In search of a work experience placement this year, I’ve sent out numerous letters to various news publications in Birmingham. I have a good CV and my letters are convincing but I’m not having any luck. However, there is a similar theme running through the reply letters I am receiving.
‘I’m sorry, due to the ever growing number of applicants, we can only accept candidates from a course run by the National Council for the Training of Journalists.’
As a student who is not on such a course, this is slightly worrying!
What does this mean for my future job prospects? Where will it leave me when I’m searching for a job, if a degree may not be enough?
It seems we’ll need an NCTJ qualification as well, despite any work experience, just to get a news agency to consider us as potential employees.
Rach's ENO Blog 
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April 27, 2007 at 2:14 pm
James Dixon
Rach,
The NCTJ exam is a very simple process, all you need to do is read McNae’s Essential Law For Journalists (published by Oxford. Then do the exam, I’m sure you can probably organsise this through your university. Don’t be too scared at the prospect or annoyed that yuou don’t have the NCTJ. Make some inquiries.
Good luck
James
Broadcast Journalism Student
Staffs Uni
April 30, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Amal
i am having the same issues as you. its silly because whatever the nctj teaches, we already learn in uni, so whats the point of paying extra for learning nothing new in return. nctj should be for ppl who do not have degrees in journalism. anyways, james input is quite vital. if we can take the exams privately it should be good!