly doing Officer Training AND and NCTJ before deciding is not an option!

Working for a press agency supplying nationals did NOT stretch me. I write in a broadsheet style and find it hard to be inspired by things that don’t appear to have any meaning, purpose or sense of intrigue. The abilities I do have – such as political and sociological understanding were given NO chance to be flexed.


Many Thanks for your advice