Choosing what to study at university can be a huge challenge. You’ll be there for at least three years of your life, so you’ve got to think about it very carefully, right?
Many students – including me – opt to study for a degree in something that they find interesting, as opposed to the career prospects afterwards.
Now that I’m set to graduate with a Multimedia Journalism degree in just two months’ time, it’s time to consider some viable career options.
The past three years at university have helped me to develop a huge range of transferable skills, such as communication, writing and editing. All of these skills can be applied to jobs that don’t appear to have a direct link to the course.
Here are five potential career options for students with a degree in Multimedia Journalism:
Broadcast Journalist
Maybe progressing into a career as a journalist is for you. If you have confidence in front of a camera and an ‘on air’ presence, you could work towards becoming a broadcast journalist.
The role:
As a broadcast journalist, your role is rooted in communication, finding stories and making them known to the public in a fast but coherent way.
The University of Salford’s Journalism course prepares you for this kind of career.
Example of responsibilities:
- Generating ideas for stories and features and following leads from news agencies, the police, the public, press conferences and other sources;
- Pitching ideas to editors and commissioners;
- Researching, verifying and collating evidence and information to support a story using relevant information sources such as the internet, archives, databases, etc.
Expected salary:
Starting salaries vary significantly between local and national broadcasters but can range from around £15,000 to £24,000.
Public Relations Assistant
If you’re a creative communicator who thrives on maintaining a positive reputation, PR could be the route for you.
The Journalism course at the University of Salford offers a Journalism & PR module in final year, meaning you’ll pick up the basic skills and information required for this kind of role.
The role:
Public relations is about managing reputation. A career in PR involves gaining understanding and support for your clients, as well as trying to influence opinion and behaviour.
Example of responsibilities:
- Researching, writing and distributing press releases to targeted media;
- Coordinating photo opportunities;
- Collating and analysing media coverage.
Expected salary:
The average salary range for a PR assistant is around £18,000 to £20,000.
Publishing Rights Assistant
If you have the ability to persuade and influence, as well as lots of commercial awareness, then a career in publishing could be what you’re looking for.
A love of books is a definite bonus too!
The role:
Those involved with rights develop and oversee publishing rights for books and related products in order to ensure that a publishing company makes a maximum profit.
Example of responsibilities:
- Developing new links with UK-based and overseas publishers;
- Assessing the financial viability of agreements;
- Preparing for and attending major trade events, such as book fairs, to make new contacts and sell publications.
Expected salary:
An entry-level rights assistant would typically start on a salary of around £18,000. Pay may be slightly lower in smaller companies.
Advertising Copywriter
If you can demonstrate logic, creativity and imagination, working as an advertising copywriter could be an option for you.
The role:
Advertising copywriters generally work alongside an art director within the creative department of an advertising, media or full-service agency. They work with client briefs to conceive, develop and produce effective advertising campaigns.
Example of responsibilities:
- Liaising with clients and interpreting their briefs;
- Developing creative ideas and concepts, often in partnership with the art director;
- Presenting ideas to colleagues and clients.
Expected salary:
Starting salaries for a junior copywriter fall between £20,000 and £25,000 a year.
Multimedia Specialist
You’ll need a combination of creative and technical skills to work as a multimedia specialist. By exploring radio, television, print and online, the Journalism course at Salford will set you up for this!
The role:
As a multimedia specialist, you’ll design and develop multimedia applications, systems and products that entertain, educate, persuade or inform the user.
Example of responsibilities:
- Create design ideas using computer-based design packages such as Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, After Effects, Dreamweaver, Flash Player and 3D Flash Animator, Apple Final Cut Pro X and Avid audio production software;
- Advise clients on what is technically possible and produce a proposal including, for example, the range and scope of the work and realistic timescales and costs;
- Produce finished design work and present final designs to clients.
Expected salary:
Salaries range from £21,000 to £24,000, rising to £28,000 with experience.
Visit the University of Salford’s Careers & Employability website for further guidance.
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