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Culture, Arts and Media

Media Experience

A good way to get relevant and practical experience in this area is through the MEDIA (Media Employability Development In Action) Programme, available to AHSS students in first and second year. 

The Gown and The Tab are also opportunities to write and be published.

What skills do I need?

Skills:

- Strong communication,

- Organisational &team work skills

- Practical and technical skills

- Entrepreneurial skills and commercial awareness.

Personal qualities:

Ability to evaluate & self-reflect

- Flexibility & perseverance.

- A driving licence might also be a requirement for some roles.

Creative Arts graduates are more likely to be self-employed or work freelance. A relevant degree can increase your chances of success. However, talent, enthusiasm, determination and experience can be just as important.

Industry-specific courses may boost your chances of finding a job, by giving you practical and technical skills in areas that are in demand such as digital media and film & music technologies.

For journalism you will need qualifications from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), either as part of a first degree, a Master’s or as a stand-alone professional qualification. For management and administration roles a business degree can be useful.

The ScreenSkills Select College and University Courses directory lists accredited degree and postgraduate courses that are endorsed by the industry. This website is also a good source of information on creative and media careers.

Building up experience

You’ll need to be proactive in hunting down opportunities.

Build up a portfolio of work experience - and get yourself known.

Raise your profile online and face to face. 

Stating passion isn’t enough, you have to be able to show it and prove it.

  • Follow organisations/groups on Facebook, Twitter.
  • Attend industry events, screenings, and festivals.
  • Enter competitions. You’ll need to keep up to date with relevant publications and social media to see these advertised with their criteria and deadlines.
  • Connect with relevant groups on LinkedIn. Follow, like and comment on posts, your activity record will be visible to employers.
  • Contact organisations speculatively to show interest.
  • Seek out internships and opportunities to volunteer.
  • Larger companies including: the BBC, Channel 4, RTE, Virgin Media offer work experience and internship opportunities – but these are very competitive. Smaller independent production companies, theatre groups and orchestras may accept speculative approaches.
  • Get involved in student media, drama and musical ensembles at university or at community level. Check out the QUB Students Union Clubs and Societies
  • Writing your own blog or commenting on others peoples' blogs can also get you noticed by employers.
  • Creativity, originality and innovation are vital for success.
Explore potential roles:
Broadcast Journalist

Research, investigate and present news and current affairs content for television, radio and the internet.
Broadcast Presenter

The public face, or voice, of programmes broadcast on television, radio and the internet.
Commissioning Editor

Identify books or media products to publish in order to build up a publisher's list, commission work by finding authors or responding to book proposals, rather like that of a buyer.

 
Editorial Assistant

Requires excellent grammar and communication skills and a keen interest in publishing.

 

 
Lexicographer

Write, compile and edit dictionaries for both print and online publication. These include English for native speakers, English for learners of English, technical, e.g. law and bilingual, for native speakers or learners of English.
Magazine Features Editor

Responsible for the content and quality of their publication and ensures that stories are engaging and informative.

 
Media Planner

Identify which media platforms would best advertise a client's brand or product. They work within advertising agencies or media planning and buying agencies.

 

 
Newspaper Journalist

Research and write stories for national, regional and local press. On smaller newspapers journalists have to multitask; they may work on layout, photography and sub-editing as well as write stories.
Programme / Media Researcher

Provides support to the producer and production team, including contribute ideas for programmes, source contacts and contributors, collect, verify and prepare information for film, television and radio productions
Performing Arts

Music performance, Composition, Music Therapy, Performing Arts
Arts Administration & Management

Project management, Fundraising and Sponsorship, Promotion
Media and Internet

TV, Radio, Film, Journalism, Digital Media
Teaching & Academia

Academic research, Primary, Secondary, Further and Higher Education, Sector Specific Education Officers
Social Media Manager

Social media managers lead an organisation's social media strategy in order to boost visibility and customer and client engagement
Work in publishing

To land a publishing job you'll need to be confident, qualified and ambitious, with a passion for reading books as well as knowledge of industry trends and your target audience. 
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